Pictured above: Machin Mayor, Gary Parkes, Dryden Mayor, Anne Krassilowksy, Minister of Industry, Tony Clement, Sioux Lookout Mayor, Kathy Poling, Ignace Mayor Lionel Cloutier and Kenora MP, Greg Rickford


KENORA, Ontario — Greg Rickford, MP for Kenora, was delighted to host The Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for FedNor, in Sioux Lookout yesterday. The Minister announced a $9.5 million Government of Canada investment, through FedNor’s Northern Ontario Development and Community Futures Programs, in communities throughout Northern Ontario. This announcement includes nearly $1.2 million in support of community economic development, small business and youth initiatives in the Kenora area (see complete details in backgrounder to follow).

“Today’s announcement addresses priorities identified by the communities,” said Minister Clement. “The investments in critical economic infrastructure, strategic planning and small and medium-sized enterprises will help promote economic diversification and job creation.”

“I am proud that FedNor’s strategic investments in key initiatives in the Kenora region are making a difference by helping families and communities come out of the economic recession stronger,” added Greg Rickford, Member of Parliament for Kenora.

These investments complement measures in Canada’s Economic Action Plan to help communities overcome the challenges brought on by the global economic downturn. Initiatives such as the Community Adjustment Fund and Infrastructure Stimulus Fund are important tools in the Government of Canada’s strategy to revitalize the economy of Northern Ontario.

“Thanks to FedNor’s support for our highway commercial development and small business in the region, we are anticipating growth in our retail and service sector,” said Phil Vinet, Mayor of Red Lake. “This project is an important step in diversifying our economic base.”

By supporting people, communities and business through its programs and services, FedNor is opening doors and building futures for a prosperous Northern Ontario.

For a full list of FedNor-funded projects in Northern Ontario, see: http://ic.gc.ca/fednor



Backgrounder

The Government of Canada Invests In Kenora Region

COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES

$781,895

Municipality of Red Lake
Red Lake will extend water, sewer and utility services to a new highway commercial development thanks to $500,000 in FedNor funding. This new lot will accommodate businesses that have expressed an interest in moving to the city and foster the growth of the city’s retail/service sector.

Slate Falls Nation
With a FedNor investment of $281,895, Slate Falls Nation, in partnership with Cat Lake First Nation, will complete a strategic land use plan for their territories, located 130 kilometres north of Sioux Lookout. This initiative will identify specific regions for future economic development opportunities and earmark key areas for mining, tourism, forestry and hydro development as well as areas for protection.

SMALL BUSINESS INITIATIVES
$370,000

FedNor is committed to supporting community-based economic development efforts that create employment and stimulate growth in Northern Ontario, through partnerships with not-for-profit Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs).

FedNor funding will support:

Patricia Area Community Endeavours Inc.
Based in Dryden, this CFDC will receive a FedNor investment of $320,000 to provide business services and access to capital for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and community development initiatives for a one-year period.

Chukuni Communities Development Corporation
Headquartered in Red Lake, a FedNor contribution of $50,000 will help Chukuni Communities Development Corporation to support a variety of small-scale, economic development projects in the region.

YOUTH INITIATIVE
$27,000

Women’s Place Kenora
Women’s Place Kenora is hiring a Youth Intern to promote economic independence for women, focusing on urban Anishinaabe women and youth. The successful candidate will assist with research, marketing, project management and networking. FedNor’s flagship Youth Internship Program provides young graduates with valuable job experience, helping them make the transition from the campus to the workplace.