Northern Ontario cities team up to help businesses maximize exporting opportunities

News release

Business support program to help boost the value of exports and improve the capacity of Northern Ontario firms with support of $1.6 million from the Government of Canada

March 6, 2020 – Sudbury, ON – Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario – FedNor

Ontario's North Economic Development Corporation (ONEDC) is a not-for-profit organization established in 2005 and focused on collaborative activities between the cities of North Bay, Timmins, Sudbury, Thunder Bay and Sault Ste. Marie, as well as other regional development organizations in Northern Ontario. The member municipalities choose one municipality to manage a project on their behalf and provide other resources to implement the project.

A successful history of collaboration

Since 2012, the Northern Ontario Exports Program (NOEP), a collaborative initiative between the ONEDC and the City of Greater Sudbury, has helped businesses from across the region become more competitive, grow and reach new markets. During the last 3-year phase of the project, NOEP has helped to create or maintain more than 435 jobs, and assisted more than 75 companies located across the North to modernize or expand. An independent survey conducted among previous participants estimated that the program’s marketing initiatives resulted in short-term sales of up to $26 million.

Growing Northern Ontario’s exporters

During a visit to local mining manufacturer Rock-Tech, Paul Lefebvre, Member of Parliament for Sudbury, announced FedNor funding of $1.6 million to enable ONEDC to offer the successful NOEP for an additional three years. This announcement was made on behalf of the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages.

With an earlier focus on mining related industries and a growing participation from other sectors, NOEP will provide businesses in the region with support for training, marketing and advertising activities, enabling them to be more competitive and access new markets. The funding will also assist ONEDC to establish a Northern Ontario pavilion at the 2020 MINEXPO in Las Vegas, the largest mining equipment conference in the world.

Quotes

“Canada’s resource, manufacturing and service sectors are vital to the economy of countless Canadian communities and that is why we are investing to support initiatives, such as the Northern Ontario Exports Program, that help businesses access the tools and resources they need to succeed in the global economy.”

- The Honourable Mélanie Joly, MP for Ahuntsic-Cartierville, and Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for FedNor

“I’m pleased that the Government of Canada is supporting this important business development initiative born out of the joint efforts of Northern Ontario’s largest communities. Enabling local companies to develop, grow and increase their exports sets the stage for job creation and long-term economic success.”

- Paul Lefebvre, Member of Parliament for Sudbury 

“Accelerating the growth of firms and their entry into new markets is a key priority for our government. This investment will enable resource, manufacturing and service-related companies in Nickel Belt, Greater Sudbury and across the North to become more competitive in domestic and global markets.”

- Marc G. Serré, Member of Parliament for Nickel Belt

“We are grateful for this investment from the Government of Canada through FedNor in support of the Northern Ontario Exports Program. The success and ongoing popularity of the program highlights the effectiveness and relevance of collaborative initiatives developed and delivered by ONEDC and its member communities.”

- Brian Bigger, Mayor of Sudbury

Quick facts

  • The investments announced today were provided through FedNor’s Regional Economic Growth through Innovation (REGI) program, which supports the growth of Canadian businesses, their expansion into new markets and their adoption of new technologies and processes.

  • On behalf of ONEDC, the City of Greater Sudbury has successfully delivered three phases of the Northern Ontario Exports Program (NOEP).

  • An Advisory Committee with membership selected by ONEDC provides direction to the City of Greater Sudbury on the delivery of the NOEP.

Associated links

Contacts

Alexander Cohen
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages alexander.cohen2@canada.ca

Brian Williamson
Communications Director
FedNor
705-671-0696
brian.williamson@canada.ca

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