Rebuilding the Economy Without Women Isn’t Progress—It’s Repetition
tl;dr
Canada’s new economic vision sidelines women, allocating billions to traditional sectors while overlooking women-led businesses.
Women-owned businesses already power over $90B annually—yet systemic barriers continue to limit their access to capital & contracts.
CanWCC is calling for a bold shift: an inclusive economy shaped with women, not just around them.
If Women Aren’t at the Table, It’s Not a New Economy. It’s the Same Old System.
Since President Trump reintroduced U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods on February 1, 2025, headlines have been dominated by trade tensions, economic uncertainty, and cross-border policy debates. Canadian politicians and business groups have responded by pushing for a stronger, more independent national economy, one less reliant on U.S. trade. And for once, the public seems united: Canadians are rallying around local businesses and demanding a new path forward.
But despite all the talk of resilience and rebuilding, one glaring omission remains.
Where are the women?
One Economy, But Still Not for Everyone
On June 26, 2025, the One Canadian Economy Act received Royal Assent. Hailed by many as a nation-building effort, the legislation aims to stimulate investment and economic growth by fast-tracking large-scale infrastructure and development projects. It also reduces interprovincial trade and labour mobility barriers by recognizing “comparable” provincial and territorial standards as equivalent to federal ones. Additionally, Prime Minister Carney announced a significant increase in defence spending.
Whether or not you support the government’s strategy, one thing is clear: women and the sectors where women are most active have once again been left out of the conversation.
There’s been little mention of how this legislation will impact women entrepreneurs, women-led industries, or the care economy. While billions are being earmarked for construction and defence, there's no parallel investment in the equity, inclusion, and economic power of women and gender-diverse people.
Up to this point, Canada’s "One Economy" is being built by and for the same voices we've always heard.
The Missing Piece in Canada's Economic Strategy
Women and women-owned businesses have been largely excluded from conversations about rebuilding Canada’s economy. This is not just an oversight, it's a missed opportunity of national significance.
Consider this: majority women-owned businesses in Canada employ over 1 million people and contribute more than $90 billion to the economy each year. And that’s despite persistent and well-documented systemic barriers to financing, networks, and procurement opportunities.
Imagine what that contribution could look like if those barriers were removed.
Imagine the economic power Canada could unlock if women and gender-diverse entrepreneurs had equal access to capital, infrastructure, and public contracts. If they had a seat at the table - not just as beneficiaries, but as architects - of our country’s economic future.
A New Economy Must Reflect Canada’s Full Potential
Canada is at a critical juncture. With global trade in flux, climate pressures intensifying, and the outrageous dominance of U.S. tech firms, we have the opportunity and the responsibility to build a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable economy.
But that future will never be fully realized if more than half the population is excluded from the conversation.
This isn’t just a matter of fairness. It’s a matter of economic logic. A national economic strategy that fails to reflect the actual population is fundamentally limited.
If we want innovation, resilience, and growth, we need to invest in the people and businesses that drive it, including women, gender-diverse entrepreneurs, and self-employed individuals across the country.
CanWCC: Advocacy That Puts Equity First
So, how do we make sure women are part of Canada’s new economy?
That’s where advocacy comes in, and that’s where the Canadian Women’s Chamber of Commerce (CanWCC) leads the way.
CanWCC is the first and only national chamber of commerce in Canada dedicated to advocating for women and gender-diverse business owners. With over 2.1 million self-employed and small business owners represented, CanWCC brings these voices directly to policymakers, decision-makers, and institutions with the power to effect change.
Through bold policy recommendations, government consultations, and strategic partnerships, CanWCC is working to dismantle systemic barriers to economic equity. We support our members in amplifying their voices and promoting their contributions to Canada’s economy.
But this work is only as powerful as the people behind it.
Join the Movement. Help Reshape the Economy.
While our neighbours protest to preserve their rights, Canada has a chance to do something different: build an economy that truly reflects our country’s values, priorities, and diversity.
We don’t need a revised version of the old economy. We need a new economy, one built on equity, and that means putting women and gender-diverse business owners at the heart of the conversation.
Join the Movement, build community, create change. Join CanWCC today; visit canwcc.ca/join to learn more.
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