Government of Canada investments to support economic development, growth and recovery efforts of Francophone communities in Northern Ontario

As our economy recovers from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of Canada is redoubling its efforts to help Northern Ontario communities and businesses get started and grow, while supporting jobs, growth and recovery efforts throughout the region.

Paul Lefebvre, Member of Parliament for Sudbury, and Marc G. Serré, Member of Parliament for Nickel Belt, today announced an investment of more than $2.4 million to support four strategic initiatives led by Francophone organizations in Northern Ontario. The funded projects are expected to support up to 52 businesses, create or maintain up to 149 jobs, and maximize opportunities for development and growth throughout the region.

Francophone initiatives supported in Northeastern Ontario

Place des Arts du Grand Sudbury
$1.1 million

Place des Arts, the first professional multidisciplinary arts center in Greater Sudbury, will receive an investment of more than $1.1 million to cover additional construction costs caused by delays as a result of the pandemic. This funding is provided through FedNor's Northern Ontario Development Program ($564,748) and Canadian Heritage's Canada Cultural Spaces Fund ($546,748). This is in addition to the $12.5 million announced by Canadian Heritage and FedNor in 2017 for the construction of the new facility.

Le Conseil de la Coopération (CCO)
$861,269

An investment of $861,269 provided through FedNor's Economic Development Initiative will enable the Conseil de la Coopération to support the development and growth of social enterprises and cooperatives in Francophone communities in Northwestern Ontario. Specifically, the funding will enable the CCO to establish an office in Thunder Bay to better serve Francophone communities and meet the need identified by the region during a strategic planning exercise. The Thunder Bay location will be supported, in part, by the Coopérative du regroupement des organismes francophones de Thunder Bay Inc. In Northern Ontario, the CCO has regional offices in Greater Sudbury and the Temiskaming Shores area. This project is expected to assist over 52 small social enterprises and co-operatives, and help maintain or create 105 jobs.

Voilà Community Help (Voilà)
$401,600

Provided through the Economic Development Initiative, FedNor is investing $401,600 to enable Voilà, an educational technology organization, to develop a virtual learning platform by creating a support system for the entrepreneurial community and partners operating in the field of employability and entrepreneurship. This new virtual simulation platform will have the capacity to offer training and workshops in a virtual and immersive environment, and will provide networking spaces and formative work situations. It is based on an artificial intelligence system capable of personalising the experience for each user. The platform will be available to partners involved in entrepreneurship and employability in Northern Ontario. The project also includes the establishment of an office in Northern Ontario where Voilà plans to hire 20 young graduates for its technology department and recruit another 20 employees from the region for its bilingual service department. The company hopes to make its Sudbury branch a bridge between the United States, Europe and Africa.

Le Conseil scolaire public du Grand Nord de l’Ontario (CSPGNO)
$105,395

An investment of $105,395 under FedNor's Economic Development Initiative will enable the Conseil scolaire public du Grand Nord de l'Ontario to develop space for the creation of the French River Youth, Economic and Community Development Centre. In partnership with the Société économique de l’Ontario, the centre will be a place to support business growth and start-up, economic development, and professional and community gathering. Specifically, businesses and self-employed individuals will have a dedicated space to exchange ideas, best practices and share resources. In addition, they will have access to employability services, continuing education, customized training, business services, a videoconference and training meeting room, equipment and fibre optic internet access. This initiative will help stem youth out-migration, and contribute to the maintenance of three jobs related to economic development, employability and business services, and the creation of a new position of youth entrepreneurship program coordinator. 

Related Products

• News release: Government of Canada supports Francophone organizations, entrepreneurs and communities to stimulate economic growth and recovery in Northern Ontario

Associated Links

• To find out more about FedNor’s programs and services, please visit: fednor.gc.ca
• Follow us on Twitter @FedNor
• Follow Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada on Twitter: @ISED_CA
• Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan
• Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)