Government of Canada invests to foster innovation and business growth in Nipissing—Timiskaming and across Northern Ontario
News release
FedNor funding helps create up to 12 jobs through increased productivity and manufacturing process optimization and the development of innovative products across the region
April 6, 2021 – North Bay, ON – Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario – FedNor
Innovation and digital technology adoption are key to the vitality of the Canadian economy, supporting business growth, as well as the entrepreneurial environment necessary to foster more innovative regional economies and increase the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises. Preparing Canadians for the jobs of today and tomorrow will provide Canadian companies with the highly skilled workers they need to innovate and modernize their processes to stay on the cutting edge.
Terry Sheehan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for FedNor, today announced Government of Canada investments totalling more than $1 million to support jobs, growth and a strong economy in the Nipissing—Timiskaming region.
Provided through FedNor, the Regional Economic Growth through Innovation funding will support three strategic initiatives that will help businesses optimize their technology and processes, ultimately improving their bottom line. It will also help local businesses and organizations deal with the impacts of COVID-19 and assist them in preparing for the realities of a post-pandemic economy. FPInnovations, a private not-for-profit organization specializing in solutions for the Canadian forest sector, is one of the organizations benefiting from today’s announcement. The organization will use the FedNor investment to help boost the technical and human resources capacity of local forest-sector businesses. Also receiving FedNor funding today are Emile Janveaux Forest Products Ltd. and Canadore College.
Northern Ontario has been hard hit by COVID-19 and today’s announcement is further proof of the Government of Canada’s commitment to families, communities and businesses, helping them to not just survive, but also thrive. It will help get Canadians back to work and ensure that the Nipissing—Timiskaming region is well positioned to fully participate in Canada’s economic recovery.
Quotes
“Canada’s economic recovery depends on the health of small and medium-sized businesses in Northern Ontario and across the country. In these uncertain times, we want Canadian businesses to know that we have their back. We will help our business and community partners to innovate, modernize their operations and adapt to the quickly evolving social and economic realities so they may come back stronger than ever.”
- The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for FedNor
“Today’s announcement is designed to spur innovation to help businesses maximize opportunities for improving productivity, accelerate business growth and strengthen Northern Ontario’s economy. By helping businesses and communities to overcome the challenges posed by the pandemic, our government is setting the stage for a strong and effective economic recovery.”
- Terry Sheehan, Member of Parliament for Sault Ste. Marie and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for FedNor
“Small and medium-sized businesses are the cornerstone of the Canadian economy and Nipissing—Timiskaming is no exception. The investments announced today are paving the way for local businesses to scale up, become more competitive and thrive in the global economy while creating quality jobs for residents throughout the region.”
- The Honourable Anthony Rota, Member of Parliament, Nipissing-Timiskaming
“We look forward to working with the Northern Ontario forest and wood products sector to help them mitigate challenges related to COVID-19. This initiative will directly support those businesses and workers impacted by the pandemic, allowing them to improve productivity and their bottom line, and to learn about and implement the very best practices and efficiencies for day-to-day operations and associated jobs across the value chain.”
- Stéphane Renou, President and Chief Executive Officer, FPInnovations
Quick facts
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The funding announced today is provided through FedNor’s Regional Economic Growth through Innovation program that supports the growth of Canadian businesses, their expansion into new markets and their adoption of new technologies and processes.
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Since November 2015, FedNor has invested $55.6 million in support of 156 projects in the Nipissing—Timiskaming region.
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Contacts
Catherine Mounier-Desrochers
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages
catherine.mounier-desrochers@canada.ca
Barclay Babcock
Communications Officer
FedNor
705-690-0957
barclay.babcock@canada.ca
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