FedNor invests over $24 million in second quarter to support economic recovery across Northern Ontario

 Sudbury, ON – Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario – FedNor

The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for FedNor, highlighted how FedNor investments made during the last quarter, which are expected to help create or maintain close to 2600 jobs in Northern Ontario. During the period of July 1 to September 30, 2022, FedNor invested a total of $24,224,779 in 71 strategic initiatives led by local businesses, organizations, communities and First Nations across Northern Ontario. This total includes $8.3 million in relief funding support for 46 projects in the region.

Through its core programs, FedNor has supported key sectors across Northern Ontario with major investments across the region. Some of which include $2.3 million in support of three medical technology and innovation projects in the Thunder Bay region, $2 million for two Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) projects in Greater Sudbury, and $950,000 in two agri-food projects in Sault Ste. Marie, and gave $240,000 for the Economic Partners-Sudbury East/West Nipissing Inc to establish the Northern Ontario Agri-Food Pavilion at the 100th Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. Under the Community Futures Program, FedNor also partnered with the 24 Community Futures Development Corporations located throughout Northern Ontario to support community strategic planning initiatives and provide small and medium-sized enterprises with access to capital and business counselling services.

FedNor funding has helped a broad range Northern Ontario businesses, organizations and communities rebuild following the pandemic. With this assistance businesses have continued to innovate, create jobs and grow the economy, particularly in the tourism sector.

Below are examples of businesses and organizations that were directly supported by FedNor during the second quarter of 22/23.

Through a FedNor contribution of $875,000 under the Economic Development Initiative (EDI) program, the Cooperation Council of Ontario (CCO) will develop a three-year promotional and outreach plan to support the development and growth of social enterprises (SEs) and CO-OPs in official language minority communities (OLMCs) across Northern Ontario. The CCO will create nine SEs in collaboration with equity groups, three Youth Services Cooperatives and host annual conferences/forums, such as the Salon des femmes entrepreneurs sociales and Cooperation Week. It is expected that 35 new jobs and 15 strategic alliances will be created, as well as 50 jobs and 60 strategic alliances maintained.

FedNor is providing $426,500 through the Northern Ontario Development Program (NODP)  to the Timmins Economic Development Corporation (TEDC) to help launch the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada's (IRCC) Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) program. Timmins is one of 11 communities across Canada chosen to implement the new pilot program. FedNor NODP funding will be used to hire a RNIP Project Coordinator to develop and implement a community-wide awareness and employer outreach campaign. This campaign will promote the important benefits of attracting and retaining newcomers, including francophones, women and youth, to the Timmins community.

The Pikangikum Youth Sawmill Project is receiving $386,035 from FedNor though the NODP to upgrade the mill site. Equipment will be updated to increase safety, efficiency and productivity on this remote First Nation community. The sawmill will purchase special equipment including a four wheel drive loader, a log trailer with skidding winch and one industrial planer to harvest and transport larger volumes of logs and biomass. In addition, improvements to the mill site will involve grading, laying of geotextile and gravel, installing a year-round, heated 3,800 square foot Quonset hut and adding a fire safety pump house. The youth employees will be trained on the safe operation and maintenance of the new equipment, thus maintaining the current six positions.