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Helena Guergis, Simcoe-Grey MP

MP Guergis honoured on international stage

BY Maija Hoggett, Staff June 19, 2009 19:06

Simcoe-Grey MP Helena Guergis is making a name for herself on the international stage in her portfolio for the Status of Women. Last week she was the recipient of one of two International Luminary Awards for her work in bringing a WEConnect chapter to Canada.

While the award was handed out at the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) National Conference and Business Fair in San Francisco last week, Guergis wasn't on hand for the ceremony with the possibility in Parliament of a non-confidence vote.

Lorely Burt, the other winner, is a Member of Parliament in the United Kingdom was honoured for her work with WEConnect U.K.

"It's important to have an award for women who are, in my opinion, tireless champions for women entrepreneurs. It's also an honour to be alongside of Lorely Burt from the U.K.," said Guergis.

WEConnect Canada is a member of WEConnect International. It is a non-profit organization for firms that are at least 51 per cent owned by women. It connects them with corporate and public sector suppliers. The first 19 certified Canadian businesswomen went on their first international business trade mission to San Francisco last week.

None of the certified businesses are from Simcoe-Grey, but businesswomen in Orillia, Oakville and Mississauga were among those to receive WEConnect certification.

Guergis first came across the WEConnect organization during a trade mission to Philadelphia and New York in her former role as Secretary of State Foreign Affairs and International Trade.

"When I left there we started to get the wheels in motion and then I got changed in my portfolio and got the opportunity to do it from Status (of Women)," said Guergis.

Although Guergis didn't set out to win the International Luminary Award, she said it's in line with what she set out to do when she was given the portfolio, which is to support supplier diversity.

"Supplier diversity is what we're talking about right now. It's market access for small businesswomen and that was one of my goals that I wanted to achieve and I've done it," said Guergis. "We're not finished here, we still want to continue do more on a regional level so we can ensure all women are aware of the opportunity."

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