Nearly $330,000 to support new Francophone community hub

“Official Language Minority Communities (OLMCs) play an important role in the economic development of southern Ontario and across the country. The Government of Canada’s Economic Development Initiative is pleased to support organizations like l’Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario, which help Francophone entrepreneurs, businesses and organizations access the tools they need to reach their potential and support the vitality of OLMCs across the region.”
– The Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario)

“The investment of nearly $330,000 announced today for l’Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario will support collaboration with not-for-profit Francophone organizations with the aim of developing three regional strategic plans to foster better coordination of services and foster economic competitiveness of Francophone communities in Ontario. Francophone communities are vital to the reputation of Canada. Our support for this project today is another way our government is recognizing the value and contributions of Francophone communities in Canada.”
– The Honourable Mona Fortier, Member of Parliament for Ottawa–Vanier

"This announcement comes at the right time, as the Franco-Ontarian community meets this weekend under the theme of sustainability. This pilot project will enable three regions to develop a regional strategic plan that is linked to the Community Strategic Plan. The time is right to see how our organizations serving the Franco-Ontarian community can structure themselves in order to continue serving the community for years to come.”
– Fabien Hébert, President, Assemblée de la francophonie de l'Ontario (AFO)  

• 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.

• FedDev Ontario delivers $800,000 annually, through the national Economic Development Initiative (EDI), to support projects that encourage economic diversification, business development, innovation, partnerships and increased support for small- and medium-sized enterprises in Francophone communities. Applications are now being accepted. 

• The Government of Canada, through FedDev Ontario, has invested more than $4.3 million through the program to more than 100 Francophone-led businesses and organizations across southern Ontario.

• Since 2015, the Government of Canada, through FedDev Ontario, has invested over $160 million in more than 220 OLMC-led businesses and organizations, creating over 1,700 jobs and maintaining over 4,800 jobs.

• Applications for regional funding are now being accepted until November 7. Applicants to the EDI and Indigenous applicants can apply at any time.

Associated links

• FedDev Ontario
• Economic Development Initiative (EDI)
• L’Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario

Edward Hutchinson
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
Edward.hutchinson@feddevontario.gc.ca

FedDev Ontario
Media Relations
feddevontariomediarelations-relationsmedias@feddevontario.gc.ca

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