The Honourable Stephen Owen, Secretary of State (Western Economic Diversification) (Indian Affairs and Northern Development)
endorsed the findings of the Prime Minister’s Task Force on Women Entrepreneurs, released this week, and confirmed multi-year support for the Women’s Enterprise Initiative in the West.

The Women’s Enterprise Initiative (WEI), funded by Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD), provides services tailored to the needs of women in each western province. The Initiative was one of the models examined by the Task Force.

“Studies show women are starting and expanding more businesses than ever, but we know they continue to face unique challenges,” said Secretary of State Stephen Owen. “Through the Women’s Enterprise Initiative, WD has been working closely with women entrepreneurs. Discussions are underway for the continuation of this fine program.”

Many of the Task Force recommendations already exist as services provided by the Women’s Enterprise Initiative, including access to capital, access to mentoring and networking opportunities, and access to business skills training.

The Task Force also recommended establishing Women’s Business Centres throughout Canada patterned after the Women’s Enterprise Initiative. The full report can be viewed at: http://www.liberal.parl.gc.ca/.

Western Economic Diversification Canada established the WEI in 1994 to promote entrepreneurship as a career option for women, and to identify and fill service and financing gaps facing women entrepreneurs. Delivered directly or indirectly, services are designed to improve access to financing, education and training, business advice, loan care, information, networking and mentoring.

From November 1994 to June 2003, the WEI provided 187,440 responses to requests for business information, women entrepreneurs participated in 49,829 business advisory appointments, and 45,529 women participated in training and skills development through 4,009 seminars and workshops.

More than 960 business start-up and expansion loans from WEI, totalling $25.4 million, have resulted in over 2,100 jobs created.

WEI offices are located in Kelowna, Calgary, Saskatoon and Winnipeg, with satellite offices in Vancouver, Edmonton and Regina.

Women’s Enterprise Society of B.C.: http://www.wes.bc.ca/  

Alberta Women's Enterprise Initiative Association: http://www.aweia.ab.ca/ 

Women Entrepreneurs of Saskatchewan Inc.: http://www.womenentrepreneurs.sk.ca/ 

Women’s Enterprise Centre of Manitoba: http://www.wecm.ca/

For additional information about the Women’s Enterprise Initiative contact:

Sandra Souchotte
Director, Communications
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
Tel: (613) 952-7101

Gordon Eckert
Manager, Communications
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Edmonton, Alberta
Tel: (780) 495-3370

Susan Schooley
Manager, Communications
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Vancouver, BC
Tel: (604) 666-1318

France Guimond
Manager, Communications
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Winnipeg, MB
Tel: (204) 983-6243

Joanne Mysak
Manager, Communications
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Saskatoon, SK
Tel: (306) 975-5942