Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to draw the attention of the House to the outstanding contribution made by Canadian women to job creation and to the important role they play in the development of our economy.
The Montreal region has been well served by their spirit of entrepreneurship. Women understood the importance and potential of small businesses. The women of Montreal realize that small business are responsible for 85 per cent of the new jobs created in this country and that they need better access to capital.
Last year, 35 per cent of small businesses started in Montreal were headed by women. Furthermore, the five-year survival rate of small businesses headed by women is twice as high as the survival rate of those headed by men.
I want to congratulate these women on their courage and entrepreneurial spirit and wish them every success in the future.