Government of Canada unveils economic growth strategy for Northern Ontario
News release
Innovation-targeted strategy will build on the region’s unique strengths and competitive advantages to create middle-class jobs and business opportunities
April 9, 2018 – Thunder Bay, Ontario – Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario - FedNor
Canadians living and working in Northern Ontario will benefit from a new targeted approach to economic development with a focus on innovation, thanks to the Government of Canada’s Prosperity and Growth Strategy for Northern Ontario (PGSNO). The strategic plan was developed following wide consultations with 1000 people including Indigenous, municipal and provincial leaders, as well as innovation and business stakeholders from across the region.
The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for FedNor, and the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, were in Thunder Bay today to unveil the PGSNO, an economic development plan that will help guide future Government of Canada activities and investments in Northern Ontario. Among other priorities, the regional strategy will invest in the talent and people of Northern Ontario, ensuring communities have the necessary skills for the middle-class jobs of tomorrow.
The PGSNO is focused on three key areas: supporting innovation; growing companies; and building stronger communities:
- Supporting innovation - by expanding and strengthening the regional innovation ecosystem and providing support for incubators, accelerators and clusters;
- Growing companies - by enhancing supports for business start-ups and scale-ups, promoting the adoption of advanced technologies, and increasing the capacity of companies to export; and
- Building stronger communities - by helping municipalities and Indigenous communities better respond to economic development opportunities and challenges.
The development of the PGSNO followed an announcement by Minister Bains in April 2017 which outlined how each of Canada’s six Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) would prepare an economic growth strategy aimed at seizing business and job growth opportunities created by the innovation economy.
Quotes
“The Prosperity and Growth Strategy for Northern Ontario is the Government of Canada’s forward-thinking approach to help the region innovate, capitalize on business opportunities and create well-paying, middle-class jobs. This nationally coordinated, regionally tailored strategy will help ensure that Northern Ontario can fully benefit from our national Innovation and Skills plan in a way that makes sense to local communities, businesses, and Canadians living and working in the region.”
- The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for FedNor
“Northern Ontario has a wealth of innovative thinkers, a diversifying economy and tremendous potential. The Prosperity and Growth Strategy for Northern Ontario will position the region for success and will help create more business opportunities, strengthen the middle class and grow our economy.”
- The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, and Member of Parliament for Thunder Bay—Superior North
“Under the Prosperity and Growth Strategy for Northern Ontario, we will help the region’s creators and trailblazers position Northern Ontario communities and businesses for long-term economic growth and sustainability. Harnessing the power of Northern Ontario’s bright minds is key to enabling us to compete globally, developing new products and creating jobs for middle-class Canadians.”
- Don Rusnak, Member of Parliament for Thunder Bay—Rainy River
“Ontario welcomes Canada's commitment to helping foster economic growth and opportunity in Northern Ontario. We are particularly pleased that Canada is recognizing the multi-generational mineral development potential contained within the Ring of Fire. Our government is working hard with local indigenous communities to lay the groundwork necessary to construct all season road access to local remote communities and the mine site. Ontario looks forward to continuing our dialogue with Canada as to how we can advance this project forward together for the benefit of the local communities, Ontario and Canada as a whole.”
- Michael Gravelle, Ontario's Minister of Northern Development and Mines.
“The mandate of the Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre and that of its counterparts across the region is to help small businesses access markets, scale up and compete in the global marketplace. This dovetails perfectly with the Prosperity and Growth Strategy for Northern Ontario. There is no greater satisfaction than working with our community partners and FedNor to move the economy forward and create jobs and wealth across the region.”
- Judy Sander, Manager, Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre
“It’s important that all stakeholders – governments, communities, entrepreneurs and investors – are all working toward the same goal for the betterment of Northern Ontario businesses and communities. Having a cohesive and coordinated economic development strategy will help nurture innovative ideas, create jobs and attract highly skilled persons to this great region we call home.”
- Mary Long-Irwin, Executive Director, Northern Ontario Angels
Quick facts
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Budget 2018 provided an additional $511 million over five years to the regional development agencies to support the national Innovation and Skills Plan.
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As part of this total, FedNor is being allocated $28 million over five years. This is in addition to the $25 million over five years it received in Budget 2017.
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As part of its engagement activities to develop the PGSNO, FedNor heard from approximately 1000 stakeholders from communities across the region, including participants from government, industry, communities and First Nations, post-secondary institutions, innovation centres, and others.
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Contacts
Karl W. Sasseville
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development
343-291-2500
Media Relations
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
343-291-1777
ic.mediarelations-mediasrelations.ic@canada.ca
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