Thank you, Madam Chair. Thanks to all the witnesses for a very informative session today.
My question is for both the witnesses, Ms. Labelle and Ms. Pohlmann.
We all know that for Canada and its economy to develop sustainably, more women and under-represented communities must be involved in entrepreneurship and must contribute to their full potential.
I represent a riding that is called home by people from all parts of the world. I see and talk to women entrepreneurs who are from under-represented communities—minority women and new immigrants. We all know that this pandemic has added more responsibility and stress on the shoulders of women. If the kids are not going to school, they have to take care to make sure they are looked after, even if they are doing online classes. In the case of younger kids, they have to be supervised. Many new immigrant families are three-generation families. I see women from South Asian communities in my riding who have their parents also at home. As things have been very difficult for our seniors, it's an added responsibility for the women to look after their parents as well.
Do you have any recommendations on how we can help this group of women entrepreneurs? Is there any data on how this pandemic has adversely affected them? I would like to hear from both of you, if you would give some recommendations as we now try to build back a more resilient Canada where everyone is included. How and what can we do to represent and to help those under-represented women?
I will start with Ms. Pohlmann, if you have any suggestions, and then go to Ms. Labelle.