“While the pandemic has disproportionately impacted women, they faced systematic barriers long before it. For the past six years, our government has taken action to move the dial on gender equality with historic investments including $10-a-day childcare, paid parental leave, legislating pay equity and combating gender-based violence. Our $6 billion Women Entrepreneurship Strategy is removing systemic barriers and supporting women entrepreneurs and business owners with access to financing and resources.
We are breaking down barriers for underrepresented women through Canada’s first Black Entrepreneurship Program and the $100-million Feminist Response and Recovery Fund. These investments aren’t just the right things to do; they’re the smart thing to do. Fully including women could add up to $150 billion to our economy. This International Women’s Day, we’re celebrating all women have achieved on so many fronts and looking forward to supporting their future success.”
A special IWD message from Minister Mary Ng Share on X
Minister Mary Ng
Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development
Throughout her 20 years of public service, Minister Ng has been a passionate community leader and advocate with a proven track record of results in the areas of education, women’s leadership, job creation, and entrepreneurship.
As Member of Parliament for Markham—Thornhill, Minister Ng helped to facilitate the Government’s commitment to invest in Canadian ideas and innovators in her riding by advocating for the inclusion of Markham’s tech-innovation hub, VentureLabs, in the Southern Ontario Supercluster. The Advanced Manufacturing Supercluster is expected to have a GDP impact of more than $13.5 billion in the next ten years and create more than 13,500 good, middle-class jobs in the region.
As part of her work on the Standing Committee of Industry, Science, and Technology, Minister Ng worked alongside her committee colleagues on intellectual property best practices. This work guided the Government’s launch of Canada’s first comprehensive intellectual property strategy, providing tools to support the growth of Canadian businesses domestically while ensuring their ideas are protected in the global marketplace.
Prior to serving as a Member of Parliament, Minister Ng worked as Director of Appointments in the Prime Minister’s Office. She also served as the Director of Policy in provincial education where she built relationships, negotiated with teachers’ unions, and served students while helping to improve Ontario’s education system.
Minister Ng also served in the President’s Office at Ryerson University, helping to shape new initiatives that connected students and their innovative ideas with businesses, creating quality jobs for young Canadians. She has been a speaker and panelist on topics ranging from business, innovation, women in leadership, and Canada-China relations.
