New federal funding will help improve women's economic security in Cape Breton

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Status of Women Canada

Jun 01, 2018, 09:00 ET

Project will help secure a better future for women by removing major barriers to economic stability in the region

SYDNEY, NS, June 1, 2018 /CNW/ - The Government is committed to advancing gender equality and creating more opportunities for women in all aspects of Canadian life. By investing in projects that improve women's economic security, we are helping to ensure that women, their families and communities can prosper.

Women continue to be disproportionately affected by economic insecurity. In 2015, women in Canada earned just 87 cents for every dollar earned by men. They are also much more likely to work on a part-time basis, making up 76% of all part-time workers, with 25% of women reporting childcare responsibilities as their reason for working part-time.

On behalf of the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister of Status of Women, the Honourable Mark Eyking, Member of Parliament for Sydney—Victoria and Chair of the Standing Committee on International Trade, today announced Government of Canada funding for a project that will increase women's economic security in Cape Breton. 

The Cape Breton Partnership will receive $297,700 in funding for their project, "Addressing Barriers to Successful Entrepreneurship for Women in Cape Breton". This project will help more women achieve economic security through entrepreneurship by increasing their access to support services, programs and networks. Through this project, Cape Breton Partnership will create a community of practice for women entrepreneurs, analyze the existing support system using a gender lens, conduct consultations and focus groups, and develop a gender equity action plan, among other activities. 

In October 2017, Status of Women Canada invited organizations to propose projects that support women's economic security across Canada by addressing some of the root causes of inequality, including barriers such as access to childcare, pay inequity and the gender wage gap. Through this call for proposals, entitled Support for Women's Economic Security, more than 30 projects have been approved for a total of $10 million in funding. Approved projects will unfold over a period of three years.This funding builds on our ongoing efforts to support women's economic empowerment and advance gender equality for all Canadians.

Quotes

"When women are without good jobs and stable incomes, we all bear the costs and consequences. Investing in the middle class and those working hard to join it means investing in women's economic security so they, their families, and their communities can prosper. Our government knows that when we invest in women, we strengthen the economy for everyone, and that's why these projects are so important: they are creating the right conditions for women to thrive in their careers – and their lives. By funding organizations that will target the barriers holding women back, we are ensuring that all Canadians – regardless of gender – have a real and fair chance at success."

The Honourable Maryam Monsef, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Status of Women

"When I think of the women of Cape Breton, I think of their passion, hard work, and resiliency. Yet, they still face unique challenges. I'm very pleased with the funding our government has provided to the Cape Breton Partnership, and the important work the Partnership will do to focus on addressing the barriers to success women face."

The Honourable Mark Eyking, P.C., M.P.
Member of Parliament for Sydney—Victoria
and Chair of the Standing Committee on International Trade

"Entrepreneurship is a pathway to women's economic security. Through this new funding, we are working to provide women entrepreneurs in Cape Breton with better access to support resources, programs and networks, so that they can create thriving businesses as successful entrepreneurs."

Carla Arsenault, President & CEO
Cape Breton Partnership

Quick Facts

  • RBC Economics estimates that adding more women to the workforce could boost the level of Canada's GDP by as much as 4 per cent.
  • McKinsey Global Institute estimates that by taking steps to advance equality for women—such as employing more women in technology and boosting women's participation in the workforce—Canada could add $150 billion to its economy by 2026.
  • Projects are being funded through the call for proposals, Support for Women's Economic Security, which was announced in October 2017.
  • Economic security is composed of basic social security, defined by access to basic needs such as health, education and housing.
  • More than 30 projects will receive a total of approximately $10 million in funding under this call for proposals.
  • Funded projects address institutional barriers to women's economic security including access to childcare, pay inequity and the gender wage gap.
  • The Women's Program at Status of Women Canada supports eligible organizations to carry out projects to advance equality by addressing systemic barriers.

Associated Links

Backgrounder

Status of Women Canada – Women's Program

One of the ways Status of Women Canada advances gender equality in Canada is by providing funding to eligible organizations through the Women's Program. Projects are selected via calls for proposals on specific themes, as well as through a continuous intake process that allows the Women's Program to accept applications on an ongoing basis.

The Women's Program funds projects of 36 months or less that address systemic barriers to women's equality in three priority areas: ending violence against women and girls; improving the economic security of women and girls; and encouraging women and girls in leadership roles.

Calls for Proposals – Support for Women's Economic Security and Addressing the Economic Security and Prosperity of Indigenous Women

On October 2, 2017, the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister of Status of Women, launched two calls for proposals. The first call, entitled Support for Women's Economic Security, invited organizations to apply for funding for projects to address the economic security of women and help advance gender equality in Canada. More than 30 projects will receive a total of $10 million in funding through this call for proposals.

This call for proposals is divided into two themes; the first is Building Partnerships to Address Systemic Barriers, which provides funding to address major barriers that limit women's economic security, including, but not limited to, the accessibility of childcare, the gender wage gap and pay inequity.

The second theme, Increasing Private Sector Leadership and Investments in Women, encourages organizations to partner with the private sector to find innovative solutions that will help advance women's economic security.

The second call for proposals, entitled Addressing the Economic Security and Prosperity of Indigenous Women, invited organizations to foster collaboration between Indigenous women, Indigenous organizations, their communities, and the private sector to support the economic security and prosperity of Indigenous women across Canada. The results of this call for proposals will be announced at a later date.

Funded Project

The Cape Breton Partnership works with business and communities across Cape Breton to improve economic prosperity through three core programs that connect employment seekers, young graduates and immigrants with employment opportunities.

"Addressing the Barriers to Successful Entrepreneurship for Women in Cape Breton" is a 36-month project that aims to help women entrepreneurs by increasing their use of support services and participation in programs and networks. The project's main activities include creating a community of practice for women entrepreneurs, analyzing the existing support using a gender lens, conducting consultations and focus groups, developing a gender equity action plan, knowledge sharing activities, and adapting resources for business providers.  

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SOURCE Status of Women Canada

Célia Canon, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Status of Women, 613-862-3270; Valérie Haché, Communications Officer, Status of Women Canada, 819-420-8684

Organization Profile

Status of Women Canada