Small businesses are the driving force behind nearly 80 per cent of new jobs in Canada and the West. To fuel this engine of economic growth, Western Economic Diversification Canada, through the Western Canada Business Service Network, supports entrepreneurs in both urban and rural settings resulting in a competitive and expanded business sector in Western Canada.

Our Partners

Western Economic Diversification

Funding for Women’s Enterprise Centre is provided by Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD), which created the Women’s Enterprise Initiative (WEI) in 1994/1995 to address barriers faced by women in starting and expanding their businesses.

The objectives of the WEI were to establish a resource for women’s enterprise in each of the four Western Canadian provinces, and to assist in the expansion and diversification of the Western Canadian economy.

The mandate of the WEI organizations is to encourage women to start and expand businesses, encourage self-employment and business development, and to promote economic equality between men and women.

Support from WD enables the four provincial organizations to provide enhanced business services to women entrepreneurs, including:

• Business Advisory Services
• Lending
• Information Services and Referrals
• Training and Business Skills Development
• Networking and Mentoring

Western Economic Diversification Canada's mandate is to promote the development and diversification of the economy of Western Canada and to advance the interests of the West in national economic policy. WD fulfills its mandate through these programs and activities:

• Innovation
• Economic Development
• Business Development

Women's Enterprise Initiatives in Western Canada

No other organization in Canada compares with the WEI experience, and its knowledge and understanding of issues faced by women entrepreneurs and the support required to effectively build women’s business capacity.

BC Business Services Network

In BC, Women’s Enterprise Centre works with other organizations, which are funded by Western Economic Diversification Canada to provide assistance to small businesses across the province. Download brochure that explains each partner's services.

Partnerships with Women's Business Organizations

Women’s Enterprise Centre works with women's busines networks and women's organizations throughout BC to bring entrepreneurs together to learn and network. Click here to view women's business links in BC and Canada.