BANFF – The federal government will help fund a new initiative designed to boost the number of women-owned and women-led businesses within the screen-based industries.
Announced on the opening day of the Banff World Media Fest, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Halifax MP Andy Fillmore said that almost $2 million will be directed to the Banff Television Festival Foundation for the Banff Accelerator for Women in the Business of Media.
According to the announcement, the investment will help at least 50 participants to grow their business, support 16 participants in starting a business, and result in 200 women connected with networking, matchmaking, or mentorship opportunities.
"This program will address a systemic gap in our industry, providing hundreds of women with high-level business training, essential international connections and access to potential capital investment,” said Banff executive director Jenn Kuzmyk, in the announcement. “Our mandate is to make a meaningful impact within the Canadian media industry leading to the launch and growth of significantly more women-owned and women-led businesses that are competitive on the world stage."
The funds are part of the Feds’ Women Entrepreneurship Strategy, a $2 billion investment that seeks to double the number of women-owned businesses by 2025.
"Canadian women entrepreneurs and business leaders, including many in Banff, make incredible contributions to our economy and community every day,” added Minister Fillmore. “I'm proud to be a part of a Liberal government that takes women's economic empowerment seriously. From tackling pay equity to modernizing parental leave, this government is taking action on gender equality because when women succeed, we all succeed."
The 2019 Banff World Media Festival takes place June 9 – 12 at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel in Banff.
