Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to know some pretty incredible people who identify as women. I have met, learned from, worked with, and loved women who are change makers, trail blazers, creative geniuses, intellectual rock stars, and expert humans.
Monday is International Women's Day, and this year's international theme is Choose to Challenge. The constituency I serve is home to great change makers who choose to challenge: Myrna Pokiak, artist, mother, entrepreneur, and advocate for the NWT's business community; Cynthia Mufandedza, mother, entrepreneur, politician, and business and community advocate; and Tiarella Hanna, entrepreneur, selfless volunteer, and animal advocate. One strong commonality between these passionate women is that they are business owners. When I think of the women I grew up with who are entrepreneurs, the list is extensive: Sarah Kalnay-Watson of Let Me Knot; Meagan Peters of Etandah; Sarah Erasmus of Erasmus Apparel; Charlene Chapple of Haylani Apparel; Cheryl Houweling of Kavanaugh; Nadja Lennie of Fireside Denture Clinic; Diana Curtis of Diana Curtis Designs; and Gillian Rivers of Ph8. A small piece of large list of born-and-bred northern women entrepreneurs.
A persistent entrepreneurial creative spirit challenges the status quo and is ready to constantly evolve, but do not be fooled. Business is exciting, fast-paced, and new. It is also scary, riddled with risk, and exhausting. However, business is not about perfection or never failing. Every misstep is a chance to learn, grow, and get better, so teaching women and girls how to fail, be brave, and try again is imperative to the success of our future entrepreneurial spirit. My mother always says, "Do what you love, and the money will come;" so do what you love, and risk and reward will eventually even itself out.
Mr. Speaker, about 16 percent of Canadian small business owners are women. Studies show that, by increasing gender equality and women's participation in the economy, Canada could add up to $150 billion to our national GDP. How do we get there? US research shows that, while women account for 37 percent of entrepreneurs, they receive 2 percent of venture funding. Traditionally, women are filed -- I'm having a hard time today, Mr. Speaker. Okay. Traditionally, women are filed under micro business, getting micro loans. However, women business owners are not less-than. We need to support the evolution of female entrepreneurs from micro to medium to mega. Mr. Speaker, with that, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement today.
---Unanimous consent granted