It is a pleasure to send my warmest greetings to CanadianSME Magazine and to the exceptional entrepreneurs and readers marking International Women’s Day. As Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Secretary of State for Small Business and Tourism, this day is deeply connected to my work empowering women to participate fully in Canada’s economy.
International Women’s Day is an opportunity to celebrate the progress women have made as leaders, innovators, and decision-makers, while reaffirming Canada’s commitment to build Canada strong, unlocking the full and equal participation of women in the economy.
Through the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy, half a million women have already accessed funding, built networks, gained expertise, and expanded into new markets. And through the Women Entrepreneurship Loan Fund, women entrepreneurs are accessing micro-loans of up to $50,000—capital that can mean the difference between an idea on paper and a business ready to grow.
We also know that economic participation depends on strong social support. Canada’s Early Learning and Child Care system is helping make life more affordable for families, delivering high-quality, low-cost care to 900,000 children, saving families up to $16,200 per child each year, and helping parents—especially mothers—enter and remain in the workforce.
In an increasingly divided world, advancing gender equality strengthens our economy and our country. When women succeed, Canada succeeds.
Today, let us celebrate women’s contributions across every sector and continue working together to remove barriers so women, in all their diversity, can thrive.
Happy International Women’s Day.
Rechie Valdez
Minister of Small Business of Canada
