Mr. Speaker, I recently reviewed a copy of the Bank of Montreal study on the economic power of women-led firms in Canada entitled “Myths and Realities”. There is tremendous progress being made by women in our Canadian business community. Here are some of the facts.
Women now own or operate over 700,000 firms, a number which represents over 30% of all firms in Canada. The number of women-led firms is increasing at twice the national average. They are creating jobs at four times the national average. These firms employ 1.7 million Canadians and provide 200,000 more jobs than the largest 100 Canadian companies combined.
Women-led firms are having a significant impact upon our economy. I congratulate these entrepreneurs. I also congratulate the Minister for International Trade who will shortly be leading a delegation of female business people to Washington.