Harper Government supports professional and entrepreneurial women in British Columbia

KELOWNA, BC, Dec. 16, 2014 /CNW/ - Today, the Honourable Dr. K. Kellie Leitch, Canada's Minister of Labour and Minister of Status of Women, along with Mr. Ron Cannan, Member of Parliament for Kelowna—Lake Country, announced Government of Canada support for professional and entrepreneurial women in British Columbia.

The Women's Enterprise Centre of British Columbia (WEC BC) is receiving funding for a project to increase economic opportunities for professional women and women entrepreneurs in four regions of British Columbia: Southern Interior, Northern BC, Vancouver Island, and the Lower Mainland. Working in collaboration with key partners from the business, entrepreneurial and skilled professional trade networks, the project will identify needs and implement approaches to increase access to existing and emerging opportunities for professional women and women entrepreneurs through the development of regional actions plans.

This project was selected through the Government of Canada's recent call for proposals entitled Economic Prosperity: Positioning Women for Success.

Quick Facts

• Status of Women Canada is providing $200,650 to The Women's Enterprise Centre of British Columbia for this 30-month project.
• The Government of Canada has provided over $146 million in funding through Status of Women Canada to support more than 720 projects since 2007. This includes more than $54 million invested in projects that promote women's economic security and prosperity. Of this amount, over $9 million has been for projects that address women's entrepreneurship, and $12 million for projects which support women in skilled professional trades and technical professions.

Quotes

"Our Government's number one priority is creating jobs, growth, and long-term prosperity. That's why we are pleased to support projects like this in British Columbia and across Canada that help professional and entrepreneurial women succeed and their communities to prosper."     

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

"The Government of Canada is pleased to partner with the Women's Enterprise Centre of British Columbia on this project to position women for economic success in B.C.'s Southern Interior, Northern BC, Vancouver Island, and the Lower Mainland. It is going to make a real difference in many B.C. communities."

Ron Cannan
Member of Parliament for Kelowna—Lake Country

"We are pleased to partner with the Government of Canada, and work with key stakeholders across BC to promote economic prosperity for women in senior leadership roles, women entrepreneurs, and women in skilled professional trades and technical trades and emerging sectors. This initiative will build on the excellent work that began at the BC Economic Forum in October 2014."

Laurel Douglas, CEO
Women's Enterprise Centre of British Columbia

Related Products

• Call for Proposals: Economic Prosperity: Positioning Women for Success

Additional Links

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

SOURCE: Status of Women Canada

For media inquiries only: Andrew McGrath, 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], [email protected]; For all other inquiries: Nanci-Jean Waugh, Director General, Communications and Public Affairs, Status of Women Canada, Tel: [phone]