Harper Government Supports Economic Opportunities for Women in Guelph

GUELPH, ON, March 18, 2014 /CNW/ - The Honourable Dr. K. Kellie Leitch, Minister of Labour and Minister of Status of Women, along with Peter Braid, Member of Parliament for Kitchener-Waterloo, today announced Government of Canada support for women entrepreneurs in the region of Guelph, Ontario.

Innovation Guelph is receiving funding to improve services that assist women business owners, or women interested in becoming entrepreneurs in the Guelph area. The organization will collaborate with other business support agencies, municipal and county authorities, academic institutions, and women to explore barriers to successful entrepreneurship. Strategies to overcome these barriers will be developed and tested through women-led working groups, and the creation of specialized peer innovation and entrepreneurship networks. This project was selected through the Government of Canada's recent call for proposals entitled Opening Doors: Economic Opportunities for Women.

Quick Facts

• Status of Women Canada is providing $149,000 to Innovation Guelph for this project.
  
• Since 2007, the Harper Government has delivered more than $53 million through the Women's Program at Status of Women Canada for projects that specifically focus on improving women's economic security and prosperity, including more than $9 million for projects which address women's entrepreneurship.
  
• Through Status of Women Canada, federal funding of community-based projects has nearly doubled since 2006-2007, supporting more than 680 projects across Canada.

Quotes

"The number one priority of our Government is jobs, growth and long-term prosperity. That is why we continue to support new projects that will help expand and promote greater economic opportunities for women in communities across Canada."

The Honourable Dr. K. Kellie Leitch
Minister of Labour and Minister of Status of Women

"Innovation Guelph is a very important organization in this community, so I am proud that our Government is collaborating with them to create new economic opportunities for women entrepreneurs here in the Guelph area."

Peter Braid
Member of Parliament, Kitchener-Waterloo

"We are pleased to partner with the Government of Canada on this project so that more women in the Guelph area can pursue economic opportunities as entrepreneurs. We look forward to collaborating with local businesses and other stakeholders to help women achieve this goal."

Dr. James Doran
Chief Operating Officer, Innovation Guelph

Related Products

• Call for Proposals: Opening Doors: Economic Opportunities for Women

Additional Links

• Information About Status of Women Canada at women.gc.ca

Ce texte est également disponible en français.

For news releases and information on Status of Women Canada, go to women.gc.ca.

SOURCE: Status of Women Canada

For media inquiries only: Barbara Mottram, Director of Communications, Office of the Hon. Dr. K. Kellie Leitch, P.C., O.Ont., M.P., Minister of Labour and Minister of Status of Women, Tel: [phone]; For all other inquiries: Nanci-Jean Waugh, Director General, Communications and Public Affairs, Status of Women Canada, Tel: [phone]