Coaticook, QC, September 2, 2020 - In order to highlight a significant investment of $270,000, Atelier M.G. received a visit this afternoon from Ministers Marie-Claude Bibeau and Mélanie Joly. The funds announced come from Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED) and are part of the Government of Canada's Strategy for Women in Entrepreneurship.

This strategy encourages women entrepreneurs to contributevia theirtalent and expertise to the economic growth of every region. Only 16% of Canadian SMEs are ledby women. Sandra Grenier, co-owner of Atelier M.G., was delighted that the two Ministers came to her premises.

“Women entrepreneurs sometimes face obstacles as they progress in their entrepreneurial journey, and the new issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic present us with new challenges. I am delighted to be able to count on this funding from the federal governement,”explainedMs. Grenier.

Her project aims in particular to improve productivity and to modernize the production process by expanding the plant and acquiring new equipment (machining centre and CNC lathes, an automatic saw, as well as a welding robot). This financial support also makes it possible for the company to develop new markets.

This funding is part of a series of projects announced on Wednesday morning by Minister Joly of more than $10 million to some thirty businesses headed by womenin Quebec.

“The health crisis has had a disproportionate impact on SMEs and women. Today’s announcement demonstrates our government’s commitment to redress this imbalance towards women entrepreneurs in our rural regions. This investment is crucial,”explains the MP for Compton-Stanstead and Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food,Marie-Claude Bibeau.

The visit to Atelier M.G. ended with a presentation of the company's new facilities, which will allow it to remain competitive with their already well-stocked order book.

“We have made concrete commitments to enable women to participate fully in the economy. We are here to help them gain easier access to financing, talent, networks and the expertise they need to expand their businesses. We are more determined than ever to prove that economic growth comes through equal opportunities for both sexes. Our government has given itself the mission of boosting the growth of Canadian businesses and the economic diversification of our communities, and this can only be done with the key support of our women entrepreneurs,”concludes Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for CED.

Quick Facts

• The Honourable Mélanie Joly is the Minister responsible for the six regional development agencies (RDAs) of Canada, including CED.

• The six RDAs ensure that Canada’s regions are heard in Ottawa and that local economies and businesses receive the support they need to grow and prosper.

• Canada’s RDAs focus on the development and diversification of regional economies to help communities prosper. With a very strong presence in communities, they know where the need for additional support is greatest.

• The Government of Canada is also advancing women's economic empowerment with the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy, a nearly $5-billion investment that seeks to double the number of women-owned businesses by 2025.

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For media enquiries, please contact:

Kimberly Luce

Constituency Assistant

Office of the Hon. Marie-Claude Bibeau, MP for Compton-Stanstead

Cell.: 819-571-8926