FedNor investments support young entrepreneurs and youth initiatives across Northern Ontario

Increased opportunities for young people who are interested in developing entrepreneurial skills or gaining on-the-job work experience is critical to building a strong, diverse, inclusive and innovative economy in Northern Ontario. COVID-19 and related public health and travel restrictions are severely impacting private businesses and the organizations that support them. The Government of Canada continues to work with small business owners, communities and business organizations to help throughout the pandemic as they adapt their strategies and activities to address the COVID-19 realities.

The Government of Canada, through the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario (FedNor), is allocating more than $3.9 million in non-repayable contributions to support Northern Ontario organizations that support young entrepreneurs. This will help ensure that Northern Ontario youth have the tools and resources needed to play an active role in the recovery, rebuilding and re-energizing of the region’s economy.

Recent youth-focused initiatives supported by FedNor

Algoma–Manitoulin–Kapuskasing

Nord-Aski Regional Economic Development Corporation (Nord-Aski)
$2,020,000

This FedNor investment will enable Nord-Aski, in partnership with 14 Community Futures Development Corporations in the region, to enable private sector youth internships in key sectors of the economy including the digital economy, innovation and trade. This three-year initiative will provide participating Northeastern Ontario businesses with up to $31,500 to hire a youth intern for a one-year period, allowing young Canadians to gain valuable on-the-job training in skilled positions. Since its inception in 2014, this youth initiative has helped create more than 110 youth internship positions with 70 percent of participants securing full-time employment with their host employer.

Town of Smooth Rock Falls
$31,500

Hire a youth intern to support industrial and waterfront development to attract new businesses and private-sector investment to the community.

Kenora

Pikangikum First Nation
$272,000

Support and expand the Pikangikum Youth Sawmill Program, which provides essential work experience for youth while increasing the local sawmill’s productivity.        

Nickel Belt

Wahnapitae First Nation
$31,500

Hire a youth intern to support the implementation of several priority projects for the community.  

Nipissing–Timiskaming

Canadian Institute of Forestry
$31,500

Hire a youth intern as a Forest Science Outreach Coordinator to assist in the delivery of forest science and knowledge exchange programs.

Corporation of the City of North Bay
$31,500

To help identify opportunities and solutions to overcome barriers faced by local businesses, the City of North Bay will hire a youth intern to support the implementation of a business retention and expansion program.

Foraco Canada Ltd.
$31,500

Hire youth intern as a clean-tech drilling assistant to provide on-site support for operational activities.

Living Temagami Arts & Culture Corporation
$31,500

Hire a youth intern to enhance and promote the art, cultural and tourism sectors within the Temagami region while supporting businesses, artists, and tourism facilities.     

Nipissing First Nation
$63,000

To support business development and increase tourism, FedNor funding will be used to hire a youth intern for a two-year period to plan and coordinate events promoting Indigenous culture.

Temagami First Nation
$63,000

Hire a community capacity youth intern to undertake a variety of economic development and human resources activities over a two-year period.

Temiskaming Foundation
$31,500

To support the implementation of the Vital Conversations/Vital Signs initiative, the Temiskaming Foundation will hire a youth intern for a one-year period.

Three H Furniture Systems Limited
$15,750

Hire a customer service specialist youth intern to assist with design and quote preparation for clients.                  

West Nipissing Chamber of Commerce
$31,500

Hire a youth intern to develop a Business Visitation program that will identify the needs of local businesses and develop strategies to support growth and sustainability efforts.

Sudbury

Art Gallery of Sudbury / Galerie d'art de Sudbury
$47,250

Hire a youth intern to help establish new exhibit production partnerships, support exhibit readiness initiatives and circulate exhibitions to new locations.

Barterpay Northern Ontario
$24,000

To support the expansion of Barterpay’s North Bay operations, FedNor funding will enable the organization to hire a youth intern for a one-year period.        

Cinefest, The Sudbury Film Festival Inc.
$31,500

Hire a youth intern as a Marketing Development Officer to analyze new and existing consumer data to identify audience and economic trends related to festival activities.

Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce
$31,500

Hire a youth intern to assist with the planning and implementation of the second annual Procurement, Employment and Partnerships Conference.

Independent Living Resource Centre
$31,500

FedNor funding will enable Independent Living Resource Centre to hire a marketing youth intern to help the organization expand its reach and achieve financial sustainability.

Komri Engineering
$30,000

Hire a youth intern to help implement a new software system designed to increase productivity and automate common designs.

Le Théâtre du Nouvel-Ontario
$31,500

Hire a youth intern to support the technical direction of professional and community shows, as well as to provide technical support for the 2019-20 season’s productions.

MIRARCO
$31,500

FedNor funding will enable MIRARCO to hire a youth intern as industry liaison officer to support its efforts to find innovative solutions for mining industry challenges.

reThink Green
$42,000

Hire a youth intern to provide technical support to help reThink Green implement its Green Economy North Program.

Thunder Bay–Rainy River

Group of Seven Lake Superior Trail Association
$31,500

Hire a youth intern as a business development coordinator to help increase tourism for the Group of Seven trail system.          

Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre Inc.
$366,300

Support for the Youth Effect project, a three-year initiative designed to provide entrepreneurial youth with a 15-week experiential learning and training placement with an innovative business. Participating youth and firms are strategically matched based on skill, interest, and need.

Thunder Bay–Superior North

Lakehead University
$465,375

FedNor funding will enable Lakehead University to establish a student entrepreneurship hub and related programs. This three-year initiative will support student-based start-ups through business mentorship, entrepreneurship training, and partnerships.

Northern Policy Institute
$31,500

FedNor funding will enable the Northern Policy Institute to hire a youth intern to track immigration assets and growth across Northern Ontario.          

Timmins–James Bay

Cochrane District Social Planning Council
$31,500

Hire a youth intern to research and develop a social enterprise model to support youth initiatives in the Town of Cochrane.

Société de développement communautaire Kirkland & District CDC
$31,500

Hire a business and community development youth intern to help create social and economic opportunities in Kirkland Lake and surrounding areas.

Related Products

• News Release: FedNor invests in young entrepreneurs across Northern Ontario.