Government of Canada Supports Hearst-area Businesses to create jobs
News Release
FedNor invests more than $72,000 to provide business mentorship to francophone entrepreneurs
July 18, 2017 – Hearst – Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario - FedNor
Francophone entrepreneurs will benefit from business mentorship and coaching as a result of a Government of Canada investment of $72,648 in the Hearst and Area Economic Development Corporation.
The funding was announced by David Lametti, Parliamentary Secretary to the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, and Minister responsible for FedNor, the Government of Canada’s economic development organization for Northern Ontario.
Mr. Lametti made the announcement at the start of a two-day tour of Hearst, Kapuskasing and Timmins. During his tour, Mr. Lametti will meet with community and business leaders to discuss how to seize new and emerging opportunities to strengthen Northern Ontario’s economy, support high-growth businesses and create well-paying, middle-class jobs for Northern Ontarians.
The discussions will inform the development of the Government’s Prosperity and Growth Strategy for Northern Ontario, a targeted approach to economic development through innovation. This strategy, which will guide federal investments and activities in the region in the coming years, will focus on ways to build on the unique strengths and competitive advantages that Northern Ontario has in mining, resources and agriculture, among other sectors.
This regional strategy for Northern Ontario is part of the Government of Canada’s Innovation and Skills Plan, an ambitious effort to make Canada a world-leading centre for innovation that will create more well-paying jobs and grow the middle class.
Quotes
"Where innovation happens is where many of the middle-class jobs of today and tomorrow are created. That’s why our government is making the smart and responsible investments to encourage more innovation by Canadians, especially the hard-working entrepreneurs and small-business owners who form the backbone of our country’s economy. They create the well-paying jobs that often equip Canadians with the in-demand skills they need for future jobs. That’s how innovation leads to a better Canada."
The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, and Minister responsible for FedNor
"This investment reflects our government’s commitment to the values of innovation through diversity and inclusion. It recognizes the important contributions of francophone communities in driving Northern Ontario’s economy. The goal is to provide francophone entrepreneurs with the knowledge, skills and guidance they need to turn their homegrown companies into globally competitive successes."
David Lametti, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development
"We’re grateful for today's funding announcement by the Government of Canada. This FedNor investment will enable us to work with our local small businesses and provide them with the personalized training and mentorship they need to better understand and serve their clientele with the goal of increasing their reach and strengthen their market position."
Roger Sigouin, Mayor of the Town of Hearst
Quick Facts
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The funding is provided through FedNor’s Economic Development Initiative (EDI), which supports innovation, economic diversification and business growth among francophone communities in Northern Ontario.
Associated Links
Contacts
Barclay Babcock
Communications Officer
FedNor
705-690-0957
barclay.babcock@canada.ca