FedDev Ontario Announces Support for Francophone Communities

News release

$1.25 million for a new program to help Francophone businesses and not-for-profit organizations

January 30, 2019 — Ottawa, Ontario

The Government of Canada recognizes that strong Official Language Minority Communities (OLMCs) celebrate our shared history and identity, and play an important role in economic development and diversification.

Today, Mona Fortier, Member of Parliament for Ottawa–Vanier, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for FedDev Ontario, announced that FedDev Ontario is providing l’Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario (AFO) with $1.25 million to deliver a new program that will strengthen Francophone communities in southern Ontario, attract investment and create jobs.

With this support, AFO is launching Effet multiplicateur (Multiplier Effect), a program that will provide assistance to at least 50 Francophone businesses and not-for-profit organizations, including those geared towards youth, women and new immigrants. Recipients will receive between $2,500 and $25,000 in funding and services for local initiatives across the region to maximize the impact of their projects and services for Francophone communities. Through this new program, AFO expects to create up to 75 jobs in southern Ontario. For more information, including how to apply, visit https://monassemblee.ca/en/.

FedDev Ontario’s funding for AFO is through the Economic Development Initiative (EDI), a national program, delivered by the regional development agencies across Canada, which builds on the strengths of each region to facilitate sustainable economic growth in OLMCs.

Quotes

“This funding for l’Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario will foster economic growth here in Ottawa and throughout Ontario by responding to the unique needs of Francophone communities. This project will foster economic development and diversification, attracting investors and creating good well-paying middle class jobs.”
– Mona Fortier, Member of Parliament for Ottawa–Vanier

“The influence of Canada’s official languages is having a positive impact on developing strong linguistic communities across the country. Our Government reiterates its commitment towards these communities by giving them the necessary tools to develop and thrive.”
– The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Tourism, Official Languages and La Francophonie

“Francophone communities play an important role in the economic development of southern Ontario and across the country. Through the Economic Development Initiative, the Government is helping to boost economic activity and enrich the culture across our country’s landscape.”
– The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for FedDev Ontario

“L’Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario welcomes the FedDev Ontario funding because it provides an excellent opportunity to strengthen the rich cultural fabric of the Francophone communities, while promoting their economic growth and promoting innovation. It will improve our Franco-Ontarian communities’ abilities to offer and obtain services meeting their needs.”
– Carol Jolin, President, L’Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario

Quick facts

  • Ontario's Francophone population is more than 600,000 people and represents the largest Francophone community in Canada outside of Quebec.

  • Founded in 2006, l’Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario is a provincial not-for-profit organization, headquartered in Ottawa, with a mission to be the uniting organization and voice of Francophones in Ontario.

  • Today’s announcement builds on previous FedDev Ontario contributions to AFO of almost $1.52 million for three projects through EDI. The first contribution supported the development of a strategic community plan, and the other two contributions supported the development and then implementation of a youth internship program where participants were placed in SMEs and not-for-profit organizations.

  • Since 2014, in southern Ontario, EDI has supported over 550 SMEs and organizations; facilitated 68 youth internships; created 62 partnerships; and leveraged $2.3 million.

  • FedDev Ontario is now accepting new projects, using a single application form, through three simplified funding streams that have been designed to meet the needs of innovators and job creators. For more information, visit www.FedDevOntario.gc.ca.

Associated links

Contacts

Media Relations
FedDev Ontario
416-954-6652
fdo.mediarel-relmedias.fdo@canada.ca

Toll Free: 1-866-593-5505
Website: www.FedDevOntario.gc.ca
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