March 20, 2015
FedDev Ontario is investing a total of up to $1,924,844 in two Francophone organizations through the Economic Development Initiative.
Contribution: up to $999,840
L'AFO will develop and administer a youth internship program across southern Ontario. The program will enable 29 businesses and 21 not-for-profit organizations to hire full-time youth interns for up to 52 weeks. Training will also be offered to all of the interns to assist them with their job functions.
This project will contribute to the sustainable development of Francophone communities and will provide opportunities for young Francophones to work in their mother tongue, while also gaining valuable skills, work experience and networking opportunities.
FedDev Ontario's investment will leverage over $682,000 from small- and medium-sized enterprises and not-for-profit organizations.
The project is expected to create 21 permanent positions and 30 temporary positions during the project.
Contribution: up to $925,004
La Cité will develop online training modules to support Francophone businesses in the development of business management and entrepreneurial skills, and support the development of new products through applied research partnerships with businesses and community organizations.
Through these activities, La Cité will improve the economic base and competitiveness of Francophone businesses and communities, increase the number of new Francophone businesses in southern Ontario and improve the success of entrepreneurs.
FedDev Ontario's investment will leverage over $658,000 from small- and medium-sized enterprises and not-for-profit organizations.
The project is expected to create 15 permanent jobs and 30 temporary jobs during the project and maintain 30 permanent jobs and 40 temporary jobs.
The Economic Development Initiative (EDI) is the key economic development initiative under the "Roadmap for Canada's Official Languages 2013-2018: Education, Immigration, Communities," the Government of Canada's strategy for official languages.
Through the Roadmap, the Government of Canada is investing $1.1 billion across 15 federal departments and agencies with a focus on three pillars that will ensure the vitality of English and French in Canada through education, immigration, and communities.
For EDI across the country, the Government of Canada is providing a total of $30.5 million from April 1, 2013, to March 31, 2018. During this period, FedDev Ontario will invest up to $4 million in funding in southern Ontario.
EDI contributes to the Government's priority of creating jobs, promoting economic growth through investment, and supporting the economic development of official language minority communities (OLMCs). EDI will continue to strengthen innovation, entrepreneurship, partnerships, and the diversification of economic activities in OLMCs.
