Status of Women committee  In Quebec, I could not do a levée de fonds, because I was a private enterprise. We couldn't collect donations because we couldn't issue tax receipts. My business was a non-profit organization.

Status of Women committee  In my experience with Evol, I was able to see the obstacles our clients had to overcome. Women-owned businesses are often in the service and care sector. It's these women, the ones with smaller businesses, who had to stay home more during the pandemic to take care of their famili

Status of Women committee  I'm an entrepreneur, and I network a lot. Work-life balance works well, and I'm well supported in that regard. It's really the programs that need to be reviewed. You've put your finger on it. My business provided services. It was worth $2 million, and its profits were 35%. The c

Status of Women committee  In fact, when I wanted to start a business, I was pregnant. I was turned down 10 times. They said that I couldn't start a business because I was pregnant. I went back to the institution where I got my mortgage, and they offered me a $500 credit card. That's how I started my busin

Status of Women committee  Yes, I had to close my business.

Status of Women committee  There were two ways to have access. They could pay at the clinic directly, with their insurance, or there was a special program in day cares that took care of children with disabilities. The day care centres were subsidized to provide our services. Otherwise, parents paid direct

Status of Women committee  Back home, we had waiting lists. So our challenge wasn't a lack of clients. Our challenge stemmed from the fact that schools and day cares were closed for six months during the pandemic. For six months, we lost all our clients. We invested in technology, but given the cost of ren

Status of Women committee  Thank you, Madam Chair. Good afternoon, honourable members. In this final year of the United Nations' International Decade for People of African Descent, what a wonderful opportunity I have to share my story with you. I am Cadleen Désir, a social entrepreneur. If there is one t