Renee Wasylyk, CEO, Troika Developments; Jill Earthy, Regional Director, Futurepreneur; Laurel Douglas, CEO, Women’s Enterprise Centre; of Labour and Minister Responsible for Status of Women, Dr. Kellie Leitch; MP Kelowna Lake Country, Ron Cannan.
Image Credit: Contributed
December 17, 2014 - 2:58 PM
KELOWNA - Minister of Labour and Minister Responsible for the Status of Women, Dr. Kellie Leitch, today announced $200,650 in funding for Women’s Enterprise Centre (WEC).
The funds will be used in B.C. regions to continue discussions which began at the BC Economic Forum: Women as a Catalyst for Growth, held in Vancouver in October 2014. This working forum focused on barriers and action plans to grow more women in senior leadership, more women entrepreneurs and encourage more women into trades and emerging sectors.
The Forum was designed to highlight opportunities here in BC to support women in business and advance the conversation into action strategies for economic growth.
The Forum was led by Jill Earthy, Co-Chair of the WEB Alliance of Women’s Business Networks (www.weballiance.ca) and Lois Nahirney, Chair of Premier’s Women’s Economic Council (PWEC). This unique working session brought more than 400 men and women community leaders and influencers together for in-depth discussions to identify barriers and potential solutions to ensure that women are fully participating in the BC economy - in business, on boards and in growing industries.
The project funding announced today will allow women from all regions of the province to have their voices heard and identify ideas for action by government, corporations and individuals in three key areas: Growing Women in Senior Leadership, Growing Women Entrepreneurs and Growing women in Non-Traditional jobs and Emerging Sectors. This project will allow unique solutions and resources to be developed to address some of these issues.
“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 acrossCanada,” said the Honourable Dr. K. Kellie Leitch, Minister of Labour and Minister of Status of Women at the funding announcement today in Kelowna.
“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 technical trades and emerging sectors. This initiative will build on the excellent work that began at the BC Economic Forum in October 2014,” responded Laurel Douglas, CEO of BC-based Women's Enterprise Centre.
The business case for women’s full participation in the economy is very clear. Since 2004, Catalyst Inc., the leading non-profit organization with a mission to expand opportunities for women and business, has produced studies showing that companies which achieve diversity in their management and on corporate boards attain better financial results than other companies.
Women’s Enterprise Centre is the leading business resource for BC women who are starting, growing or purchasing a business. From its offices in Kelowna, Vancouver and Victoria, its team of professionals provides business loans, skills training, advice, mentors, resources and a supportive community to help women start, grow and succeed in their business. For more information about its services, upcoming workshops and events, visit www.womensenterprise.ca.
News from © iNFOnews, 2014