Government of Canada supports Francophone organizations to create jobs and accelerate growth and recovery efforts in Northeastern Ontario

As COVID-19 restrictions are gradually being lifted across Canada, communities and businesses are stepping efforts to rebuild and grow their economy. Through regional development agencies such as FedNor, the Government of Canada is strengthening its investments in sectors hard hit by the pandemic, with a focus on developing capacity, new expertise and innovation.

Marc G. Serré, Member of Parliament for Nickel Belt, on behalf of the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages, today announced a Government of Canada investment of nearly $675,000 to create jobs and maximize economic opportunities in Northeastern Ontario’s Francophone communities.

Provided through FedNor’s Economic Development Initiative (EDI) and Northern Ontario Development Program, the investments will create and protect 22 jobs by enhancing tourism and supporting Francophone organizations, entrepreneurs, businesses and communities. Organizations that will benefit from this funding include Fondation Communautaire du Temiskaming, Centre culturel ARTEM, Conseil scolaire catholique de district des Grandes Rivières and ACFO-Témiskaming.

Today’s announcement is further proof of the Government of Canada’s commitment to businesses and organizations in Official Language Minority Communities (OLMCs) – assisting them to overcome the challenges of COVID-19 so they can grow and prosper. Initiatives like these will help get Canadians back to work and ensure that Francophone businesses and OLMCs can play a major role in Canada’s economic recovery.