Mr. Speaker, in this International Women's Week I would like to highlight the contributions of women entrepreneurs in Canadian society.
An important priority of this government is the implementation of measures to stimulate small and medium sized businesses which we know have accounted for 85 per cent of new job creation since 1979.
Between 1973 and 1993 the number of self-employed women skyrocketed from 89,000 to 323,000. In 1991 over 30 per cent of the self-employed workforce was made up of women. The success rate of women entrepreneurs is twice that of men.
We have every reason to applaud the women in this land who have taken the plunge into self-employment, thereby providing themselves employment and employment for others. Despite obstacles, many more will join their ranks.
It is important that we have identified the issues and that this government support where it can self-employment for those in Canadian society who take on this challenge and opportunity.