The Government of Canada is investing $500,000 to help Francophone entrepreneurs in Northern Ontario expand their businesses and create youth employment.

"The Government of Canada recognizes the important role Francophone entrepreneurs play in growing the Canadian economy. By investing in projects, such as Entrepreneur Francophone Plus, FedNor is helping Northern Ontario businesses create jobs and assists communities in capitalizing on economic opportunities made possible through linguistic duality."

The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, and Minister responsible for FedNor

"Northern Ontario has an abundance of resourceful entrepreneurs that are establishing businesses, creating jobs and strengthening our region’s economy. This announcement is a great example of how our government, through FedNor, is helping to usher in a new generation of Francophone business and community leaders eager to create opportunities for the middle class and those working hard to join it."

Paul Lefebvre, Member of Parliament for Sudbury   

"Today’s announcement demonstrates confidence in our organization and the work we do to make Kapuskasing and all of Northern Ontario a better place to live, work, play and visit. This strategic investment will provide Francophone entrepreneurs in all corners of the region with access to the services and resources they need to grow their businesses and succeed in the global marketplace."

Gilbert Peters, President, North Claybelt CFDC

• Since its inception in 2010, the Entrepreneur Francophone Plus initiative has helped create nearly 50 youth employment opportunities and supported more than 125 businesses in their efforts to expand. The program boasts an impressive 80-percent employment retention rate.

• Based in Kapuskasing, the North Claybelt Community Futures Development Corporation (CFDC) is one of 24 Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs) funded by FedNor to serve Northern Ontario businesses and communities. CFDCs are community-based, not-for-profit organizations run by volunteer boards and staffed by experienced business and economic development professionals.

• FedNor’s EDI is part of the Government of Canada’s Roadmap for Canada’s Official Languages, which fosters the development of new expertise in innovation, economic diversification and business growth in Northern Ontario’s Francophone communities.

Associated Links

• To find out more about our programs and services, please visit: fednor.gc.ca.
• Follow us on Twitter @FedNor.
• Follow the Minister on Twitter: @MinisterISED.

Barclay Babcock
Communications Officer
FedNor
705-690-0957
barclay.babcock@canada.ca