TORONTO- The federal government said they’ll give $421,720 to help attract more women into Canada’s trucking industry.

The announcement was made by Minister of Labour and Minister of Status of Women, Kellie Leitch, at Trucking HR Canada’s first Women With Drive Summit, held in Toronto on March 5, 2015.

Leitch was part of a pannel advocating for mentorship opportunities for women. 

“Taking on a leadership role is easier if you have an advocate, a champion at the table, rooting for you,” she said. “It’s important to have someone in your industry who understands what your role is, sees your potential and contributes meaningfully to the advancement of your career.” 

Trucking HR Canada will receive:

• $296,720 for a three-year project to engage women and representatives from all levels of the trucking industry to create a sustainable mentorship model for women. The project will identify barriers and opportunities for women entering into and advancing within the industry, as they develop and pilot a mentorship model with employers in targeted communities in British Columbia, Manitoba and Ontario.
• $125,000 for a project to improve the workplace participation of groups that are under-represented in the transportation sector. This funding will allow the organization to develop a business case for workplace diversity, productivity and efficiency. A seminar and webinar will also be developed to support employers in implementing workplace diversity programs.

“Our Government’s number one priority is to create jobs and opportunities for all Canadians. One of the ways we do this is by supporting community-based projects that support economic security and prosperity for women. We know that when women succeed, our entire country prospers,” Leitch said.

Leitch made a similar announcement in 2014, when the government gave $242,721 to the Trucking Human Resource Sector Council Atlantic to help attract more women into the trucking industry in the Atlantic provinces.