The WECs were launched in 1994 to encourage the establishment and growth of women-owned businesses, encourage self-employment, and promote economic equality between men and women. This mandate is supported through measures to promote the concept of entrepreneurship to women, increase their access to capital, and provide services to help them develop experience, expertise, assets and credit histories. The WECs, as one-stop shops for potential and existing women entrepreneurs, are considered by the Canadian government as key to increase the take-up of government support services among women and ensure that they have better access to support services.