For Immediate Release August 15, 2019

“The women entrepreneurs and business leaders of Innovation Guelph make incredible contributions to our economy and community every day. I’m proud to be a part of a Liberal government that takes women’s economic empowerment seriously. From tackling pay equity to modernizing parental leave, this government is taking action on gender equality because when women succeed, we all succeed. I am excited to see what the future holds for the women at Innovation Guelph. ” – Lloyd Longfield, Member of Parliament for Guelph 

The Government of Canada is advancing women’s economic empowerment with the first ever Women Entrepreneurship Strategy, a $2-billion investment that seeks to double the number of women-owned businesses by 2025. 

Today MP Longfield, joined local women entrepreneurs and business leaders to share how the federal government is helping women succeed. 

[Above Photo] Tania Del Matto, Greenhouse, St. Paul’s College, University of Waterloo, Kristel Manes, Executive Director, Guelph Wellington Business Center, MP Lloyd Longfield, Anne Toner Fung, Executive Director Innovation Guelph

“Since 2012, Innovation Guelph has been committed to increasing the number of women entrepreneurs, bolstering their entrepreneurial skills, addressing their unique challenges and helping them succeed. This funding is an exciting opportunity to extend our reach, with our partners, to have a greater impact supporting women business leaders.” – Anne Toner Fung, executive director, Innovation Guelph 

Innovation Guelph has a proven history of enabling women business owners through their Rhyze® programs. The original Rhyze Project was undertaken to help women build financial capital, business skills, peer networks and confidence. Innovation Guelph (together with delivery partners Business Centre Guelph-Wellington, GreenHouse of St. Paul’s College, University of Waterloo and the Waterloo Region Small Business Centre) is now developing new Rhyze programming to support women entrepreneurs, including local start-ups, social enterprises and innovation driven, scalable companies. The funding being announced today will enable Innovation Guelph to offer this and other programs designed for women entrepreneurs. 

“Our government believes that women’s economic empowerment is not just the right thing to do, it’s good for the bottom line. That’s why we launched the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy, a strategy that seeks to double the number of women-owned businesses by increasing their access to financing, networks and advice. It’s a smart investment with an economic and social return. I’m proud to say that there is no better government under which to be a woman in Canada’s history.” – The Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business and Export Promotion 

The Women Entrepreneurship Strategy compliments the Government of Canada’s efforts to advance gender equality, which include addressing pay equity, providing more affordable childcare and putting an end to gender-based violence. 

“If we want Canada’s economy to run on all cylinders, everyone must have the opportunity to succeed. Our government’s Women Entrepreneurship Strategy will help business women reach their highest potential and provide their full contribution to our economy by supporting them with the tools they need to grow their businesses and create jobs.” – The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development 

[Above Photo] MP Longfield talks with entrepreneurs after the announcement

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