Madam Speaker, this week, we are celebrating gender equality, and I would like to highlight the key role women play in leadership, specifically in Thérèse-De Blainville.
I have two examples to share. First, I want to mention Julie Desrosiers, the leader of Enertec Rail Equipment, who is living proof that women can excel in technical fields. Then there is Véronique Desmarais, executive director of the Centre d'entraide Thérèse‑De Blanville. Women excel in that sector.
That said, only one in five SMEs in Canada is majority-owned by women. In clean technology, energy and STEM, which stands for science, technology, engineering and mathematics, women represent only 20% to 28% of the total workforce.
However, there is hope. Canada leads the G7 in terms of bringing more women into AI roles. If we can break down barriers in AI, we can do so in all industries. Everyone in Parliament and across society must work towards this goal.
Women in leadership means building a stronger, more innovative and more inclusive economy.