Question Period Note: FedNor’s transition to a standalone agency

*The Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario (FedNor) is the key Government of Canada partner for regional economic development in Northern Ontario.
*First created as a federal initiative in 1987 with a mandate to assist in the expansion and diversification of the economy of Northern Ontario, FedNor was established as a standalone Regional Development Agency (RDA) on August 12, 2021.
*This transformation confirms the importance of the role of RDAs across Canada.

Following through on its commitment in Budget 2021, the Government of Canada announced the creation of FedNor as a standalone agency on August 10, 2021. The Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario (FedNor) was formally established through Orders in Council on August 12, 2021. FedNor previously operated as an initiative of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada.
As part of Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan, FedNor has demonstrated its ability to quickly deliver special programs such as the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund to support businesses and organizations impacted by the pandemic.
In addition to its regular programming, FedNor is also delivering four additional programs that will inject nearly $83 million in new funding into the region over the next few years. These new programs were launched earlier this summer and include the Canada Community Revitalization Fund ($19.14 million over two years), Tourism Relief Fund ($25.3 million over two years), Jobs and Growth Fund ($26.6 million over three years) and the Aerospace Regional Recovery Initiative ($11.88 million over three years).

• This transformation will allow the federal government to better tailor the implementation of its priorities – inclusive, sustainable and fair economic development, to the needs of Northern Ontario.
• The move also responded to a need identified by community and business leaders over the years who felt Northern Ontario needed its own regional development agency.
• While continuing to support the long-term growth of Northern Ontario's economy, FedNor is also implementing several federal measures to help businesses, organizations and communities affected by the economic impacts of the pandemic.