The document is an opening remarks transcript from Wendy Curtis welcoming the Honourable Mary Ng, Canada's Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade, to the Venture13 Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre. Curtis highlights Minister Ng's commitment to strengthening women's leadership and supporting women entrepreneurs. Curtis also emphasizes that supporting women-led businesses will remain a top priority for the Government of Canada in helping economic recovery from COVID-19. Finally, Curtis thanks Minister Ng for her inspiring leadership and for the Government of Canada's support of initiatives empowering women's entrepreneurship.

1. Unofficial Transcript 1 | P a g e
WENDY CURTIS, OPENING REMARKS – July 17, 2020
Good morning, Honourable Minister, distinguished guests, colleagues and partners, FedDev Ontario and
the team from Windsor Essex Economic Development Corporation and to all others who are joining us
remotely via YouTube today.
My name is Wendy Curtis. I am the Executive Director of Northumberland Community Futures
Development Corporation and on behalf of our Board of Directors and our partners at Windsor Essex
Economic Development, it is my great pleasure to welcome today to the Venture13 Innovation and
Entrepreneurship Centre in Cobourg Canada’s Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and
International Trade.
The Honourable Mary Ng was elected as Member of Parliament for Markham–Thornhill in April, 2017.
Minister Ng is a devoted community leader who has always believed in the power of public service. She
has 20 years of experience in the areas of education, women’s leadership, job creation, and
entrepreneurship.
The Honourable Minister’s commitment to strengthening the leadership position of women, and the
success of women entrepreneurs, is beyond doubt.
On March 8 2020, just over a week before the Province of Ontario would announce a State of Emergency
due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Global Affairs Canada issued a joint statement as part of International
Women’s Day.
Minister Ng and her Cabinet colleagues affirmed that while recognizing the achievements women and
girls have made throughout history, we must remain committed to the work that still needs be done to
ensure they have equal opportunities to succeed—here and around the world.
On May 16, Minister Ng announced strategic funding and support through the Women Entrepreneurship
Strategy of the Government of Canada, signaling that women-led and women-owned business support
would be prioritized as part of the federal response to economic recovery and revitalization.
I quote the Minister: “Canadian women entrepreneurs are key to our economic success as a country,” she
said in her official statement. “And they make invaluable contributions to our communities. However,
women still face unique and systemic barriers to starting and growing a business, and they remain
underrepresented in our economy.”
Thank you Minister……those comments are very true, yet it is equally clear as we all begin to reform and
revive our approach to economic development and diversification in the wake of COVID-19, that women
must be and will be at the forefront, and that support for women-led business will remain a top priority for
FedDev Ontario and the Government of Canada in 2020 and beyond.

2. Unofficial Transcript 2 | P a g e
Here at Venture13, through our fintech-driven DELIA accelerator which is a women focused initiative…..
supported by you through the Government of Canada Women Entrepreneurship Strategy…… through our
Community Futures Program investment fund (with its greater than equal share of risk capital backing
women-owned and women-led business in Northumberland), with the women of our staff and Board who
exemplify the entrepreneurial spirit, and with our many wonderfully inspiring clients and CF partners
across Eastern Ontario (with whom we have worked to actively co-invest in innovation capital through
FedDev Ontario initiatives like the Rural Innovation Initiative…….. across all of our programming as an
innovation NGO, I can say with certainty that our organization reflects and upholds the values of the
Government of Canada in seeking at all times and in all ways to empower and advance the cause of
women’s entrepreneurship for the benefit of all.
In fact Minister, I’d like to thank the Government of Canada for making Gender -Based Analysis Plus
easily accessible on-line through the Ministry for the Status of Women-Canada. Everyone at
Northumberland CFDC has completed the free on-line courses which have significantly helped us to
broaden our perspectives in making sure our initiatives and approaches consider the diversity of
Canadians and the importance of all participating in contributing to an inclusive society.
As we continue to seek equity in all of our efforts to achieve economic reformation and renewal, I am
certain that with the Minister’s inspiring leadership, we will move forward together in these uncertain
times, with confidence, optimism and strength.
Welcome to Venture13, Minister Ng!