FedNor invests more than $1.1 million to support Black entrepreneurs and businesses throughout the region
March 11, 2022 - Sudbury, ON - Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario - FedNor
Black Canadian business owners and entrepreneurs make important contributions to the Canadian economy, yet they continue to face systemic racism and obstacles in starting and growing their businesses. This has been further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Government of Canada is working to address long-standing barriers with its first-ever Black Entrepreneurship Program (BEP) - an over $400-million investment to support the long-term success of Black entrepreneurs and business owners.
Today, Viviane Lapointe, Member of Parliament for Sudbury, and Marc G. Serré, Member of Parliament for Nickel Belt and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Official Languages, announced that the Afro-Heritage Association of Sudbury will receive $1,150,000 through FedNor to establish the Northern Ontario Black Economic Empowerment Program in communities throughout Northern Ontario. The announcement was made on behalf of the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister responsible for FedNor, and Member of Parliament for Thunder Bay-Superior North.
Using a business-first approach, this program is designed to address systemic racism and discrimination by creating greater pathways to opportunity. The program will gather, develop and deliver culturally appropriate support to Black entrepreneurs and business owners to address the gaps in the region's entrepreneurship ecosystem. Specifically, the funding will allow the Afro-Heritage Association of Sudbury to coordinate workshops, training seminars and trade shows, provide mentorship and consulting services, and support various events and activities that showcase Black talent, excellence, success and businesses. This strategic investment also allows the association to create four full-time high-quality jobs to support the administration of the program.
The support is provided through the National Ecosystem Fund, which was created to strengthen the entrepreneurship ecosystem for Black entrepreneurs and business owners across Canada. In Northern Ontario, FedNor is administering the Fund.
