Minister Valdez launches call for proposals for the WES Ecosystem Fund

On 24 September 2026, the Honourable Rechie Valdez, Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Secretary of State (Small Business and Tourism), announced a fresh invitation for projects to draw on up to $80 million in non‑repayable funding from the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy (WES) Ecosystem Fund. The call, which closes on 9 November 2026, is aimed at scaling support for women entrepreneurs across Canada, a move that follows the federal government’s recent $173.7 million renewal of WES.

The WES Ecosystem Fund, one of three pillars of the $173.7 million renewal, is designed to give women entrepreneurs the networks, training and mentorship they need to thrive. The government will spread the funding over four fiscal years beginning in 2027‑2028, with successful applicants required to submit proposals in either English or French before the November deadline.

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Minister Valdez underscored the strategic importance of the initiative.

"Women entrepreneurs are essential to building the strongest economy in the G7. When women have the financing, networks and support they need to grow their businesses, they create jobs, strengthen communities and help grow Canada's economy."

The Honourable Rechie Valdez, Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Secretary of State (Small Business and Tourism)

Since its launch in 2018, WES has supported more than 600,000 women entrepreneurs across Canada. The strategy also funds the Women Entrepreneurship Loan Fund, which offers loans of up to $50,000, and the Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub, a one‑stop source of best practices and data. In addition, the federal government is investing in programs that target systemic barriers faced by diverse entrepreneurs, such as the Black Entrepreneurship Program and the 2SLGBTQI+ Entrepreneurship Program.

Component	Funding	Purpose
WES Ecosystem Fund	$100 million (of the $173.7 million renewal)	Networks, training, mentorship for women entrepreneurs
Women Entrepreneurship Loan Fund	$59 million	Partner organisations deliver loans up to $50,000 to women business owners
Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub	$7 million	One‑stop source of knowledge, data and best practices

While the investment is praised for its scale, some voices in the tech community feel the strategy still falls short on addressing the growing role of artificial intelligence. April Hicke, founder of the talent collective Toast, criticised the package for lacking an AI fluency stream.

"The single biggest force reshaping who gets capital and which businesses survive isn’t anywhere in it," said Hicke.

April Hicke, the founder of Toast, a talent organization and collective dedicated to increasing gender diversity in tech

Hicke highlighted that the strategy would benefit from a dedicated AI component and more robust analytics on AI adoption across gender lines.

Despite such critiques, the WES renewal is part of a broader federal push to strengthen small businesses. The government has also rolled out tariff relief measures, AI adoption funding, red tape reduction and support for exporting to new markets. Together, these initiatives aim to create a more inclusive and competitive Canadian economy.

Local impact stories underscore the potential reach of WES funding. Queen’s University’s WE‑CAN YourWay Program has helped launch a new community kitchen in downtown Kingston, providing affordable commercial kitchen space to women from under‑represented groups, including Indigenous women, newcomer women to Canada, women from racialized communities and women a disability. The project, funded through the WES Ecosystem Fund, is a concrete example of how the strategy translates into tangible infrastructure that supports women entrepreneurs.

Harbour Kitchen’s model illustrates the ecosystem approach championed by WES. The kitchen offers low‑cost access to commercial space, with pricing starting at $20/hour and a sliding scale based on unique and specific needs. It also provides mentoring, networking and education to help women grow their food‑based businesses. The initiative aims to support 25‑30 female entrepreneurs in 2023, with plans to expand to include cold storage and further business‑development services.

Looking ahead, the WES Ecosystem Fund call will open doors for a new wave of projects. Interested organisations must prepare proposals that articulate how they will use the $80 million to expand networks, training or mentorship for women entrepreneurs. The deadline of November 9, 2026, at 11:59 pm (PT) gives applicants a narrow window to craft compelling cases, while the four‑year disbursement schedule suggests a long‑term partnership with the federal government.

What to watch next

• Submission of proposals by November 9, 2026, at 11:59 pm (PT).
• First tranche of funding disbursed in 2027–2028, and disbursed over four years.

In sum, Minister Valdez’s announcement is a notable step in Canada’s effort to level the entrepreneurial playing field. The new call for proposals, backed by a sizeable budget and a proven track record of supporting over half a million women, signals a sustained commitment to empowering women across the country. Whether the strategy will finally close the gender gap in business ownership remains to be seen, but the framework and funding are in place to make progress.