Question Period Note: RESPONSIVE MESSAGES

Can you provide an update on the development of the Prosperity and Growth Strategy for Northern Ontario?

• The Prosperity and Growth Strategy for Northern Ontario (PGSNO) was released on April 9, 2018, to strong public interest and positive feedback.
• The Strategy serves as an economic development roadmap for the region in support of the Government of Canada’s Innovation and Skills Plan, and focuses on:
o Supporting innovation;
o Growing companies; and
o Building stronger communities.
• The PGSNO has achieved solid results and successful collaborations with federal, provincial and regional partners.
• Every dollar delivered and invested by FedNor in fiscal 2019-20 was aligned with the focus of the PGSNO.
• FedNor has invested in 137 projects, contributing $60 million to leverage $101.6 million for projects benefiting Northern Ontario.

The Prosperity and Growth Strategy for Northern Ontario has achieved solid results and successful collaborations with federal, provincial and regional partners.

Every dollar delivered and invested by FedNor in fiscal 2019-20 was aligned with the focus of the PGSNO. FedNor has invested in 137 projects, contributing $60 million to leverage $101.6 million for projects benefiting Northern Ontario. Examples include:
• $11.7 million for 20 projects designed to strengthen the innovation
ecosystem
• $1.4 million to PARO to assist Indigenous Women Entrepreneurs
in rural and remote communities
• $1.6 million to increase the number of exporters and export volumes
with the renewal of the Northern Ontario Exports Program
• $1 million for a technology centre and telepresence unit in
four satellite campuses of Seven Generations Education Institute
• $887,500 to support mining supply/services companies at PDAC
• $785,740 for a Defence Capacity Building and Readiness Program
• $272,000 for the Pikangikum Youth Sawmill Program which provides
wood products for sale as well as essential work experience
• Collaboration with the IRCC on the development of the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot- five Northern Ontario communities among the 11 communities across Canada selected to participate in the program
Comprehensive Community Planning -
• Expanded Comprehensive Community Planning (CCP) supports for First Nation communities across the region with Indigenous Services Canada and Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund (NADF)

PGSNO is aligned with four new national programs launched by the Government of Canada in 2018-19. FedNor was actively involved in the development and delivery of the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy (WES), the Regional Economic Growth through Innovation (REGI) program, the Steel and Aluminium Initiative (SAI) and the Canadian Experiences Fund (CEF).

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