The Centre for Women in Business Welcomes Federal Budget 2025 as a Plan for Renewal, Resilience, and Shared Prosperity
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 4, 2025
The Centre for Women in Business Welcomes Federal Budget 2025 as a Plan for Renewal, Resilience, and Shared Prosperity
Joins WEOC in advancing women entrepreneurs as partners in Canada’s renewal
Halifax, Nova Scotia — The Centre for Women in Business welcomes the 2025 Federal Budget as a plan grounded in renewal, responsibility, and shared purpose. The organization joins the Women’s Enterprise Organizations of Canada (WEOC) in affirming the importance of responsible stewardship and investment in women-led businesses as a cornerstone of Canada’s economic renewal and long-term strength.
“Budget 2025 reminds us that progress for women entrepreneurs requires both discipline and collaboration. At the Centre for Women in Business, we exist to ensure women have the support, resources, and networks they need to thrive; because when women succeed, communities prosper. Even in a time of fiscal restraint, we stand united with WEOC and our partners across Canada to champion the women who are driving innovation, building resilient businesses, and shaping Canada’s economic future.”
— Tanya Priske, Executive Director, Centre for Women in Business
Budget 2025 renews Canada’s commitment to gender equality through permanent funding for the Department for Women and Gender Equality ($382.5 million over five years, plus $76.5 million ongoing). This ongoing support reinforces that embedding gender and diversity in economic decision-making delivers stronger outcomes for all Canadians.
At the same time, the Budget’s focus on productivity, competitiveness, and regional economic development opens new pathways for women entrepreneurs to participate in Canada’s broader growth agenda — including areas such as regional innovation, procurement modernization, trade diversification, export readiness, and creative-economy growth.
Through WEOC’s national loan fund and the network of women’s enterprise centres and organizations, including The Centre for Women in Business, more than $25 million in loans have supported over 560 women-owned businesses across Canada over the past three years.
“This budget reflects responsible stewardship and strategic investment in Canada’s future,” said Victoria Lennox, MSM, Chief Executive Officer of WEOC. “The strength of women’s entrepreneurship lies in our collaboration. Together with partners across the country, we are advancing a unified vision of stability, competitiveness, and generational prosperity.”
The Centre for Women in Business welcomes measures that enhance small-business productivity, innovation, and trade diversification, and encourages continued attention to inclusive access, ensuring that women entrepreneurs in rural, Indigenous, newcomer, and under-represented communities benefit equitably from new investments.
About The Centre for Women in Business
The Center for Women in Business is thrilled to be an official Loan Fund Partner for the WEOC National Loan Program. The program offers an inclusive approach to lending, providing robust wrap-around services that set women entrepreneurs up for continued growth and success providing businesses with new opportunities that might not have been accessible before.
Media Contact
Jenn Robeson Senior | Communications Officer
The Centre for Women in Business
jennifer.robeson@msvu.ca |www.centreforwomeninbusiness.ca
About the Women’s Enterprise Organizations of Canada (WEOC)
The Women’s Enterprise Organizations of Canada (WEOC) is the national voice advancing women’s entrepreneurship and economic leadership. Working through a network of women’s enterprise centres and organizations, WEOC delivers programs, capital, and capacity to help women start, grow, and scale their businesses. Through its national loan fund and partnerships with government and industry, WEOC strengthens Canada’s women’s entrepreneurship ecosystem and drives inclusive prosperity across the country.
Media Contact
Lindsay Steward Glor | Communications Manager
Women’s Enterprise Organizations of Canada (WEOC)
lstewartglor@weoc.ca | 204-296-0544 | www.weoc.ca