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PodcastingWomen in Business Info-Guide
Last Verified:
2007-12-06
This Info-Guide can help you navigate through the federal and provincial government programs, services and resources that may be of interest to women entrepreneurs.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Women in Business
In Canada, the business landscape has changed over the years. Industry Canada has reported the number of women who head companies in Canada has doubled since 1990. As a result, women partially or wholly own nearly half of Canadian small businesses. Most women entrepreneurs in Canada work in either the service and retail sectors, however this is changing, as women are now beginning to own larger numbers of small and medium sized companies in emerging fields of technology and manufacturing.
The Business Start-Up Info-Guide is designed to help you navigate through the federal and provincial government programs, services and regulations that may apply to individuals starting a business in Ontario.
2. Regulations
Business Regulations Info-Guide
This document will assist you in navigating federal, provincial and municipal regulations that apply to a number of industries and businesses in Ontario.
For further information:
see the document
Business Regulations Info-Guide
Status of Women Canada (SWC)
The federal government’s department which promotes gender equality and the full participation of women in the economic, social, cultural and political life of the country. Status of Women Canada focuses its work in three areas: improving women's economic autonomy and well-being, eliminating systemic violence against women and children and advancing women's human rights.
For further information:
please call 613-995-7835
3. Financing
Access to capital is one of the most challenging aspects of business ownership. However, according to an Industry Canada study of small and medium businesses, the majority of female business owners had an 82% approval rating for loans in 2000. There are various programs and resources for women in obtaining financing; listed below are some of the tools and resources available to women entrepreneurs in Ontario.
Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC)
The BDC has increased the availability of financing for fast-growing, women-owned firms in Canada. BDC aims to provide women entrepreneurs with the necessary resources so they can expand their businesses and seek new market opportunities outside of Canada. The Business Development Bank of Canada provides women entrepreneurs with both access to financing as well as consulting services to help foster business growth and development.
For further information:
please call 1-888-463-6232
visit these web sites:
Women entrepreneurs and access to financing
Woman entrepreneur
Women's Program - Funding
The Women's Program - Funding provides funding and technical assistance for projects that have a direct impact on women in their communities.
For further information:
please call 613-995-7835
visit the web site:
Women's Program - Funding
Investing in Women’s Futures (OWD)
Investing in Women's Futures provides funding to women’s based organizations operating in the province of Ontario.
To be eligible for funding, an organization must be:
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a community-based, non-profit agency that is run by and for women.
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providing ongoing services and programs to women as its main priority.
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managed and sponsored by an incorporated board that includes community members and others who provide services to women.
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financially stable for the duration of the funding period.
For further information:
please call 416-314-0300
visit the web site:
Investing in Women's Futures
PARO Centre For Women's Enterprise
PARO Centre For Women's Enterprise provides financing to women entrepreneurs in the Thunder Bay, Greenstone, Patricia and Superior North regions. Although all industry sectors may be eligible for PARO's financing, you must be part of a peer circle in order to apply for a loan.
For further information:
visit the web site:
PARO Centre for Women's Enterprise
Northern Opportunities for Women
The PARO Centre for Women's Enterprise is now offering the Northern Oppo program. The program's focus is to help women achieve economic independence by either starting a business, or finding a job.
For further information:
visit the web site:
Northern Opportunities for Women
4. Training and Mentorship Programs
The Network for Women Entrepreneurs (NWE)
The Network for Women Entreprenerus provides you with the resources and personal support to succeed. Through its web portal, you will find access to key business information, business counselling and community outreach services, expert consultants and other business support organizations throughout Ontario to help women achieve success in business.
For further information:
please call 1-888-300-9308
visit the web site:
Network for Women Entrepreneurs
Entrewomen
Entrewomen is a non-profit project, which connects women to mentors and networking groups, provides access to online training and business information, and facilitating the growth of entrepreneurial alliances.
For further information:
please call 416-599-3590
visit the web site:
Entrewomen
Step Ahead
Step Ahead is a not-for-profit volunteer organization providing educational and practical learning opportunities for women business owners.
For further information:
visit the web site:
Step Ahead Online
Canadian Association of Women Executives & Entrepreneurs (CAWEE)
Canadian Association of Women Executives & Entrepreneurs is a networking and social alliance of innovative entrepreneurs, successful small business owners and business leaders from some of Canada's most influential organizations.
For further information:
visit the web site:
Canadian Association of Women Executives and Entrepreneurs
CATA WIT (Women in Technology) Forum
CATA's Women in Technology Forum is a new community network designed to boost women's participation and advancement in the high-growth technology sector. Our mission is to help women in technology companies advance in their careers and succeed as entrepreneurs through mentoring, networking, professional development and advocacy.
For further information:
visit the web site:
Women in Technology Forum
5. Taxation
Dealing with Business Taxes
The Taxation Info-Guide is designed to help you navigate through the federal and provincial government programs, services and regulations related to taxation that may apply to individuals starting or operating a business in Ontario.
6. Associations
There are many different groups and organizations that can help women entrepreneurs with networking opportunities as well as online resources and information. The following list are some of the organizations both private and public available to women in business.
Women Entrepreneurs of Canada (WEC)
A federally incorporated, non-profit organization. It was founded in Toronto in 1992 to serve the interests of established women entrepreneurs. Women Entrepreneurs of Canada provides a dynamic environment, high-quality programming and opportunities for women entrepreneurs to enrich and enhance their personal and professional lives.
For further information:
please call 1-866-207-4439
see the document:
Women Entrepreneurs of Canada
Women Inventors Project
A non-profit organization working to increase the number of successful inventors and entrepreneurs in Canada. The Project supports the innovative and scientific endeavours of Canadian women through programs that educate and heighten public awareness.
For further information:
please call 905-731-0328 or 1 877 863-2471
Businesswomen in Trade
This web site was created for Canadian businesswomen to find information relevant to exporting and export activities. It provides an entry point to a wealth of information on how to prepare for and to succeed in the export marketplace, including direct links to other useful Internet resources and sources of information interesting to Canadian businesswomen.
For further information:
please call 613-850-7496
visit the web site:
Businesswomen in Trade
The Business and Professional Women’s Club of Ontario
The Business and Professional Women’s Club of Ontario is a private organization that works towards improving economic and employment conditions for women.
For further information:
visit the web site:
Business and Professional Women’s Club of Ontario
Women's Enterprise and Resource Centre
The Women's Enterprise and Resource Centre is a community-based business centre for women who are developing micro-enterprises and small businesses. It offers programs, services, and resources to women entrepreneurs for business start-up and operation.
For further information:
please call 416-247-7181
visit the web site:
Women's Enterprise & Resource Centre
Women Who Excel
Women Who Excel is a member driven organization for women entrepreneurs in the Hamilton Wentworth and Halton Regions. The organization provides panel discussions, networking opportunities, as well as presentations and demonstrations for women looking to foster growth in their businesses.
For further information:
please call 905-547-7135 or 1-800-363-0268
visit the web site:
Women Who Excel
7. Other Resources
Publications of Interest
Web Sites of Interest
Need more information?
Click:
Canada-Ontario Business Service Centre
Call: 1-800-567-2345
Visit: Our
Regional Access Program Locations page
to locate an office near you
Some of the organizations listed above are not subject to the federal Official Languages Act or the French Language Services Act of Ontario. Their services may not be available in both official languages.
DISCLAIMER
Information contained in this document is of a general nature only and is not intended to constitute advice for any specific fact situation. Users concerned about the reliability of the information should consult directly with the source, or seek legal counsel.
Links Policy
Some of the hypertext links lead to non-federal government sites which are not subject to the Official Languages Act and the material is available in one language only.