The Membership for Women and Gender-Diverse Business Owners.
The more folks we have in our network, the stronger our case becomes in front of policymakers at the highest levels. We need as many individuals as possible to band with us so we can make real - and lasting - change for the better.
We recognize the diverse experiences of newly immigrated, racialized, Indigenous, LGBTQIA2S+, gender diverse, francophone, northern and rural, low-income, young and senior women, and women with disabilities.
We seek input from these communities to ensure programs, services, and resources provide equitable support to all women in business.
Those who identify with any of the following can self-determine the amount they can pay for their CanWCC Annual Membership, which includes all the membership benefits listed above:
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- Annual income less than $30,000 CAD
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- Identify as a member of the global majority
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- Are living with a disability
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- Are located in small towns, villages, or populated places with fewer than 1,000 people
The eligibility requirements for the Pay What You Can membership pricing are meant as guidelines for members to use to self-assess whether Equity Pricing is a suitable option for them.
Our members come for our community but stay for our advocacy.
"This is the best decision we've made in a while and an empowering and transformative decision for a businesswoman.
Gaining access to a vibrant community of like-minded women entrepreneurs and professionals who are dedicated to supporting and advocating for one another.
It offers a range of resources, including educational programs, events, and initiatives tailored to empower women in their professional endeavours.
Being part of the Canadian Women's Chamber of Commerce not only opens doors to new connections and collaborations but also enables members to contribute to the advancement of women in business."
"It is great to be seen and have a chance to talk about what I do.
I've got confidence in myself that I never had before as a woman.
As a woman, I really felt isolated and alone most of my life. I felt like other women were competition - more than they were companions, more than they were teachers. And it took a long time - a good hot minute - for me to get that message.
But I got it now. I feel that connection, that community that we all need - It's right here."
"Signing up for CanWCC was activism for me. Although I must admit having become familiar with what CanWCC offers – that connection is a very powerful aspect of what I get from the Canadian Women’s Chamber of Commerce.
But what originally motivated me to join was as a feminist and an activist, I wanted to see women represented at the policy table. I wanted to see support and economic advocacy for women entrepreneurs.
We really saw during the pandemic how solopreneurs did not appear in the help that was offered. And we know that many, many solopreneurs are women. And so I wanted to add my voice to the voice of other women entrepreneurs.
We need our own chamber."
"As an entrepreneur, it can be lonely. There are all kinds of entrepreneur organizations, but I was really missing that focus on women.
I went to my first meeting, and it just felt like a breath of fresh air… like, you know all the books on my bookshelf and all the ideas in my head are being spoken by other people - I felt like I was home.
And every time there's a meeting or a town hall, I just feel more and more hopeful about the state of the business world."
"There are those of us out here, CanWCC chief among us (thank you!), who believe in you.
We believe in what you’re doing even on the days when you do not. We’re in your corner and believe that what you are doing deeply matters, even more than you might think it does.
Having CanWCC has really helped me stretch into owning my place as an entrepreneur and believing that all of us women out here making it happen are valuable and important, not just in our immediate circles but to the economy and to our society.
We matter."
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Represent a Canadian resident business entity (sole proprietor, corporation, or partnership) that is at least 50% woman-owned – and has a woman leader/CEO
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Represent a Canadian not-for-profit corporation with a minimum of 50% women at the Board of Directors level