Minister Vandal announces $200K through CanNor to support Yukon manufacturers
by CM Staff
Two women-owned Yukon small businesses receive $200,000 to help them scale up.
WHITEHORSE — On Oct. 19, as part of Small Business Week 2022, Dan Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs, Minister for PrairiesCan and Minister for CanNor, announced an investment of nearly $200,000 to support the continued growth and expansion of two women-owned Yukon small businesses.
Anto Yukon is receiving $99,999 towards a two-year project to help expand sales to international markets. Anto Yukon is a small business based in Whitehorse that manufactures and sells natural soaps and body care products that are hand-wrapped and packaged in designs by Canadian artists. These products have generated significant interest from consumers and potential distributors that target the international gift market in North America and Japan. CanNor funding supports marketing activities, the purchase and installation of efficient manufacturing equipment, as well as renovations to the new production facility.
Kaska Dena Designs is receiving $99,999 towards a two-year project to support business scale-up and productivity with further investment from the Yukon Aboriginal Women’s Council, däna Näye Ventures and the Government of Yukon’s Department of Economic Development. Kaska Dena Designs is owned and operated by fashion and jewelry designer Natasha Peter, who is Kaska-Dena from Ross River. Funding towards this project supported participation at New York International Indigenous Fashion Week as well as International Indigenous Fashion Week in Paris. It will also help with the purchase of sewing machines and associated equipment, rental fees for increased production and retail space as well as the hiring of a web content developer to create a professional web presence.
“Small businesses bring economic growth, job creation and pride to their communities. Anto Yukon and Kaska Dena Designs are no exception. Both have built businesses on talent, hard work, and, of course, quality products – products that weave together material, purpose and meaning from the inspiring Yukon surroundings. This investment supports Anto Yukon and Kaska Dena Designs in scaling-up and expanding to larger markets so that customers and distributors everywhere can appreciate the beautiful crafts of these local small businesses,” said Dan Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs, Minister for PrairiesCan and Minister for CanNor.
“This Small Business Week, let’s celebrate the incredible local businesses that make up our community, but more importantly the incredible people behind them. They help feed our families, they create local jobs, they grow our economy, and they reflect the qualities and characteristics that make our neighborhoods unique. Our government knows how difficult the last two years have been, and that small businesses continue to face challenges, but we will continue to support them by making life more affordable and ensuring they have the resources they need to succeed,” said Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade.
