Minister Tassi highlights how the Government of Canada is helping create jobs, growth and an economy that works for everyone in Niagara
News release
November 8, 2022 - Niagara, ON
When we invest in Canadians, we invest in a future that benefits everyone. The Government of Canada continues to make targeted investments to support affordability, create good jobs and grow an economy that will make Canada more sustainable and prosperous for generations to come.
Today, the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), along with MP Vance Badawey and MP Chris Bittle, visited FedDev Ontario funding recipients and small business owners in the Niagara region that show how investing in Canadians’ potential helps to grow the economy. She highlighted the federal government’s commitment to support small businesses across the region and their innovative ideas that are leading to good-paying jobs and an economy that works for everyone.
While in the Niagara region, the Minister visited and toured the Validating, Prototyping and Manufacturing Institute (VPMI) at Brock University, a state-of-the-art facility that is providing resources to develop technology solutions which will lead to commercialization. In 2019, FedDev Ontario invested $5 million for Brock University to establish the VPMI as a single-site resource to help businesses in the growing bioproducts, bioscience, bioagriculture and chemical manufacturing sectors to scale up and become more competitive. This investment will support up to 33 businesses, establish 27 collaborations, create up to 30 new IP licenses, commercialize 47 new products and services, and create and maintain more than 150 jobs for the region.
The Minister also had the opportunity to visit three small businesses that received support through the My Main Street Initiative: Wandering Spirits and Keto Crumb Bakery in downtown St. Catharines and Lucky Thai restaurant in Port Colborne. These funds help small businesses like these recover from the pandemic and grow and develop so they will be an important part of the community for years to come. FedDev Ontario provided $23.25-million to the Canadian Urban Institute (CUI) and the Economic Developers Council of Ontario (EDCO) to establish My Main Street Initiative — a two-year program to support the recovery and revitalization of main streets and local businesses in more than 200 neighbourhoods across southern Ontario.
Quotes
“We’re working hand in hand with the people of Niagara to cement it as a vital hub for innovation, job creation, and economic growth - from the people working at the Validating, Prototyping and Manufacturing Institute at Brock University to the local shops and main streets that are revitalizing communities. Our government will continue making smart investments that put people first and grow local economies that work for everyone.”
- The Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Agency for Southern Ontario
Quick facts
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Launching the new Canada Growth Fund will help bring Canada billions of dollars in new private investment required to reduce our emissions, grow our economy and create good jobs.
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Introducing major investment tax credits for clean technologies and clean hydrogen will help create jobs and make Canada a leader in the net-zero transition.
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Creating the Sustainable Jobs Training Centre and investing in the sustainable jobs stream of the Union Training and Innovation Program will equip workers with the skills needed for the jobs of today and the future.
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Since 2015, the Government of Canada, through FedDev Ontario, has invested nearly $100 million in over 130 projects in the Niagara region, creating over 1,200 jobs and maintaining over 3,500 jobs.
Associated links
Contacts
Edward Hutchinson
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
Edward.Hutchinson@feddevontario.gc.ca
Media Relations
FedDev Ontario
feddevontariomediarelations-relationsmedias@feddevontario.gc.ca
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Website: www.FedDevOntario.gc.ca
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