Today, the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for FedNor, announced Government of Canada investments totalling $3,575,246 in 10 forestry and economic resilience projects across Northern Ontario. The funding for these projects is provided through FedNor's funding programs and initiatives, including: Northern Ontario Development Program (NODP), Regional Economic Growth through Innovation initiative (REGI), and the Regional Homebuilding Innovation Initiative for Northern Ontario (RHII).
Centre for Research & Innovation in the Bio-Economy (CRIBE)
$1,701,000
A non-repayable FedNor investment of $1,701,000 is going to the Centre for Research & Innovation in the Bio-Economy (CRIBE) to develop, support, and scale up regionally-specific Integrated Wood Biorefinery and Manufacturing Clusters. This project will include the development of regional innovation clusters and investment hubs within Northern Ontario, as well as market development, support, outreach and industry promotion, and advocacy infrastructure on behalf of the forest bioeconomy industry, all of which will support the development of forestry product-based bio-refinement capacity in the region. This initiative will also help provide collaborative networking events, resource sharing and commercialization opportunities for industries and enterprises in the North operating in the forestry sector, and will foster development, commercialization, and investment in new products and services to grow the forest products sector. Furthermore, this project will also support expansion of CRIBE's existing innovator network, Nextfor, which connects organizations and builds upon existing value chain development work, and will help grow ForestEDGE, a first in kind geospatial economic development tool that maps available wood supply and community attributes, displaying resource data for participants and small and medium-sized enterprises to make critical decisions on where and what materials are available within the region.
Township of Schreiber
$79,200
A non-repayable FedNor investment of $79,200 will support the Township of Schreiber in developing a five-year strategic plan, as well as a community profile. The process will involve strategic reviews, research, consultation to identify current resources and desired future action in order to capitalize on economic opportunities for growth and to strengthen the community's ability to build sustainability into the future.
Township of Nipigon
$72,000
A non-repayable FedNor investment of $72,000 will support the Town of Nipigon in developing a five-year strategic plan as well as an updated community profile. The document will help guide local decision-making processes, and will help outline key medium- and long-term objectives for the community to pursue.
Township of Terrace Bay
$71,910
A non-repayable FedNor investment of $71,910 will support the Township of Terrace Bay in developing a strategic plan for a five-year period. The plan will identify short, medium, and long-term values and vision, as well as objectives and priorities. Potential priorities include community infrastructure, public services, amenities, and population attraction and retention, as well as opportunities to boost economic growth in the tourism sector.
Initiatives Funded by FedNor in Northeastern Ontario
Keepers of the Circle
$922,649
A FedNor investment of $922,649 will support Keepers of the Circle in completing the construction of an Indigenous women-led modular home construction facility. The factory will manufacture and store prefabricated panels for modular homes that are designed with an Indigenous lens and meet the needs of Northern climate conditions. Northern Ontario faces various challenges that affect the housing supply chain and this project is focused on increasing local supply. This 24,000 square foot construction facility will have an attached support building with a daycare, cultural room, and living accommodations for shift workers. It will also be used as a year-round training facility, providing opportunity for hands-on experience and skills training across the construction trades, with a focus on recruiting Indigenous women.
The Town of Espanola
$379,200
The Town of Espanola is receiving $379,200 for two separate projects:
- A contribution of $300,000 will enable the Town of Espanola and partner communities to hire an Economic Development Officer (EDO) for a three-year period. The EDO will help create and maximize economic development opportunities in Espanola and the Townships of Baldwin, Sables-Spanish Rivers, and Nairn-Hyman. Provided through FedNor's Community Investment Initiative for Northern Ontario (CIINO), The EDO will undertake a variety of local priorities designed to create jobs, strengthen the economy, and position the region for sustainable growth. Key areas of focus for the EDO include investment readiness, tourism, mining, forestry, business support and housing.
- $79,200 will enable the Town of Espanola to create an Economic Diversification Strategy Plan. The plan will support the community to explore diversification of the local economy in light of heavy reliance on the forestry sector. The new strategy will include an implementation plan, which will lead to spin off projects, and will include the Township of Sables-Spanish Rivers, Township of Baldwin, Township of Nairn and Hyman, Sagamok Anishnawbek First Nation, and Whitefish River First Nation in the plan.
Northern Truss
$198,037
A FedNor investment of $198,037 will support Northern Truss in updating and upgrading equipment, infrastructure, and manufacturing processes. This includes the purchase and installation of table pins, a forklift loader, a new outdoor storage structure, and the completion of associated work, all of which will enhance productivity, improve production quality, and support future growth and job creation.
Muskoka Timber Mills Ltd.
$93,750
Muskoka Timber Mills is receiving a repayable Government of Canada investment of $93,750 to purchase and install innovative equipment such as a knot-filling machine, paint spray booth and automated packaging lines. This strategic initiative is helping the company to improve production and processes, reduce waste, and improve the health and safety of its workers.
Wahkohtowin Development GP Inc.
$57,500
A FedNor investment of $57,500 will support Wahkohtowin Development GP Inc. in hiring a youth intern for an 18-month period. The position will report to the General Manager and be mentored by the General Manager and Senior Project Manager. The youth intern will support implementation of Wahkohtowin's Height of Land Ecological Corridor Project, its Guardians Program, the Indigenous Lands Symposium, and other related activities as needed.
