Working at a grassroots level with municipalities and First Nation communities is key to building a strong thriving national economy. That is why we are stepping up efforts to help them identify and capitalize on opportunities to develop, diversify and grow their economies. Through Regional Development Agencies like FedNor, the federal government is investing to strengthen rural communities and enable small and medium-sized enterprises to grow and create meaningful jobs for Canadians.

Today, Marc G. Serré, Member of Parliament for Nickel Belt and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Official Languages, announced a Government of Canada investment of $238,865 to help create and maximize economic development opportunities in the communities of French River and Markstay-Warren. The announcement was made on behalf of the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for FedNor.

Provided through FedNor’s Community Investment Initiative for Northern Ontario (CIINO), the funding will enable Economic Partners Sudbury East-West Nipissing to retain an Economic Development Officer (EDO) on staff for an additional three-year period. The EDO will undertake and advance a variety of priority projects that will help create jobs, support recovery efforts, strengthen the economy, and position the region for sustainable growth and prosperity. This includes land development, investment attraction, enhancing tourism, and helping businesses start-up, scale-up, improve productivity, or access new markets.

Northern Ontario has been hard hit by COVID-19 and today’s announcement is further proof of the Government of Canada’s commitment to families, municipalities and Indigenous communities, helping them to not just survive, but thrive. Initiatives like this will help get Canadians back to work and ensure that northern and First Nation communities are set to fully participate in Canada’s economic recovery.

Quotes

“Strong regional economies are essential for Canada’s success and sustainability. Today’s announcement is helping Economic Partners strengthen the region’s economic outlook, create employment opportunities and support a stronger, more diversified economy. Our government recognizes the unique needs of Northern Ontario and is investing to ensure municipalities and Indigenous communities can diversify, grow and achieve their long-term economic goals.”

• The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for FedNor

“Our support for Economic Partners is a perfect example of how we are empowering Northern Ontario communities to take charge of their economic futures to achieve long-term success. This three-year initiative will support more than 30 businesses, help attract skilled workers and maximize economic opportunities in the communities of French River and Markstay-Warren. I look forward to witnessing first-hand the positive results this priority project will deliver for the people, communities and businesses of Nickel Belt and beyond.”

• Marc G. Serré, Member of Parliament for Nickel Belt and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Official Languages

“Thanks to FedNor, with this support we are able retain an economic expert on staff that understands our economy and has the knowledge and experience to advance local priorities such as entrepreneurship, business, tourism and workforce development. This investment will allow us to build on the economic momentum we generated with phase one of the project, which resulted in business development and growth that led to 26 new jobs and more than seven million in economic benefits for partner communities.”

• Claude Bouffard, Chair, Economic Partners Sudbury East-West Nipissing

Quick Facts

• The funding announced today is provided through FedNor’s Northern Ontario Development Program (NODP) /  Community Investment Initiative for Northern Ontario, which enables communities and First Nations to increase the number of community and/or regional economic development initiatives implemented, leading to increased business investment, job creation, and regional collaboration and partnerships.

• Since 2015, FedNor has provided more than 179 million in NODP funding to support 477 projects, which helped create and maintain more than 8,300 jobs in communities and First Nations across Northern Ontario

• Based in Sturgeon Falls, Economic Partners Sudbury East-Nipissing West Inc. is one of 24 Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs) funded by FedNor to serve Northern Ontario businesses and communities. The organization’s service area includes the communities of Dokis First Nation,
  French-River, Markstay-Warren, Nipissing First Nation, St.-Charles, and West Nipissing.

Media Contact
Matthew Ierino
Special Assistant, Marc G. Serré MP for Nickel Belt
[email protected]
705-507-2416