Alberta's women-owned businesses to receive support from federal government
A federal program is providing $860,000 to support two organizations that provide resources for women-led companies and gender-diverse entrepreneurs in the Prairie provinces.
The initiative is supported by Prairies Economic Development Canada, and provides just under half the funds to the Calgary Immigrant Women's Association, and the slightly larger portion to an organization called Movement51.
Bobbie Racette, founder and CEO of Virtual Gurus, has received assistance from Movement51 in the past.
She says this will help break down barriers for other entrepreneurs like her.
As a queer, Indigenous female CEO in the tech industry, she says she faced hardships and discrimination starting out.
"Nobody would hire me just because of who I am and who I look like, and so I needed to find a job, so I created my own work-from-home position," said Racette.
Her tech business continues to grow, with more than 40 employees and increasing opportunities to mentor other startups.
Another 550 women across the Prairies are expected to benefit from Movement51, as part of the funding program announced Friday in Calgary.
The other recipient organization is the Calgary Immigrant Women's Association (CIWA).
Its portion of program funding will focus on newcomer entrepreneurs, providing training covering business plans, business registration and licences, and finances.
"These two organizations are going to help women entrepreneurs learn, but also start off and support their business development and growth," said George Chahal, Member of Parliament for Calgary Skyview.
CIWA leaders say this program is timely.
"It is no secret that the pandemic hit women harder than anyone, and specifically immigrant women," said Paula Calderon, CEO of CIWA.
Lara Jane King received training through CIWA earlier this year, and launched her handmade jewelry business When Janey Makes in October.
"It's like I found my passion. I want to make things and I made things but I didn't sell them, so it was just piled up in my place. So I thought, why not start a business? So here we are."
The CIWA training program includes 60 women, bringing the total estimated to benefit from the federal funding to more than 600.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada tracked suspected Chinese spy balloon over Canadian airspace since last weekend: sources
The suspected Chinese surveillance balloon that was found floating over sensitive military sites in the western United States had been tracked by Canada's government since last weekend as it passed through Canadian airspace, sources tell CTV News.

Oldest preserved vertebrate brain found in 319-million-year-old fish fossil
The oldest preserved vertebrate brain has been found in a 319-million-year-old fossilized fish skull that was removed from an English coal mine over a century ago.
Former NHL-er Ted Nolan among Indigenous players honoured in new hockey card series
It took 40 years, but former NHL player and coach Ted Nolan is now one of eight Indigenous ex-NHL-ers being honoured hockey trading cards as a part of Upper Deck's First Peoples Rookie Card series.
B.C. man who was mistaken for target, shot by police in 2013 has lawsuit dismissed
A B.C. man who was mistaken for the target in a police takedown and shot by an officer in 2013 has had his lawsuit alleging negligence dismissed.
Bodies are those of 3 rappers missing nearly 2 weeks: Detroit police
Three bodies found in a vacant Detroit-area apartment building have been identified as those of three aspiring rappers who went missing nearly two weeks ago, police said Friday.
Maid's son tells judge Alex Murdaugh took US$4M for her death
For much of disgraced South Carolina attorney Alex Murdaugh's double murder trial, witnesses have talked about a generous and loving man -- but prosecutors want jurors to know that same man stole over US$4 million from his housekeeper's relatives after she died at work, and killed his wife and son to cover up his crimes.
Japanese prime minister's aide leaving over LGBTQ2S+ remarks
A senior aide to Japan's prime minister is being dismissed after making discriminatory remarks about LGBTQ2S+ people.
Jury: Musk didn't defraud investors with 2018 Tesla tweets
A jury on Friday decided Elon Musk didn't deceive investors with his 2018 tweets about electric automaker Tesla.
Stars disappearing before our eyes faster than ever: report
A new research from a citizen science program suggests that stars are disappearing before our eyes at an 'astonishing rate.'