Government Operations Committee on April 24th, 2018

[Elyse Allan]

I would simply say that the tendency is for women to build networks among women. One of the things we really want to encourage is that we're not looking to necessarily create accelerators just for women. We actually want to do whatever we can to encourage women to network in safe environments formed with men, so that they can build their network and build access to more business.

That's one of the areas of focus in the recommendations around accelerators and hubs, that while there might be special training or areas of focus for women where we do see they could use some help or additional development, in fact what we want to do is help women and men network together—

[Alexandra Mendes, Liberal, Brossard—Saint-Lambert, QC]

Yes.

[Elyse Allan]

—so that we broaden their network.

[Alexandra Mendes, Liberal, Brossard—Saint-Lambert, QC]

From what I read in the report, it's creating that safe space so that both women and men feel they could network.

[Elyse Allan]

Correct.

[Alexandra Mendes, Liberal, Brossard—Saint-Lambert, QC]

That's a big challenge. That seems to be a big challenge, no?

[Elyse Allan]

The Consul General in New York, when she spoke to us in one of our round tables down there, gave some excellent examples of the programs that they are running in New York City for Canadians and for Canadian women. That did allow, to your point, safe networking, and we think that's a vital role that accelerators and hubs can play. They can facilitate and help build and create that trusting environment. That's ultimately what we need to do, create more and more trust between men and women so that they're comfortable doing business together.

[Alexandra Mendes, Liberal, Brossard—Saint-Lambert, QC]

Together, yes, and definitely increase the 7%. That was quite a shock to find out that it's only 7%.

[Annette Verschuren]

Yes, of women-owned businesses of more than 100 employees. That's a big challenge.

[Alexandra Mendes, Liberal, Brossard—Saint-Lambert, QC]

Yet they are 50% of the founders.

[Annette Verschuren]

They are 50% of new businesses that are started. Many of them are service-oriented businesses; we have to look at the sectors very much. It is true, and the profitable performance of these companies is also very positive relative to male-owned.

[Alexandra Mendes, Liberal, Brossard—Saint-Lambert, QC]

Do you mean those 7%?

[Annette Verschuren]

The 7%.

[Alexandra Mendes, Liberal, Brossard—Saint-Lambert, QC]

The profitable portrait is very different—

[Annette Verschuren]

Yes, the profitability of companies that have women founders is 63% more profitable, from a 10-year study, so we know it can be done. It really can.

One thing I would like to say is that the engagement of men is so extraordinarily important in this discussion. You have no idea. Women talk to women too much about this. One of the things that Elyse and I did was start a hashtag, #WeNeedBoth. We have asked women to say, “Look, I'm not going to sit on a panel and just talk to women without a man with me.” We're asking men to say they will participate in this. The discussion needs to go beyond women. This discussion needs to be much more honest, direct, and frank with men. This is something we really feel strongly about.

I see that we have many men in this group. I really want to say to you all that we need to talk about this, because this is an economic opportunity to bring more leadership in our community, bring more participation of women. There is a direct economic impact that will help our productivity in our country and help our economy. The participation of men is one thing that Elyse and I really want to deliver home to you.

[Alexandra Mendes, Liberal, Brossard—Saint-Lambert, QC]

We have the collection of data on the business world. Now we need to start collecting data on the government side, if I understand correctly.

[Annette Verschuren]

Yes.

[Alexandra Mendes, Liberal, Brossard—Saint-Lambert, QC]

That has not been done.

[Annette Verschuren]

I don't know.

Elyse, is the data on the private sector side that rigorous in terms of collecting data on—

[Alexandra Mendes, Liberal, Brossard—Saint-Lambert, QC]

Women and—

[Annette Verschuren]

—procurement programs or diversity programs?

[The Chair, Conservative, Tom Lukiwski]

Could we have a fairly brief answer, please?

[Elyse Allan]

I don't know the answer offhand. I think we did find that in the States there was some good data that the government had and through the women-owned businesses, the people who have participated in the federal women-owned business program. That's why it's driving data collection.

[Alexandra Mendes, Liberal, Brossard—Saint-Lambert, QC]

We do have a lack here in Canada.

[Annette Verschuren]

Correct. That is one of the recommendations.