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Women in Business Info-Guide

Last Verified: 2010-04-03

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.

Women in Business
Regulations
Financing
Training and Mentorship Programs
Taxation
Associations
Resources and Websites of Interest

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 1-866-902-2719

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.

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 1-866-599-7259 visit the website: 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:

a community-based, non-profit agency that is run by and for women.
providing ongoing services and programs to women as its main priority.
managed and sponsored by an incorporated board that includes community members and others who provide services to women.
financially stable for the duration of the funding period.

For further information:
please call 1-866-510-5902
visit the website: 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 website: PARO Centre for Women's Enterprise

Northern Opportunities for Women

The PARO Centre for Women's Enterprise is now offering the Northern Opportunities 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 website:Northern Opportunities for Women

4. Training and Mentorship Programs

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 website: 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 website: 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 website: Women in Technology Forum

5. Taxation

Dealing with Business Taxes

All businesses must be aware of the various taxes that may apply to their product or service. Depending on the type and location of products or services being offered, federal, provincial and/or municipal business taxes may apply.

For further information:
See the Taxation Info-Guide

Other Resources:
Ontario Ministry of Revenue: 1-866-668-8297
Small Business Tax Help (MOR)

Canada Revenue Agency: 1-800-959-5525
Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)

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

Businesswomen in Trade

This website 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 613-943-4556
visit the website: 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 website: Business and Professional Women - 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 website: Women's Enterprise & Resource Centre

Le Réseau Socioaction des Femmes Francophones (RéSAFF) (The Social Action Network of Francophone Women)

The RéSAFF is a not-for-profit organization that brings together business and professional women from eastern Ontario. The mission of RéSAFF is to work towards improving the economic, social and political situation of business and professional women in the eastern region of Ontario by:

increasing the opportunities of networking;
working to promote the products and services of its members;
providing support to entrepreneurship;
providing mentorship services.

Note: This organization provides services only in French.

For further information:
visit the website: Réseau SocioAction des Femmes Francophones (RéSAFF) (in French only)

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 website: Women Who Excel

7. Other Resources

Publications of Interest

Websites of Interest

Need more information?

Click: Canada Business
Call: The Business Info Line, a collaboration between ServiceOntario and Industry Canada, at 1-888-745-8888
Visit: Find a Community Partner Location near you

DISCLAIMERS

Information contained in this document is of a general nature only and is not intended to constitute advice for any specific situation. Users concerned about the reliability of the information should consult directly with the source, or seek legal counsel.

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.