Réseau des Femmes d’affaires du Québec Calls on Women Entrepreneurs to Take Their Place in Canadian Supply Chains

As the “Buy Canadian” movement gains momentum, the Maïa platform connects women-owned businesses with major buyers in the public and private sectors across Canada.

MONTRÉAL, October 29, 2026 – As trade tensions with the United States accelerate the restructuring of Canadian supply chains and drive greater demand for domestic suppliers, the Réseau des Femmes d’affaires du Québec (RFAQ) is calling on women entrepreneurs across Canada to seize new business opportunities. Its goal is to foster business relationships among women-owned companies, encourage Canadian sourcing and increase their participation in the supply chains of major buyers in the public and private sectors by inviting them to join its Maïa platform.

Women-owned businesses play an important role in Canada's economy, accounting for 20.6% of private-sector businesses in the first quarter of 2026 (Statistics Canada). Yet they remain underrepresented in supply chains in the public and private sectors, partly due to a lack of structured access to procurement opportunities.

“Canada is at an economic turning point. Now more than ever, we need to support Canadian businesses, strengthen our supply chains and create more opportunities to do business with one another. Women-owned businesses have an essential role to play in this effort, not only as suppliers to major buyers, but also by doing more business with each other. Buying Canadian also means choosing to collaborate, opening up new markets and keeping wealth circulating within our economy. Through Maïa, we want to turn this commitment into tangible business opportunities and contribute to the strength and prosperity of the Canadian economy,” said Ruth Vachon, CEO of the RFAQ.

Already active across Canada, including in Quebec, Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia, Maïa has nearly 2,000 registered users and has helped engage more than 1,700 businesses. The RFAQ now aims to expand its reach by bringing an additional 15,000 women entrepreneurs into the network. Ultimately, this initiative could generate up to $177 million in economic impact.

To turn these opportunities into tangible economic benefits, Maïa facilitates business relationships among women-owned companies while improving their access to buyers in the public and private sectors. Through intelligent algorithmic matching and artificial intelligence tools, the platform creates strategic connections between businesses, encourages collaboration and matches their expertise with buyers' specific needs. It also facilitates access to calls for tenders and offers training and networking activities to support women entrepreneurs in growing their businesses.

Interested women entrepreneurs and buyers can register for free on Maïa at maiaconnex.ca.

Maïa (maiaconnex.ca) is the RFAQ's digital platform providing women-owned businesses with structured access to tenders, expressions of interest and contracts across Canada through intelligent algorithmic matching and artificial intelligence tools. It also creates opportunities for women-owned businesses to work with one another, encouraging collaboration and procurement from Canadian women-owned companies, thereby contributing to the strength of the Canadian economy. The platform also offers training in bidding and business growth, as well as networking events.

Maïa receives support from Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, the Government of Canada and BDC.

Founded more than 45 years ago, the Réseau des Femmes d’affaires du Québec (RFAQ) is Quebec's largest women's business network. It provides its members with a platform, events and a network that match their ambitions through peer-support groups, specialized programs (AccèsCible, InterCible, Innov’Elles and Cercle des leaders) and international trade missions.

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