5.2 Sectors of Women Entrepreneurship
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There are approximately 114,000 majority women-owned businesses in Canada, which are mainly found in the following sectors:1- Retail trade
- Accommodation and food services
- Tourism
- Other services
Although women are well represented in these industries, majority men-owned businesses still double the amount of those owned by women in every sector.2
Women in “men-dominated” industries
Although there are more women entrepreneurs in certain sectors, there are women who are overcoming stereotypes in traditionally "men-dominated" industries such as science and technology, construction, transportation, large-scale manufacturing and the primary sector. However, women face significant challenges, such as:3
Women entrepreneurs in those industries often have interesting stories to tell, as they are helping to forge a path as they break down barriers.
Our toolkit includes data taken from the 2017 Survey on financing and growth of small and medium enterprises. The 2022 Survey is available at the following link: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/220302/dq220302b-cansim-eng.htm
However, please note that the data included in this most recent survey is greatly influenced by the recent worldwide pandemic, making it difficult to compare it to the stats included in our toolkit which are based on a pre-pandemic period survey.
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References
1ISED (2018). Survey on financing and growth of small and medium enterprises (SFGSME)- Table 31, 2017, Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada, Government of Canada, https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/061.nsf/vwapj/SFGSME-EFCPME_2017_eng_public.pdf/$file/SFGSME-EFCPME_2017_eng_public.pdf (page consulted October 23rd 2020).
2ISED (2018). Survey on financing and growth of small and medium enterprises (SFGSME)- Table 31, 2017, Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada, Government of Canada, https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/061.nsf/vwapj/SFGSME-EFCPME_2017_eng_public.pdf/$file/SFGSME-EFCPME_2017_eng_public.pdf (page consulted October 23rd 2020).
3Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (2017). Policy Brief on Women’s Entrepreneurship, p. 15.; Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub (2020). The State of Women’s Entrepreneurship in Canada 2020, Toronto, Diversity Institute, Toronto Metropolitan University, p. vii.
2ISED (2018). Survey on financing and growth of small and medium enterprises (SFGSME)- Table 31, 2017, Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada, Government of Canada, https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/061.nsf/vwapj/SFGSME-EFCPME_2017_eng_public.pdf/$file/SFGSME-EFCPME_2017_eng_public.pdf (page consulted October 23rd 2020).
3Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (2017). Policy Brief on Women’s Entrepreneurship, p. 15.; Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub (2020). The State of Women’s Entrepreneurship in Canada 2020, Toronto, Diversity Institute, Toronto Metropolitan University, p. vii.
Disclaimer
All documents prepared for the LEADING LENDERS project were developed in line with the most appropriate and recent terminology. However, we recognize that terminology is subject to change over time. To the best of our ability, we have attempted to use terminology that respects the dignity and rights of all individuals.
All documents prepared for the LEADING LENDERS project were developed in line with the most appropriate and recent terminology. However, we recognize that terminology is subject to change over time. To the best of our ability, we have attempted to use terminology that respects the dignity and rights of all individuals.
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