“My message to women entrepreneurs this International Women’s Day is simple: “If a door won’t open, kick it down.”
We are seeing signs of this already. Over the last decade, the growth of women-owned enterprises in Canada has been stronger than men’s in terms of business counts and employment.
We also know that diverse entrepreneurs – racialized women, Indigenous women, women with disabilities, and those who are non-binary or have different gender identities – face unique barriers.
Canada needs you. We know that Canada’s economic recovery will largely be driven by entrepreneurs launching and scaling new enterprises. Closing the gender gap in entrepreneurship could add up to $81 billion to Canada’s GDP.
We will continue kicking doors down with you to #BreakTheBias. The Ontario Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to creating more opportunities for women entrepreneurs, and to building more inclusive workplaces and labour market participation.“
A special IWD message from Michelle Eaton Click To Tweet
Michelle Eaton
Vice President of Public Affairs at the Ontario Chamber of Commerce
A communications and public affairs professional for close to 15 years, Michelle Eaton joined the OCC team in 2018 as Vice President of Communications and Government Relations.
Michelle brings extensive leadership experience from both the public and private sectors. She has provided strategic direction, vision, and advice on communications and public affairs strategies to executives in multinational Fortune 500 Companies as well as senior federal cabinet ministers. Michelle is also the Chair of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation.
Michelle has a BA (Hons) in Political Science and French from Western University as well as an Executive Master of Business Administration from Ivey Business School.
Born and raised on a farm in Southwestern Ontario, she is also intimately familiar with the needs and issues of rural and small-town Ontario. Michelle currently resides in Toronto with her husband, Thor.
