Government of Canada investing close to $1 million to support women entrepreneurs across Northern Ontario
News release
Federal funding will help more women-led businesses start up, scale-up and access support services
August 1, 2024 – Gore Bay, ON – Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario – FedNor
Today, Marc G. Serré, Member of Parliament for Nickel Belt and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and to the Minister of Official Languages, announced a Government of Canada investment of $999,620 so that the LaCloche Manitoulin Business Assistance Corporation (LAMBAC) can continue to deliver the Northern Ontario Women program across Northern Ontario. The announcement was made on behalf of the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for FedNor.
The NOW program provides a maximum of $5,000 to women-owned and women-led small businesses to help cover the cost of professional and training services so they can start-up or take their businesses to the next level. The goal of this pan-Northern project is to address challenges facing women entrepreneurs, particularly filling a gap in rural areas where services and training are not offered or affordable on an individual basis. Led by LAMBAC, NOW is supported by all 24 of Northern Ontario’s Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs), who help promote the program and deliver local training events in their service areas. This priority project is expected to support over 110 business and help create 145 full-time jobs.
Since 2019, NOW has supported close to 400 women-owned and led businesses, which led to the expansion and modernization of more than 260 and helped create over 300 full-time jobs in Northern Ontario.
Quotes
“This is an investment in the supports and training women entrepreneurs need to succeed. It’s helping women-owned, women-led businesses grow, create jobs, and build an economy in Northern Ontario that is fair to everyone.”
- The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for FedNor
“From tackling pay equity to modernizing parental leave, the federal government is taking action on gender equality. When women succeed, we all succeed. Today’s announcement is fantastic news for our regional economy and an inspiring message to all women in Northern Ontario considering entrepreneurship as a career.”
- Marc Serré, Member of Parliament for Nickel Belt and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and to the Minister of Official Languages
“This strong show of support from FedNor will help level the economic playing field for women entrepreneurs across Northern Ontario. The continuation of NOW will translate into support for more than 110 women-led business and the creation close to 145 full-time jobs throughout the region. We are proud to spearhead this priority project that empowers women to pursue their entrepreneurial aspirations, while supporting jobs, growth and a strong economy.”
- Carolyn Campbell, Executive Director, LAMBAC
Quick facts
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LAMBAC is one of 24 CFDCs funded by FedNor to support small and medium-sized business and community economic development. LAMBAC supports businesses through small business loans and resources. The organization administers local investment funds to help finance new or existing business and social enterprises for start-up, expansion or stabilization that will maintain or create jobs.
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The funds announced today are provided through FedNor’s Northern Ontario Development Program (NODP), through which FedNor invests in projects led by municipalities, First Nations, and other organizations and institutions that support community economic development, diversification, job creation and self-reliant communities in Northern Ontario.
- Since 2015, FedNor has provided more than $314 million in NODP funding to support 894 projects across Northern Ontario.
Associated links
Contacts
Jennifer Kozelj
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for FedNor
jennifer.kozelj@sac-isc.gc.ca
Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario
Media Relations
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