Government of Canada investments create jobs for local youth while supporting innovation and economic growth in Sault Ste. Marie

From: Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario - FedNor

News release

FedNor funding for Algoma University and NORDIK Institute supports jobs, growth and a strong economy

June 16, 2021 – Sault Ste. Marie, ON – Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario – FedNor

Providing opportunities for young graduates and connecting organizations and businesses with a skilled and enthusiastic workforce is precisely what a Government of Canada internship initiative is doing in Northern Ontario. Since its inception more than three decades ago, FedNor’s youth internship initiative has helped create approximately 1800 jobs for youth in Northern Ontario.

Terry Sheehan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for FedNor, today announced a Government of Canada investment of $63,000 to create jobs, growth and strengthen Sault Ste Marie’s economy. The announcement was made on behalf of the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for FedNor.

Provided through FedNor’s Northern Ontario Development Program, this funding will support two separate youth intern initiatives designed to create employment and entrepreneurship opportunities, while supporting sustainable economic growth. Both funding recipients will receive $31,500 in funding to hire a youth intern for a one-year period to carry out key activities.

As part of the announcement, Algoma University will use the FedNor funding to hire an intern to assist with the development and implementation of CityStudio Sault Ste. Marie (SSM). This includes developing an operational and stakeholder development plan, as well as project sustainability and marketing strategies. The intern will also help create hands-on work opportunities for students such as experiments and applied studies on varying subjects including equity and inclusion, green buildings, public policy, and transportation. A partnership project with the City of Sault Ste. Marie, CityStudio SSM is expected to create jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities, while supporting recovery efforts.

The second funding recipient is the Northern Ontario Research Development Ideas and Knowledge (NORDIK) Institute, whose digital media intern will help create a podcast series exploring economic, environmental, social and cultural challenges in the region. The podcasts will share the stories of the entrepreneurs, scholars, and advocates who are rising to meet current-day challenges in the wake of COVID-19. Key activities the intern will undertake include developing content, coordinating interviews, digital editing, uploading podcasts for distribution and pursuing marketing opportunities.

Since the start of the pandemic, the Government of Canada has provided over $7.4 billion specifically to support young Canadians through these difficult times. Budget 2021 goes one step further by building on Canada's investments in youth with over $5.7 billion over the next five years to help young Canadians pursue and complete their education, and to create 215,000 new skills development and work opportunities.

Quotes

“Providing talented young graduates with the work experience they need to pursue their career aspirations is one of the many ways the Government of Canada is helping to develop our workforce of the future. Through our regional development agencies, such as FedNor in Northern Ontario, we are helping our business and community partners adapt to the quickly evolving social and economic realities, and supporting efforts to strengthen Northern Ontario’s economy and create good jobs for Northern Ontarians.”
- The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for FedNor

“Today’s announcement will help stem the flow of youth out-migration by creating meaningful employment for recent graduates so they can build their careers and futures here at home in Sault Ste. Marie. Led by the NORDIK Institute and Algoma University, these priority projects will help create jobs, strengthen the economy and pave the way for sustainable growth throughout the area.”
- Terry Sheehan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for FedNor

“We are pleased to receive FedNor funding and have the opportunity to hire a youth intern to help implement CityStudio Sault Ste. Marie. This cutting-edge program will help create hands-on work opportunities for students, who will benefit from collaborating on real-world issues with city staff and businesses in the community.”
- István Imre, Ph.D., Acting Academic Dean, Algoma University

“We are excited to welcome a digital media intern to the team to support the development of a new podcast series focused on the economic, environmental, social and cultural challenges facing our region. This project will give us a better understanding of our current realities so we can learn from our experiences to help overcome barriers and support future growth.”  
- Sean Meades, Lecturer, Community Economic and Social Development, Director, NORDIK Institute

Quick facts

  • The funding announced today is provided through FedNor’s Northern Ontario Development Program, which supports projects that promote sustainable community economic development, enhance business development and growth, and facilitate innovation.

  • Since its inception more than three decades ago, FedNor’s youth internship initiative has helped create approximately 1800 jobs for youth across Northern Ontario.

Associated links

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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