Creating a women's entrepreneurship strategy for Canada with Honourable Mary Ng.

The full and equal participation of women in the economy is not just the right thing to do; it's the smart thing to do. Studies show that by advancing gender equality and women's participation in the economy, Canada could add up to $150 billion in GDP. Only 16% of Canadian small and medium-sized businesses are owned by women, and the Government of Canada is working to change that. The government is advancing women's economic empowerment with the first ever Women Entrepreneurship Strategy (WES), a more than $6-billion investment that aims to increase women-owned businesses' access to the financing, talent, networks and expertise they need to start up, scale up and access new markets. In this episode, Shannon sits down with Minister Ng to talk about why Canada established a women’s entrepreneurship strategy, the need for gender focused policy versus gender mainstream policy, why Canada is seen as a leader in women’s entrepreneurship, and the important role that Canadian women play in our economy, communities, families and more. The Honourable Mary Ng was first elected as Member of Parliament for Markham—Thornhill in 2017. She has previously served as Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade. Minister Ng is a devoted community leader who has always believed in the power of public service. She has 20 years of experience in the areas of education, women’s leadership, job creation, and entrepreneurship. Minister Ng immigrated to Canada from Hong Kong with her family, and grew up learning about the struggle and eventual success that many new immigrants experience in Canada. Her years working for the Ontario Public Service, Ryerson University, and the Ontario Ministry of Education led to her being recognized as one of Canada’s top-performing public sector leaders. She later served as Director of Appointments for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Thanks again to our podcast sponsor the Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub. We hope you found this episode insightful and empowering for your entrepreneurial journey. Follow us on social media and visit our website to learn more about our financial literacy program designed specifically for you. Remember, use the code PODCAST10 to save 10% off at www.thefinancecafe.ca Instagram: @thefinancecafeofficial LinkedIn: The Finance Cafe