FedNor funds will help businesses develop new products and assist over 50 First Nations in creating AI frameworks
September 29, 2025 - Sudbury, ON - Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario - FedNor
Viviane Lapointe, Member of Parliament for Sudbury, today announced that FedNor is investing $595,400 to support three technology and AI driven initiatives. The announcement was made on behalf of the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for FedNor.
Funded through FedNor's Regional Economic Growth Through Innovation Fund (REGI), a repayable investment of $500,000 will support CircuitIQ complete the late-stage development and commercialization of its Live Powerline Mapping Tool (LPMT). This new technology will modernize previous electrical systems in facilities such as hospitals, utility stations, and transportation networks. It creates easy-to-read circuit directories, labels every device, maps where each panel is, and provides a safety report to identify anomalies. The LPMT gives owners, managers, and workers quick, accurate information about complex power systems while eliminating breaker cycling and shutdowns. Technicians can also make and print simple single line diagrams of electrical circuits, making it easier to fix issues, avoid errors, resulting in safer electrical system upgrades.
As part of the announcement, Waive is receiving a repayable contribution of $67,200 to help develop and commercialize an AI-driven automated form-filling tool to improve healthcare productivity. Once complete, the system will help leverage patient history from electronic medical records to autocomplete basic and complex forms such as disability tax forms, WSIB claims, and diagnostic referrals. Funded through the Government of Canada's Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative for Northern Ontario, this project will help Waive grow its operations, create jobs, and alleviate administrative challenges facing our healthcare system by bringing a new AI-driven technology to market.
The remaining $28,200 will allow the Ontario First Nations Technical Services Corporation to develop and implement an AI strategic plan. Provided through FedNor's Northern Ontario Development Program (NODP), this non-repayable funding will also support AI training and help over 50 First Nation communities adopt AI frameworks to help them enhance operational efficiency and accelerate economic growth.
