Some of the most important conversations are the ones where we take the time to listen directly to the people doing the work every day.

I was pleased to join the Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub for a roundtable with women entrepreneurs and business leaders from across Canada. We heard firsthand about the opportunities and challenges women continue to face when starting, growing, and scaling their businesses, including access to capital, mentorship, networks, and the supports needed at different stages of their entrepreneurial journey.

These conversations are especially important as we shape the next chapter of the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy. Our government recently renewed the Strategy with a $173.7 million investment over five years, including $7 million for the Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub, to continue expanding access to financing, training, mentorship, research, and business networks for women entrepreneurs.

As a former entrepreneur myself, I know how valuable it can be to have the right support, connections, and opportunities at the right time. Hearing directly from women business owners helps ensure that the programs we build respond to their experiences and the realities they face.

Thank you to WEKH, Dr. Wendy Cukier, and all the entrepreneurs and business leaders who shared their experiences and ideas with us. Your voices are helping shape our work to build an economy where more women-owned businesses can start, grow, and succeed.