Government of Canada to support expanded services at leading Francophone academic institution
News release
FedDev Ontario invests over $3 million in Collège La Cité to expand its services to communities across southern Ontario and to provide targeted business and training support to over 80 entrepreneurs
March 22, 2024 - Ottawa, Ontario
Strong, vibrant Francophone communities are key to unlocking the potential of the Canadian economy. By working with Francophone academia, businesses, organizations and leading institutions, the Government of Canada is helping them reach their potential and create new possibilities for all Canadians. This includes organizations led by women, Indigenous communities, members of 2SLGBTQI+ communities, newcomers to Canada and racialized people.
Today, on behalf of the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), the Honourable Mona Fortier, Member of Parliament for Ottawa–Vanier, announced an investment of over $3 million for Collège La Cité (La Cité) to expand its service to communities across southern Ontario and to provide targeted business and training support to over 80 entrepreneurs. In keeping with the spirit of la Journée internationale de la Francophonie, celebrated on March 20, this announcement highlights Francophones' significant contributions to our country and its heritage.
La Cité is Ontario’s largest French-language post-secondary institution. As part of this investment, the college will support regional entrepreneurs with access to state-of-the-art laboratories, researchers, and business coaching to help them advance technologies in areas, such as bio-innovation, artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, food processing and clean technology.
In addition, La Cité will provide specialized coaching and training to small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) throughout southern Ontario, including in Official Language Minority Communities (OLMCs), focusing on businesses led by women and newcomers. This support aims to increase their productivity and competitiveness by adopting sustainable business practices, enabling them to thrive in a green economy.
This investment is expected to support over 80 entrepreneurs and commercialize over 10 new products. By providing the necessary support and training, this project will boost the competitiveness of southern Ontario’s businesses and support the adoption of leading-edge technologies. The Government of Canada is committed to supporting entrepreneurs, businesses and organizations in OLMCs to increase their productivity, their competitiveness and their ability to access the talent and resources they need to succeed in a green and inclusive economy.
Quotes
“Collège La Cité and its network of partners are creating a strong, inclusive economy by providing opportunities for SMEs in southern Ontario. The Government of Canada is pleased to support leading-edge Francophone educational institutions, like Collège La Cité, as they work to strengthen productivity and competitiveness for underrepresented entrepreneurs.”
- The Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
“Today’s announcement for Collège La Cité, a renowned Canadian Francophone education institution, will help this world-class organization to reach entrepreneurs in more communities to support their growth, increase technological innovation and create skilled jobs to benefit Canadians across southern Ontario.”
- The Honourable Mona Fortier, Member of Parliament for Ottawa–Vanier
"This funding will enable the Collège to enhance further and multiply opportunities for innovation and applied research projects over the coming years. La Cité is proud to play an important role in the socio-economic development and the vitality of Francophone communities, whether in our beautiful region, in Southern Ontario or elsewhere in the province and the country."
- Lise Bourgeois, President and Chief Executive Officer, Collège La Cité
Quick facts
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Founded in 1991, Collège La Cité is the largest French-language college of applied arts and technology in Canada outside of Quebec, offering over 180 post-secondary programs to more than 5,000 French-speaking students across its main campus in Ottawa, satellite campuses in Hawkesbury and Orleans, and a business office in Toronto.
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March 20 was la Journée internationale de la Francophonie, a day to celebrate the French language, which has been a fundamental part of our history and identity, as well as of the cultural heritage of our country since its inception.
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Today's investment builds on previous FedDev Ontario investments in Collège La Cité, including more than $1.7 million invested previously to support applied research collaborations.
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Since November 2015, FedDev Ontario has invested over $125 million in more than 200 Francophone-led businesses and organizations, creating and maintaining over 6,400 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
FedDev Ontario Media Relations
feddevontariomediarelations-relationsmedias@feddevontario.gc.ca
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