Northern Ontario Businesses Maximize Exporting Opportunities

Written by FedNor on 25 May 2016

SUDBURY, ON – Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario (FedNor) – The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, and Minister responsible for FedNor, along with Paul Lefebvre, Member of Parliament for Sudbury, Marc Serré, Member of Parliament for Nickel Belt, and Glenn Thibeault, Member of Provincial Parliament for Sudbury, today announced that the Government of Canada and Province of Ontario will invest a total of $1,904,200 to increase the number of exporting firms in Northern Ontario.

“The mining supply and service sector is the economic engine that drives many Northern Ontario communities, which is why the Government of Canada is proud to provide ongoing support for this strategic initiative. By providing businesses with access to the tools and resources they need to succeed in the global economy, we are helping the private sector create high-quality middle-class jobs and positioning the region for immediate and longterm prosperity.” The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, and Minister responsible for FedNor

“ONEDC is proud to partner with FedNor, the NOHFC and the Governments of Canada and Ontario to maximize the economic potential of Northern Ontario’s economy by capitalizing on emerging opportunities in the mining supply and service sectors. Today’s announcement will allow us to build on the success of the Northern Ontario Exports Program to further position Northern Ontario businesses and communities as open for business.” Ian Wood, Chair of ONEDC and Director of Economic Development for the City of Greater Sudbury

Designed to boost the value of exports and improve the capacity of Northern Ontario firms, matching contributions of $952,100 from each level of government will support the ongoing delivery of the Northern Ontario Exports Program (NOEP) for a two-year period. Led by the Ontario’s North Economic Development Corporation (ONEDC), this strategic initiative will provide businesses in the region with support for training, marketing and advertising activities, enabling them to be more competitive in new markets. The funding will also enable ONEDC to establish a Northern Ontario presence within the Canada Pavilion at Minexpo International, the largest mining conference in the world (September 26-28, 2016, in Las Vegas).

QUICK FACTS

Since 2014, the Northern Ontario Exports Program, formerly the Mining Supply and Service Export Assistance Program, has supported 67 Northern Ontario firms, which helped create 137 new jobs and maintained an additional 146 in the region.
Established in 2005, ONEDC has a mandate to create and implement economic development partnerships, programs and projects between the cities of North Bay, Timmins, Sudbury, Thunder Bay and Sault Ste. Marie, as well as other regional development organizations in Northern Ontario.
The federal funding announced today is provided through FedNor’s Northern Ontario Development Program, which supports projects that promote sustainable community economic development, enhance business development and growth, and facilitate innovation throughout the region.
The provincial funding announced today is provided through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC), which works to build strong, prosperous communities across Northern Ontario and supports the province’s top priority to grow the economy and create jobs.