Alliance president Monique Leroux joins Justin Trudeau on women entrepreneurs council

Monique Leroux in Washington

The President of the International Co-operative Alliance, Monique Leroux, and nine other business leaders were invited to attend the launch of the Canada-United States Council for Advancement of Women Entrepreneurs and Business Leaders in Washington on 13 February 2017.

Ms Leroux joined Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for a roundtable discussion on how to empower women entrepreneurs.

“We have long history of co-operation, and I think that for womens’ agenda this will contribute a lot, not only for the US and Canada, but ultimately for the world,” Ms Leroux said at the roundtable.

Mr Trudeau also commented: “When I sit down with a lady executive, I know that she has had to overcome significant barriers that exist, and therefore is likely to have greater insight into how to help reduce those barriers for others, but also be a formidable contributor to the success of business and her economy.”

“So I think for me, it’s not just about doing the right thing, it’s about understanding that more women in leadership positions will be a powerful lever for success, for business, for communities, and for the economy.”

The council is an initiative to promote the growth of women-owned enterprises and to further contribute to the overall economic growth and competitiveness, as well as the economic co-operation between the US and Canada.

Monique Leroux, the International Co-operative Alliance’s president, also chairs the board of Investissement Québec and the economic and innovation council of the Quebec's government.