Again, thank you for the question.
I was delighted to see this opportunity that was presented in economic action plan 2014. It was very forward-looking, I think, for the former minister of finance, Jim Flaherty, as well as the Prime Minister to be focused on women entrepreneurs and their enormous potential.
As I mentioned just a few minutes ago, we know that Canadian women-led businesses employ 1.5 million Canadians. We know that they actually hire more women into their firms. We know that they generated $148 billion in economic wealth in our country just a few years ago, and that continues to rise. These firms, these women, punch well above their weight. The investment that we're making is in developing a mentorship and sponsorship program so that more women can be supported to make sure that not only do they begin and start up their business but they can maintain it and grow it, employing more Canadians and providing an excellent quality of life for their families.
I'm delighted with this new program. I encourage all parliamentarians and other Canadians to please suggest to us who we should talk to in order to build a robust and focused program. I've been hearing from women and men across the country on how to develop the best mentorship program we can have in the country. If you have suggestions or ideas, I welcome them at any time.