News and Announcements

Fairness for the Self-Employed Act

On December 15, 2009, Bill C-56, Fairness for the Self-Employed Act received Royal Assent. The Bill amended the Employment Insurance Act to provide access to maternity, parental, sickness and compassionate care benefits to self-employed people, who choose to register for access to Employment Insurance Benefits for Self-Employed People.

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As of January 31, 2010, self-employed people can register for access to EI Special Benefits.

The four types of special benefits are:

• Maternity benefits;

• Parental benefits;

• Sickness benefits; and,

• Compassionate care benefits.

Register by April 1, 2010 and be eligible to apply for benefits as early as January 1, 2011. A waiting period of 12 months before applying for benefits will occur if registered after April 1, 2010.

February 4, 2010

Hon. Helena Guergis announces $135,000 project funding

Hon. Helena Guergis visited the Women’s Enterprise Centre of Manitoba on Thursday, February 4, 2010 to announce federal funding for the WEC-Tech program, a pilot project that was conceived and designed by the Women’s Enterprise Centre to provide comprehensive technology support for women in small business. 

Several studies have shown that there is a positive correlation between optimal business growth and the adoption and utilization of new technologies.

According to Sandra Altner, CEO of the Women’s Enterprise Centre, “The WEC-Tech program will allow us to help Manitoba women entrepreneurs to make better use of 21st century technology for business productivity and profitability.  We’ve been dreaming of this project for over a year.  Without the help of Status of Women, it would have remained only a dream.  So, as you can imagine, this is a very exciting day for us.”

The focus at the Women’s Enterprise Centre is to provide assistance to women through the life of their businesses. While it is encouraging to see the number of Centre clients who are exploring opportunities for growth, many more would be inspired to do so if they could utilize the tools that would allow them to work smarter, not harder. That is where technology comes in.

Business growth is important not only for the entrepreneur but also for the economy as a whole. Successful businesses are vital to healthy communities.  Business growth for women means creation of assets, creation of wealth and, often, creation of a legacy that can be passed on to family members.  It can mean economic stability for families and for whole communities.

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Alison Kirkland, Women's Enterprise Centre of Manitoba, Minister Helena Guergis, Minister of State - Status of Women and Sandra Altner, CEO		Rod Bruinooge, MP, Minister Helen Guergis, Barb Gamey, Chair, WEC Board of Directors, Sandra Altner, CEO

 

WECM Entrepreneurship Centre of Excellence

Online Business Plan Development Series

The Women’s Enterprise Centre of Manitoba and the WECM Entrepreneurship Centre of Excellence are launching a state-of-the art online business plan development series.

Designed specifically for on-line delivery, it will assist entrepreneurs gain an understanding of the importance of a business plan, and what should be included in the development of a comprehensive and effective plan.

Using a step-by-step process, the business plan development series will help entrepreneurs explore their business concepts and then build the foundation for a successful enterprise. The series begins with a discussion of market research techniques and follows the development of a marketing plan. Presentation of the basic market planning components is followed by a discussion of the operational and logistical aspects of the business. Finally, the participants will be challenged to think hard about the financial requirements of getting the business up and running.  The major business planning sections are all tied together in a concise and user-friendly format. Each workshop builds on lessons learned in the previous sessions and participants are encouraged to work on their plan as they progress through the series.

The series is slated to launch in February 2010. Prior to launching this major initiative we will invite a number of stakeholders and entrepreneurs concerned with business plan development to help us test the series. Naturally, there will be no charge for testing the training program, and as an extra thank you, we will enter the testers in a draw for a special prize.

If you are interested in learning more about the WECM Entrepreneurship Centre of Excellence Business Plan Development Series or would like to be involved in the testing process, please contact Michele McClymont by phone at 204-988-1872 or by e-mail at mmcclymont@wecm.ca.