Government of Canada invests to create jobs, growth and maximize economic development opportunities throughout the Kenora region

Strong municipalities and First Nation communities are key to a thriving regional economy. That is why the Government of Canada is working at a grassroots level to help them develop and diversify their economies. Through its Regional Development Agencies, such as FedNor, the federal government is investing to strengthen rural communities and enable small and medium-sized enterprises to grow and create meaningful jobs for Canadians.

Terry Sheehan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for FedNor, today announced a Government of Canada investment of more than $770,000 to support three community economic development initiatives in the Kenora region.

Provided through FedNor’s Community Investment Initiative for Northern Ontario (CIINO), the funding will enable the Obashkaandagaang First Nation, City of Dryden and Municipality of Machin to each hire an Economic Development Officers (EDO) for a three-year period. While on the job, the EDOs will undertake a variety of priority projects that will help create jobs, support recovery efforts, strengthen key sectors of the economy, and position the region for sustainable growth and prosperity.

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, municipalities and Indigenous communities, helping them to not just survive, but thrive. Initiatives like these will help get Canadians back to work and ensure that Northern and First Nation communities are set to fully participate in Canada’s economic recovery.