CANADA

The economy of Canada is the 10th largest in the world, measured by nominal GDP and 16th largest by purchasing

power parity (PPP). The country is classified as the 2nd most impactful business environment for women owned businesses,

one of the G-20 major economies, and 17% of Canadian businesses are Women owned businesses (WOB)

(approximately 1.1MM).

The minimum wage

ranges from $7.50 within the Federal Jurisdiction to

$13.00 in Nunavut.

Canada is home to 39 billionaires as of 2015,

making the country the 10th largest pool of

billionaires.

GDP by sector:

Agriculture: 1.6% Industry: 28.9% Services: 70.5%

Labor Force: 19.3 million people Services: 76% Manufacturing: 13% Construction: 6%

Agriculture: 2% Other: 3%

• Ranked 2nd most favorable business environment for WOBs

• Growth of funding organizations (not WOB specific) • Growth of women business connection organizations • Mentorship for WOBs by business professionals has

increased over past decade • Sponsorship support - financially, educationally,

development and growth • Connections between women B2B, sharing of best

practices, and networking • Support of social work / professional service fields by

partner corporations

Canada’s major stock exchange, the Toronto Stock Exchange, had a market capitalization of

US$2.681 trillion as of May 2016, the 9th largest in the world.

ProfessionalServicesandManufacturingaccountforjustoverhalfoftheWOBsinCanada.TherehasbeengrowthinthemanufacturingindustrywhichhashelpedclosedthegapbetweenProfessional

Servicesbeingthedominantfield.

Canada’s Top Exports

Oil Aircraft, Spacecraft

Wood Aluminum Paper

Vehicles Machines Gems, Precious Metals

Electronics Plastics

Canada’s Top Industries

Professional Services Retail Trade Manufacturing

Technology Human Resources Food and Beverage

Wholesale Trade Business Support Other

Factor Analysis

Political • There is a lack of female representation in political positions. • There is a lack of supplier diversity initiatives by government. • Canadian Federation of Independent Business thinks requiring supplier diversity

is “unfair and “opaque”.

Economic

• 17% of businesses (about 1.1MM) are women-owned businesses. • There is a lack of national economic development strategy for women. • There is a lack of a supplier diversity agenda. • Greater Toronto Area has no women-specific funding programs (excluding

Government of Canada sponsored Women’s Enterprise Initiative Program). • Small Business Association sets aside funding contracts under $5MM in

manufacturing and $3MM in all other fields. • Canada is ranked 2nd in countries supporting women’s entrepreneurship, just

after the United States.

Societal

• There is a lack of women CEO role models. • Support and networking exists including WEConnect International in Canada,

the Toronto Business and Professional Women’s Club, Women Entrepreneurs Meetup.com Group of Toronto, and the Hamilton Immigrant Women’s Centre.

• Mentorship is available. • Women business owners have a difference competitive edge than men with

different goals and ambitions.

Factor Analysis

Technology

• The majority of women-owned businesses are in social work and professional services fields.

• Women-owned businesses do not incorporate technology into their businesses early on (partially due to lack of venture capital.)

• There is a lack of involvement, education and technological resources available to women-owned businesses.

Legal • There are no legal restrictions on the basis of gender.

Canada’s Business Landscape by Industry

WEConnect International Activity in Canada

Top Industries Represented

Professional Services Manufacturing Technology Human Resources Food and Beverage Wholesale Trade Business Support Transportation Retail Trade

Telecommunications Architecture Education Healthcare, Medicine

Barriers for WOBs can include: denied access to funding and capital, denied access to business training and market,

corporations feel WOBs should not receive special treatments, and lack of business education and training of

how to start up, sustain, and grow a business.