Status of Women Committee on May 7th, 2026

[Rechie Valdez, Liberal, Mississauga—Streetsville, ON]

Yes, 100%.

Again, through our significant investments.... I've addressed gender-based violence quite a lot in this committee. To the member's question, we're really empowering women. We're giving them opportunities through the women's program and helping the organizations on the ground make sure that they are, in every respect, getting opportunities to see themselves in leadership positions.

In fact, our government put forward pay equity legislation to make sure that women can also get paid equally for the work they are doing. With regard to our women entrepreneurship strategy, I cannot tell you and stress enough in this committee how much of an impact this has made, as a former entrepreneur myself. We have already supported over 500,000 women across the country, and the good news is that our SME growth since we kicked off the strategy has increased from 17.8% back in 2023, to 20.9% just last year alone. This is significant. Again, it's amazing the impact we're seeing.

Investments are needed. We're going to make sure that the investments are going to the right places. We certainly need to continue to empower women in every which way we can.

[Juanita Nathan, Liberal, Pickering—Brooklin, ON]

Thank you.

In February, in the riding of Pickering—Brooklin, we hosted the inaugural Black entrepreneurs forum, bringing together black business owners and community members for a very important conversation about opportunities, barriers and the road ahead.

Minister Valdez, thank you again for joining us as a panellist. Your presence meant a great deal to the community.

At the forum, three themes came through clearly: the challenges of finding the right information on available funding and programs, the power of mentorship and community collaboration in building a strong entrepreneurship ecosystem, and the importance of investing in Black youth as the next generation of business leaders.

With programs that can support SMEs—like the business benefits finder, which offers eligible businesses up to $50,000 to expand into international markets—already in place, can you speak to how the national Black entrepreneurship strategy is translating these themes into concrete outcomes? What more can be done to ensure that Black entrepreneurs in the community, like ours, have equitable access to the full suite of supports available to them?

[Rechie Valdez, Liberal, Mississauga—Streetsville, ON]

I really want to thank the member for hosting an incredible Black History Month event in her riding. I got an opportunity to meet the incredible entrepreneurs from that region.

I can share that, through our Black entrepreneurship program, we have supported well over 24,000 Black entrepreneurs across the country. Through our Black entrepreneurship loan fund, we've approved more than $70 million in financing to over 800 loans to date. This has made a significant impact. We recognize that Black entrepreneurs have challenges and barriers to accessing that type of support.

I know the member does not know this, but I have good news. Since that event, the Stagecoach performing arts school for kids in Ajax and Pickering is planning to expand into the Durham region in 2027. I wanted to share a good news story that's a result of the event she hosted in her region.

Our government will do everything we can to continue to create an inclusive economy and an inclusive environment where every Canadian can become an entrepreneur. Our women entrepreneurship strategy, which I talked about, our Black entrepreneurship strategy and the 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurship strategy will certainly help.

As we build the strongest economy in the G7, we want to make sure that we have the full and equal participation of all Canadians.

[Juanita Nathan, Liberal, Pickering—Brooklin, ON]

Thank you, Minister Valdez, for your answer.

We'll move on. In 30 seconds, I could ask the minister to talk a bit about some of the community-based programs that are reducing isolation for senior women. We're talking a lot about seniors and what measures are in place to protect the financial vulnerability of seniors.

[Rechie Valdez, Liberal, Mississauga—Streetsville, ON]

Yes, absolutely.

I'll cite a perfect example. Out in Edmonton, we have the Edmonton Aboriginal Seniors Centre—

[The Chair, Conservative, Dominique Vien]

We'll take that up another time. I'm sorry, but your time is up.

[Rechie Valdez, Liberal, Mississauga—Streetsville, ON]

Madam Chair, I was having so much fun.

[The Chair, Conservative, Dominique Vien]

What can I say? That's committee life.

Ms. Larouche, you have the floor for two and a half minutes.

[Andréanne Larouche, Bloc, Shefford, QC]

Thank you very much, Madam Chair.

Minister, I'd like to get back to some of the measures announced in the economic update, including announcements related to the media. During the study on anti-feminist ideology, witnesses recommended increasing support for Canada's media, and diverse local media outlets in particular, to counter misinformation and hate speech. We spoke about community media, among others. We actually have some good models of such media in Quebec.

You announced some investments in the update, but I'd like you to tell us about the tangible investments your government can make to support the media, which plays a critical role in the prevention of violence and radicalization that could result in femicide.

[Rechie Valdez, Liberal, Mississauga—Streetsville, ON]

Although this is within the Minister of Heritage's portfolio, I can share that the government remains committed to making sure it can support media in every which way. That includes journalists and making sure that we can tell the real stories, even out in Quebec.

With regard to hate speech, we've put forward legislation here in Parliament. Bill C-9 addresses hate.

We're going to do everything we can to promote local media and give opportunities for the storytellers to share their good work. We are investing significantly into arts, culture and heritage to make sure we can preserve Canadian culture. That includes francophone and Quebec culture.

[Andréanne Larouche, Bloc, Shefford, QC]

I'll give you this message and ask you to bring it up with your colleagues—I hope you have conversations among ministers—because it's critical to combatting the rise of these anti-feminist movements, radicalization and misinformation.

Now, this week's economic update also talks about a business support fund to be administered by Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, or CED. However, the support is still in the form of a loan, not direct assistance. Micro enterprises will probably not be in a position to take on more debt or to access this program. Most micro enterprises are headed by women.

What will you do to provide them with tangible assistance?

Bloc Québécois members are calling for wage subsidies to support businesses, particularly women-led businesses.

You have five to 10 seconds to provide an answer.

[The Chair, Conservative, Dominique Vien]

You won't even have that luxury, Ms. Larouche. I'm sorry, but time is up.

Minister, thank you very much. You survived intense questioning from members of the committee. Have a great evening.

We're going to suspend for a moment.

[Rechie Valdez, Liberal, Mississauga—Streetsville, ON]

Is the meeting over?

[The Chair, Conservative, Dominique Vien]

Yes, that's what I was telling you.

[Voices]

Oh, oh!

[Rechie Valdez, Liberal, Mississauga—Streetsville, ON]

My apologies. What a surprise.

[The Chair, Conservative, Dominique Vien]

If you want to stay on, we'll have you, but I won't presume you'd like to stay on. You survived intense questioning. Thank you very much.

I'll keep your colleagues here for the second hour.

We're going to suspend for a moment.

[The Chair, Conservative, Dominique Vien]

I call this meeting back to order for the second hour.

Having heard the minister's testimony, we are pleased to have Ms. Mitchell, Ms. McRae and Mr. Massie speak to the members.

We will begin right away, with Mrs. Goodridge.

Mrs. Goodridge, you have the floor for five minutes.

[Laila Goodridge, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you for being here with us today.

It will probably come as no surprise that I'm going to ask you guys about baby formula. This is something that is critically important.

Do you guys have any answers, through the chair, as to why the price of baby formula has risen twice as fast in Canada as it has in the States?

[Frances McRae, Deputy Minister, Department for Women and Gender Equality]

Thank you very much for that question.

You'll likely understand, Madam Chair, that our remit at Women and Gender Equality Canada does not specifically deal with the price of baby formula.

My colleague Étienne-René may have some information about the general economy he could share.

[Étienne-René Massie, Assistant Deputy Minister, Small Business and Tourism Marketplace Services, Department of Industry]

Thank you for the question.

What I can say is that we have seen increases in grocery prices on a range of goods. That is due to supply chains, global economic disruptions and general inflation in the economy.

I do not have immediate data on baby formula, although I am aware of the cost increases.

[Laila Goodridge, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB]

My understanding, Mr. Massie, is that you're with Industry Canada. Is that correct?

[Etienne-René Massie]

That is correct. I'm with Innovation, Science and Economic Development.

[Laila Goodridge, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB]

All right.

How many baby formula facilities exist in Canada?

[Etienne-René Massie]

Thank you for the question.

I don't necessarily have information on production facilities across the country.