Thanks to both of you for being here.
I've read your Linkedin document and your Telfer report. As we were studying the SMEs and whether the SMEs are benefiting from government procurement, we wanted a gender lens on it as well. Your presentation really shines a light on how women are really not benefiting from it. According to the Conference Board of Canada, businesses owned by women and minority groups are a dynamic component of the Canadian economy, so we want them to participate and benefit.
Last week, we had here some innovative women entrepreneurs who are facing the same challenges. They could not access one bid, not in 50 times. They never got a single contract. When one sold her AI business to a man, the guy got it, so I want to talk to you about how.... You've used the word “visualization”. What sort of metrics is visualization? How will it help government make the procurement process more attuned to women so that women find it more applicable to them? You're saying that 82% don't think of government as a contractor.
Also, in your research, have you seen women, especially the innovative ones, using OSME or BCIP?