Question Period Note: Support for Diversity & Inclusion

Support for Diversity & Inclusion

• The Government of Canada recognizes the importance of supporting diverse and inclusive economic growth for our communities.

• The Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) invests in projects that are led by and benefit underrepresented groups through its ongoing regional programs, as well as through the delivery of targeted, time-limited national initiatives such as the Black Entrepreneurship Program Ecosystem Fund.

• FedDev Ontario continues to provide investments that grow an economy that works for the people of southern Ontario.

• Supporting growth in southern Ontario that is inclusive of underrepresented groups and communities is a key priority area for FedDev Ontario that is included in the Minister’s Mandate Letter. To achieve this, the Agency identifies opportunities to support projects and initiatives led by and benefitting underrepresented groups in the economy.

• Supporting a clean, inclusive and globally competitive economy is a pillar of the programs delivered by RDAs. This includes the Jobs and Growth Fund and the Tourism Growth Program (part of Canada’s Tourism Growth Strategy) which dedicates 15% of funding for Indigenous-led tourism initiatives.
o For example, FedDev Ontario provided Toronto Business Development Centre (TBDC) an investment of $3.3 million to provide support to 100 newcomer entrepreneurs as they seek to start and grow their companies in southern Ontario. Through this project, TBDC, an Ontario-wide business incubator, will provide workshops, mentorship, and training to help participating entrepreneurs adopt new technologies and bring their products to market faster. This project is expected to result in the creation of 200 jobs, 80 new products or services, and 50 new intellectual properties.

• FedDev Ontario, along with other RDAs, delivers national programming to support greater inclusion of underrepresented groups in the economy:
o The Black Entrepreneurship Program (BEP) Ecosystem Fund (intake now closed) aims to strengthen the entrepreneurship ecosystem for Black entrepreneurs and business owners. For example, the Agency provided Empowerment Squared up to $1.92 million to support Black business owners and entrepreneurs in the greater Hamilton and Windsor areas by creating ‘the Southwestern Ontario Black Business Network,’ which will bring together partners to offer networking events (in person and/or virtual) and deliver a customized mentorship program, business essentials curriculum and targeted seminars. It is expected to support 75 businesses and create 80 new full-time jobs.
o The Economic Development Initiative (EDI) in southern Ontario (recently relaunched) supports official language minority communities (OLMCs) by providing financial support for projects that encourage economic diversification, business development, innovation, and partnerships, and that provide increased support for small and medium-sized businesses in OLMCs.
o RDAs also previously delivered funding under the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy (WES) Ecosystem Fund that was first launched in 2018 and ended in March 2023; the Fund supported women to start and grow their businesses.

Support for Indigenous entrepreneurs

• On June 1, the Agency also launched its Indigenous landing page, designed to provide a single-window approach to better support Indigenous businesses and organizations. In conjunction with this effort, the Agency has also established a dedicated email and phone line for Indigenous clients to provide tailored support.

• Under its ongoing and temporary programs, FedDev Ontario has prioritized projects that support Indigenous entrepreneurs and other underrepresented groups.
o For example, the Agency provided Aboriginal Impact Capital with more than $10 million to establish a new capital pool that is helping Aboriginal Financial Institutions to meet the increasing need for access to capital for Indigenous entrepreneurs.
o Through the Tourism Relief Fund, FedDev Ontario provided $750,000 to Indigenous Experiences to support the modernization and renovation of Mādahòkì Farm located in Ottawa’s Greenbelt.

• To strengthen outreach with Indigenous partners across the region, FedDev Ontario recently launched a dedicated landing page for Indigenous businesses and organizations.

• Regional development agencies (RDAs) deliver the Economic Development Initiative, which supports economic development in Official Language Minority Communities, as well as the Community Futures Program that targets economic development in rural areas through a network of Community Futures Development Corporations (two of which are Indigenous-led).