Society

Over the last couple of years, the e-commerce landscape has changed extraordinarily. The COVID-19 pandemic amplified e-commerce sales as consumers were forced to shop online due to lockdown restrictions. However, this rapid growth came to a halt after in-person shopping resumed. This resulted in multiple e-commerce companies laying off employees, including Amazon, which cut 27,000 jobs across 2022 and 2023, and Shopify, which laid off 10 per cent of its workforce in 2022. The pandemic-era e-commerce boom may have ended, but the industry still shows promising growth and resilience. Read ahead to learn about the past, present and future of the e-commerce landscape, including why many consumers are still gravitating toward e-commerce channels in a post-pandemic world. The COVID boom When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, most people were stuck inside due to local health restrictions that encouraged non-essential workers to stay home and avoid unnecessary travel. Despite in-person shopping stopping abruptly, consumer demand remained strong. The closure of brick-and-mortar retail outlets caused a massive surge in online shopping. In 2020, e-commerce sales in Canada grew more than 70 per cent. A year later, when public health guidelines loosened to encourage in-person activities, e-commerce sales only increased 14 per cent. Although the industry continues to grow, it is increasing at a more modest rate now. Alex Nguyen, a Toronto-based dropshipping business owner, recalls the pandemic-era boom. He said that despite the negatives of the pandemic,  he had never made more sales. He noted that most of his sales were driven organically and, for the most part, passively. However, his sales boom was short-lived because his business ebbs and flows depending on consumer demands. Though dropshipping is a niche segment of the e-commerce industry, a similar increase in sales occurred across many other sectors, including electronics, books and gardening supplies. Mobile commerce Mobile commerce, or m-commerce, is a facet of e-commerce for mobile devices. In the first quarter of 2023, mobile devices generated 58 per cent of internet traffic. In Canada alone, there are almost 34 million smartphone users.  M-commerce is a new concept that has plenty of room to grow. According to Shopify, m-commerce will account for $620.97 billion of e-commerce sales in 2024, meaning consumers will make almost half of all e-commerce purchases on a mobile device.  M-commerce has various advantages, including enhanced user experience, easier store access for consumers and better cost-effectiveness for marketing strategies. Nguyen explained that he regularly uses m-commerce, as many of his customers come from mobile shopping apps such as Amazon or Wish. Artificial intelligence and augmented reality Artificial intelligence (AI) has disrupted and transformed many industries around the globe, including e-commerce. Although these technologies are still new, they are expected to impact the e-commerce market significantly. According to an article by Tech Radar, when AI tools are integrated with e-commerce platforms, they can answer customer service requests, generate product images, optimize product listings and detect and prevent fraud.  Augmented reality (AR) shopping allows customers to interact with products in physical space via a smartphone, VR headset or AR glasses. Though this seems like science fiction, augmented reality has existed for several years and was popularized by the mobile game Pokémon GO. One of the possible disadvantages of e-commerce is that, according to some research, many consumers prefer in-person shopping. A reason that some consumers prefer in-person shopping is being able to see and touch products. Augmented reality can allow consumers to see products in person in a physical space without leaving their homes. The VR and AR market was worth $28 billion in 2021 and is projected to grow to over $250 billion by 2028. Grow with the times  E-commerce is constantly changing. Instead of viewing this as a frightening prospect, Nguyen suggests adapting to the times to try to leverage all the benefits. He tries to keep on top of all the trends so he can apply anything relevant to his business. Consumers regularly shop on e-commerce platforms, and the habit is only expected to grow. PwC’s 2023 Global Insights Pulse Survey found that 62 per cent of global consumers use a mobile device to purchase goods at least once per month. Consumers prefer online shopping over brick-and-mortar retail because of the convenience, product availability, lower prices and the option to compare prices across retailers. The preference for online shopping is strong globally and is projected to grow consistently. The pandemic may have boosted e-commerce sales, but the fact that they’ve continued to grow in a post-pandemic retail landscape demonstrates that e-commerce is here to stay. Monitor trends and changes in the e-commerce industry because, as the pandemic taught us, you never know when everything will change overnight.  

Some downtowns in Canadian cities feel emptier than ever. The so-called “retail apocalypse,” a term coined in 2017, has been an ongoing problem for several years. However, the COVID-19 pandemic dramatically accelerated the shuttering of retail spaces.  Some brick-and-mortar spaces survived by rapidly adapting to a new retail landscape, such as restaurants converting into grocery stores and bars to bottle shops. Other retailers had to rely on emergency government loans,  which must be repaid shortly. Many businesses, however, could not adapt to the new landscape and were forced to close permanently. In some Canadian communities, this has led to a large presence of shuttered retail stores in downtown areas, making some shopping areas feel dreary.  This has become a significant problem in some communities, transforming neighbourhoods into neglected areas by destroying their cultural character while leaving residents with fewer amenities. Read ahead to learn about the scope of the problem and some solutions that can help put life, character and charm back into Canadian communities. Rising costs In Thunder Bay, Ont., six more businesses have closed than opened every month since July 2022. One major factor leading to these closures is inflation.   The problem is far from localized. Statistics Canada’s most recent monthly estimate of business openings and closures noted that retail trade was the second largest contributor to nationwide business closures, as businesses decreased for six straight months. The report also lists high accommodation and food services industry exit rates. Between retail trade, accommodation and food service establishments, there was a shrinkage of 1,106 active businesses in November 2022. Reluctant landlords Rising rents are also a main driver of retail and restaurant closures. One such instance is Lambretta Pizza, a popular restaurant in Toronto. Lambretta had to close its Roncesvalles location in late 2022 due to a 30 per cent rent increase. The owner, Celina Blanchard, said she already paid $12,000, so the rent increase was too much to afford. Blanchard noted that there were usable empty spaces for rent in the same neighbourhood, but the rents were similarly unaffordable. These storefronts are expected to sit empty until large companies with strong finances rent the spaces… When this happens, iconic stores like Lambretta disappear, leading to an emptier, indistinct cultural identity in Canadian neighbourhoods. Blanchard is not the only one who has noticed this trend. A report by the Better Way Alliance, a self-described ethical employer network, found that over three-quarters of commercial tenants have experienced a one-time rent increase of 10 per cent. The report also found that one in six commercial tenants experienced a 50 per cent increase in rent, and more than half anticipate being forced out of their tenancy due to rent increases. Landlords themselves have also seen costs increase. In 2023, Toronto’s property tax increased by 5.5 per cent, while in Vancouver, it jumped a staggering 10.7 per cent. Additionally, landlords may have an increased cost associated with maintenance. That said, these cost increases, while significant, are generally much lower than rent increases. A solution where everyone wins Landlords own properties to make money, and few businesses would fault them for generating profit from their investments. If a landlord did not earn a profit, there would be no incentive to rent the property they own. They are running a business, after all. That said, leaving vacant commercial space may not be in the best interest of a landlord’s profits. Of course, finances vary from investment to investment, but if a landlord pays into a commercial mortgage without earning rent off it, that is a significant amount of money lost for them. Instead, a more gradual and accessible rent increase is better for commercial landlords and tenants. Many landlords practice this successfully, cultivating strong business relationships while earning an income. It may be in the best long-term interest, both in terms of ethics and profits, for landlords to work collaboratively with the businesses that lease their properties. Working together so commercial tenants and landlords both earn a living is possible and well within reach. With this collaboration, everyone can profit. Neighbourhoods can be revitalized, making them safer and better for consumers, and landlords can profit off their investment while retaining tenants who bring life to downtown spaces. That way, we can revive and maintain the cultural identity of Canadian cities instead of having empty, shuttered storefronts plaguing our neighbourhoods.

With rapid consumerism deeply immersing the 21st century, consumers can easily dismiss their moral compass as they shop. This is an indication of consumer culture, which describes a lifestyle whereby people view buying and selling goods as an important determiner of social organization, significance and meaning. This viewpoint plays a significant part in people’s outlook on themselves and society. The result is a hyper-focus on obtaining material goods. Business owners may also ignore moral obligations in favour of profits as they run their businesses. As intimidating as it can be to change a business model, it is rewarding and beneficial for a company to give back to the community. An effective way to give back is through partnering with a local non-profit. Here is a guide for businesses looking to partner with non-profit organizations. Select a non-profit that aligns with your company’s vision A company vision is what your business hopes to achieve in the future. It is a long-term business objective, and partnering with a non-profit with similar goals can bring even small businesses closer to their visions. One example is a Toronto cookware company called Kookn which partnered with the Parkdale Community Food Bank. Together they combat the barriers that cause food insecurity. After forming your company vision, ask yourself which non-profit addresses the same issue as your business and where you want to cause an impact. This is important because some non-profits are specifically local while others are more wide-scale. Understand the different types of partnerships Understanding the different types of corporate-non-profit partnerships is essential because some require more time and effort than others. A corporate sponsorship requires less effort because it only consists of businesses donating to a non-profit to support one of their events, like a fundraiser. Following their donation, the company name and logo will appear on event shirts, banners and more. Conversely, an in-kind donation is more hands-on because it involves donating an existing office space or supplies to a non-profit. Therefore, businesses going this route must have extra space or supplies to give. Lastly, a cause-marketing partnership involves a business donating a portion of its revenue to the non-profit with every sale. Businesses using this method benefit from a good public image. Get the attention of the chosen non-profit Getting in touch with a business’ chosen non-profit goes beyond contacting them through their social media accounts. Since most non-profits are locally based, seeking out non-profits in person rather than online may prompt a quicker response. Contact the non-profit founders and leaders, attend one of their meetings or volunteer at one of their events. Even if a business has few employees, ask if they would like to contribute to a donation made in the company name so that the non-profit will notice. Discuss the expectations of both parties Communication regarding boundaries and goals is key when businesses and non-profits form partnerships. It is a chance for both parties to learn more about each other, avoid future obstacles, and learn the best ways to support one another. The elements of discussion will depend on which partnership you both choose. Some examples include how much revenue the business will donate with each product sale, the requirements of fundraisers and events and who will be the primary communicators for the business and non-profit. This is when companies should clarify what is negotiable and non-negotiable. Communicating these key elements will ensure the partnership is sustainable, long-term and mutually beneficial.

Canada accepts hundreds of thousands of newcomers every year. 2022 was a record-breaking year, with Canada welcoming 437,180 immigrants. Newcomers often have big aspirations when they migrate to Canada. This is why many pursue post-secondary education or start their own businesses. Despite research and statistics proving their benefits to the Canadian economy, there are still xenophobic misconceptions and stereotypes towards newcomers. For instance, some believe that immigrants increase crime and exacerbate job shortages. Although these perceptions are incorrect, the harmfulness fuels obstacles newcomers face when trying to find a job in Canada. For example, immigrants usually have to take lower-paying jobs once they reach Canada because the training and education they received in their country of origin are not transmissible to Canadian qualifications. Other obstacles include language barriers and a lack of knowledge of Canada’s legal system and business procedures. Additionally, newcomers don’t have access to personal connections and communities in Canada. An often-overlooked fact is that these obstacles further push newcomers to be self-employed or establish their own businesses. These self-employment ventures and businesses significantly contribute to the Canadian economy. Canada is very particular about which newcomers are accepted. Often, the most welcomed immigrants are those aged 25-54 and placed under the economic category. Immigrants are placed under the economic category when their skills meet what is required in the labour market. Immigrants can also be placed under the economic category if they have a business plan. In 2021, 56.3 per cent of immigrants welcomed to Canada were classified under the economic category. This disproves the misconception that immigrants are unqualified or not ready to work. Immigrants also own more businesses and have higher self-employment rates than Canadian-born citizens. Statistics Canada reported that 11.9 per cent of immigrants are self-employed or own a business. In comparison, 10.1 per cent of Canadian-born individuals with immigrant parents have a business or are self-employed. This makes sense, given the barriers noted previously that immigrants face when getting a job. In addition, immigrants represent 33 per cent of all business owners with paid staff. Over 260,000 immigrants that own a business have paid employees. Businesses boost the Canadian economy by providing jobs, producing tax revenue, increasing GDP and putting money back into the community. However, one of the main reasons why immigrant businesses differ from Canadian-born businesses is that they boost international trade. According to a study by Statistics Canada in 2019, immigrant-owned firms tend to trade materials from the owner’s region of origin. This is particularly common in the manufacturing business. Immigrant-owned firms in the manufacturing industry import and export from outside countries at a higher rate than Canadian-owned businesses. This is because immigrants are more knowledgeable about the trade system in their mother countries. They also have more social networks with individuals that live in their country of origin. Using their connections decreases transaction costs while maintaining the demand for goods from their region of origin. Additionally, international trade is more comfortable for immigrants that own firms. This is because they understand their country of origin’s language, business culture and preferences. The result is not only economic benefits for Canada but also for the global economy. Canadians must reject the negative misconceptions surrounding newcomers. The number of immigrant businesses and how they function showcase their economic value in Canada. They deserve to be supported, accepted and acknowledged for their contributions. Not only do newcomers and immigrant-owned businesses benefit the Canadian economy, but they add to the diversity and vibrancy of Canada. Given that one in four Canadians are or were once immigrants, Canada would not be Canada without them.

Canada has seen many changes in the profitability of its industries, especially at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many industries have begun to decline, while others have managed to flourish. Aspiring business owners may wonder which industries are currently viable to tap into. Continue reading to learn about some of Canada’s growing and declining industries. Growing Hotels The hotel industry was hit hard during the COVID-19 pandemic as international travel was halted. However, since travel restrictions have loosened, the industry has slowly regrown. One report by Commercial Real Estate Services Canada found that in June and July 2022, the hotel industry saw Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR) exceed 2019 levels, indicating that the industry is beginning to return to its pre-pandemic state.   This growth can be attributed to loosening travel restrictions, particularly among domestic and U.S. travellers. Additionally, event scheduling has returned across the country, encouraging increased travel and the need for hotels.  E-commerce This industry has been greatly aided by increasing internet traffic over the past few years, especially since online shopping has become more popular. According to an article by Canada Post, nine out of 10 e-commerce businesses experienced an increase in sales from 2021 to 2022, with more than 35 per cent saying their sales grew by 20 per cent or more. A market forecast predicts that the e-commerce market will see an 11.03 per cent increase in revenue by the end of 2023. Cinema Canadian movie theatres’ performance largely depends on the reception of major film releases, so this industry tends to be uncertain. In addition, much of the industry’s revenue is driven by Cineplex, which accounts for more than 60 per cent of the market.  However, this industry is still profitable. Statistics Canada reported that Canadian film productions saw a 20.2 per cent revenue increase from 2019 to 2021. This number continued to increase as restrictions were loosened further, and this growth may be attributed to a buildup of projects delayed during the pandemic. Full-service restaurants The restaurant industry has seen a significant revival after the pandemic. A report published by Circana found that restaurant visits increased by 11 per cent in the first quarter of 2023. Additionally, despite increased prices, spending increased by 18 per cent.  This increase can be largely attributed to the gradual change in people’s behaviour outside the home, such as the return to in-person work, as morning meal demand increased by 13 per cent in 2023. Declining Newspaper publishing The newspaper industry continues to face serious competition from digital media. A 2023 report found that revenue in this industry decreased by 9.5 per cent from 2018 to 2023. Printed newspaper sales have declined as online outlets offer the same material more conveniently and at a lower cost. The pandemic was believed to be a huge factor in this decline as consumers were stuck at home and primarily engaged with online news stories. Canned fruit and vegetable processing With increasing health concerns, this industry has seen a recent decline. Many consumers are turning to fresh produce goods, so demand for canned goods has decreased steadily. According to a recent report, the revenue in this industry is expected to drop by 1.2 per cent by the end of 2023. Bookstores Similarly to the newspaper industry, bookstores have seen serious competition from online retailers and e-books. A report says that although bookstore revenue increased between 2013 and 2018, the industry experienced a 7.4 percent annual market size drop from 2018 to 2023. Online retailers can offer products at more competitive prices, slowly driving the profitability of bookstores downward. Paper mills The demand for paper products has decreased in recent years, and the industry is expected to decline. A 2023 report found that the industry’s revenue is expected to decrease by 6.4 per cent from 2018 to 2023, with a predicted 2.3 per cent revenue drop in 2023 alone. As discussed earlier, there is a decreasing demand for newspapers in favour of digital media. However, this lowered demand expands past newspapers to include other paper-based products, such as office supplies.  Keep in mind that industry performances constantly fluctuate and may change without warning. Just because an industry is in decline now doesn’t mean it will always be that way, and the same applies to growing industries. Continue to research industry trends to remain updated on the latest industry changes.    

Toronto has 10,000 homeless people, making it the city in Canada with the largest homeless population. People can become homeless for a variety of reasons. Some prominent causes include poverty, abuse, lack of employment and housing, substance use and ,mental health issues. Although 44 per cent of all homeless shelters in Canada are based in Ontario, an average of 40 homeless individuals are turned away each night. While the government needs to address the root causes of homelessness, Ontario-based businesses could be part of the solution by supporting local homeless communities. In 2021, there were 437,891 small businesses operating in Ontario. Since this number continues to increase, Ontario businesses have the potential to impact the homeless population. Marissa Sheff, the founder of Sock Footage, saw an opportunity to help the homeless community once she learned more about a commonly overlooked item of clothing: socks. “Socks were one of the most needed and least donated items to homeless shelters,” said Sheff. The reason, explained Sheff, is that most homeless shelters do not accept used socks or underwear. This inspired Sheff to found Sock Footage, a brand dedicated to donating socks to homeless individuals and breaking the negative stigma associated with homelessness. The organization’s one-for-one model ensures that for every sock bought, a pair is donated to someone in need. Sheff said she believes that the fact that consumers can choose the donation method makes their business stand out. “I actually give the consumer the opportunity to decide if they themselves want to give the donation face to face to someone in need or if they want us to take care of the donation,” said Sheff. Kind Karma Company is another business with a unique model that directly helps the homeless community. They employ at-risk homeless youth to make custom jewelry to help them achieve financial independence. “I think a lot of the times marginalized individuals have limited choices because of either lack of education, mental health challenges, things like that,” said Laurinda Lee-Retter, the founder of Kind Karma. “So, by offering them employment that caters to those factors specifically, it allows for a greater chance of success.” Kind Karma Company not only supports the homeless community, but they also provide safe workplace environments for their employees. Lee-Retter said that they have a “come as you are” rule in the workplace. This rule means that if you are feeling emotional, you are still welcome to work without judgement. Because you get to see people at their worst, sometimes facing really challenging situations, it becomes just a natural support system, so everybody here supports each other,” said Lee-Retter. The compassion expressed within the workplace of Kind Karma, Sock Footage and other businesses supporting the homeless population is contagious, Sheff has found that when Socks Footage customers choose to give a pair of donated socks to a homeless individual face to face, they are often motivated to continue the cycle of compassion and create their own philanthropic initiatives. She shared that after one of her customers decided to hand out their donated socks to homeless individuals, they organized a donation drive. The drive focused on securing other essential items like deodorant, toothbrushes and, toothpaste for homeless communities. Additionally, the customer put together 120 care packages with their family to distribute to homeless individuals during Christmas. Similarly, Kind Karma aims to spark change in the community and challenge consumers to rethink their negative perceptions towards the homeless community. “As much as we sell jewelry, we are also selling change in our communities,” said Lee-Retter. “That message is what resonates with our customers, and I think that’s why we have such a high returning rate of consumers.” Ultimately, businesses that help the homeless community tend to have healthier workplaces. They also have a higher return rate of customers and a stronger impact on consumers and other community members. Sheff and Lee-Retter agree that getting there is easier than some think. Sheff stated that donating a portion of proceeds and, leftover stock is a step in the right direction. Another option is organizing volunteer days for employees in your company. Lee-Retter said that if it seems overwhelming to address several issues, start with a simple idea and allow it to transform over time. “As long as you have that passion and that desire to make a difference, start somewhere and don’t let all the issues bog you down,” said Lee-Retter.

Organized labour movements have been on the rise lately. Several high-profile cases have indicated that many employees want their workplaces to unionize. Starbucks stores across the United States chose to unionize throughout 2022, leading to more than 250 locations unionizing that year. Around the same time, Amazon workers at a New York warehouse made history by forming the company’s first union in the U.S. Most recently, Hollywood writers and actors have begun to strike as part of the American actors’ union Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) ongoing labour dispute with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). Similar attempts to unionize have been occurring across Canada. Healthcare workers, education employees, carpenters and Canadian National Railway workers are just a few of the industries trying to unionize. There have also been reports of strikes and labour disruptions as unions and employers battle it out during bargaining attempts, and these strikes are predicted to continue in the upcoming months. The number of unions across North America has been decreasing for decades, and despite reports of a union boom, union membership has continued to decline. An article published by NPR earlier this year reports that roughly one in 10 American workers belong to a union, a rate that has dropped since its peak in the 1950s when one in three belonged to a union. Despite the overall low union participation, there is a growing desire among certain workers to unionize. Even though union participation fell in the U S across 2022, unionized workers increased by 200,000. Why are workers trying to unionize, and what are they trying to achieve? Rising inflation, higher pay Although inflation in Canada fell to 2.8 per cent in June 2023, it has risen by 15.36 per cent since 2020. Groceries, in particular,  have seen a year-over-year increase of 8.3 per cent in prices and a two-year change of 17.9 per cent. Additionally, basic living expenses have been rising. Adam Murray, a Toronto-based cook and labour activist, has felt this dramatic jump. “I’m at a point where I think twice about buying butter now. It’s ridiculous,” he said. Murray aspires to create a union in his restaurant and has ambitions to spread organized labour to other kitchen workers. One of the primary motivators for these efforts is to keep up with the rising cost of living. Statistics Canada reported that wages increased an average of 3.1 per cent in 2022 while official inflation rates rose by 5.1 per cent. Canadians have especially felt the rising costs of critical and essential needs, such as housing, food and gasoline. Murray said this has led to a much lower standard of living for him and his coworkers. A report by TD Economics explains that the standard of living in Canada is among the lowest among wealthy nations and is not expected to fully regain its former position until 2060. Although the report blames poor nationwide business productivity and innovation for this change, the lower standard of living associated with higher basic living expenses is felt by many Canadians. Murray said he believes that workers wanting higher pay is not related to greed; they just want to keep up with the higher cost of living. A 2022 report from the U.S. House and Senate committees showed unionized workers earn 10.2 per cent higher wages than non-unionized workers in the same roles. As living expenses continue to rise, workers need increased pay to keep up with these demands, and one way to achieve this is through unionizing. Illegal labour practices Murray explained that illegal practices are commonplace in restaurants, and in his experience, employees are expected to work without breaks during shifts as long as 12 hours. This violates Ontario’s labour laws, which entitles workers to a 30-minute break within the first five hours of a shift. In addition to a lack of breaks, Murray said the restaurant industry commonly expects kitchen workers to work shifts longer than 12 hours without earning overtime pay. This also breaks Ontario labour laws, entitling workers to overtime pay after an eight-hour shift. Unions can help protect workers against unfair and illegal employment practices, including safeguarding workers from wage theft and wage disparity while promoting the enforcement of health and safety regulations. Who benefits from unions?    Unions are not without vocal opposition. Anti-union advocates argue unions actively harm businesses by decreasing companies’ profits, which could lead to layoffs, poor innovation or failure. According to the Economic Policy Institute, unions are better for workers, communities and the government. Over 3,700 employees of the grocery retailer Metro went on strike in July after their long-standing union failed to reach an agreement with company leaders over core concerns, including pay, health and sick leave benefits and stable work hours. This agreement would aim to improve employee satisfaction while decreasing the ongoing staffing crisis in the retail sector and increasing local communities’ access to groceries. Murray said he believes that most companies have extra money to cover the costs of higher wages, benefits and legal protections associated with joining a union. However, this may not be true in all cases. Small businesses, which comprise a majority of employer businesses in Canada, can be disadvantaged since they may be unable to cover the extra costs of being unionized. Despite these concerns, it’s important to remember that it is illegal for an employer to retaliate against employees wishing to unionize. Instead of working against employees, an employer can benefit from a union as well, as it offers a chance to engage in meaningful, ongoing dialogue to make employment practices more standardized and predictable. Contrary to fears, it is actually in the union’s best interest to ensure the ongoing survival of their employer. For Murray and other pro-union workers, a company’s profits are not more important than employees being able to afford their basic living expenses. It’s uncertain whether or not the new union movement will stick around, but for now, unions and unionized workers

Yearly, an average of 41 per cent of small businesses are reported to contribute to Canada’s gross domestic product. 12.8 per cent of medium businesses contribute to it.  However, women are less inclined to start a business, taking up only 16 per cent of entrepreneurs. Women from racialized and disabled groups are even less inclined to do so.  In fact, they have limited access to resources and funding to even start planning a business. The report also found that women tend to start businesses at twice the rate of men. Yet, they have higher chances of failing or not achieving the same growth. This was found to correlate with less access to capital. It also correlates with less likelihood to seek debt and equity financing and little promotion among Canada’s supplier chains. Women-owned small- and medium-sized enterprises make up less than five per cent of suppliers within all levels of Canadian public sector corporations. ELLA is a leading women’s-based research initiative from York University. They estimated that by closing the gender gap, Canada could see financial growth of as much as $150 billion. In 2018, the government followed through with a new initiative called the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy (WES). The plan is to invest more than $6 billion in women-owned businesses, federal innovation, community-based programs, research and mentorship.  The strategy is the first of its kind. It partners with Toronto Metropolitan University’s Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub (WEKH), which comprises over 300 organizations. Over 100,000 female entrepreneurs have already received access to these resources.  Redefining ‘entrepreneur’ Ayaa Mohamad is the project manager for Scadding Court Community’s Women Entrepreneur Hub (WE-Hub), an organization involved with WES. Since the first cohort of 2018, the program has built many female leaders through customized support, training and mentorship. Unique to WE-Hub is market testing, where participants get to try out their business ideas in risk-free controlled environments. Every year, it varies from collaboration with other market organizers or temporary access to a co-working space with other vendors. Participants get real interaction with customers and mentoring from experts. Beyond their goal of starting a business, Mohamad stressed the need for holistic approaches to building female leaders. Mohamad said unconditional social support for the journey is vital in building confident entrepreneurs. Rather than preparing women through a technical and competitive environment similar to a post-secondary program. “We focus more on the journey than the result. A failure is just as much as a success,” she said. “When you have that community of support, you are more likely to try and gain clarity of your life in general.” Despite lacking business education, through years of helping female entrepreneurs, Mohamad felt inspired to start her side hustle: Papaya Petals. Helping facilitate a safe space for women to learn, interact and grow their business ideas improved her confidence. In her journey with WE-Hub, Mohamad also saw the need for a new perception of entrepreneurship. Traditionally, the word has cemented a specific image of a white male in a fancy suit who leads a large corporation with an aggressive personality. “My goal is to help redefine the word ‘entrepreneur,’” said the project manager. “The young woman in her cheap Scarborough apartment trying to start up her candle business—that’s an entrepreneur as much as anyone else.”  A new future for business infrastructures In facing multi-faceted barriers, female leaders are more likely to innovate new policies for management, structure and problem-solving. Also helping create these innovators is My Start-Up, with the Elizabeth Fry organization in Toronto. The program engages participants in university-level classes and one-on-one training with experts from the industry they’re interested in. It also provides the ‘social work’ part of the training. Project and employment coordinators Meera Umasuthan and Halyna Vinnichenko use their experiences in the social services to help female entrepreneurs.  They use their knowledge to help women navigate their unique intersectional identities. They do so through wrap-around support, such as access to employment or child support.  “A lot of the women that come in face obstacles in receiving an education or simply do not have the time as single parents,” Umausuthan said. “We address those challenges for free to make their goals more accessible.” Umausuthan and Vinnichenko have already witnessed the benefits of supporting women interested in business. As they formed close relationships, the entrepreneurs were always passionate about giving back to the community. They did so either through donations or as mentors themselves.