Empowering Northern Ontario manufacturers to better compete in the global marketplace
News release
Government of Canada investment helps to deliver popular training program to local businesses committed to becoming more productive.
December 20, 2018 – Sudbury, ON – Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario - FedNor
Northern Ontario manufacturers and workers employed in this sector will benefit from more efficient, competitive and sustainable business operations thanks to a Government of Canada investment of more than $238,500. This FedNor funding will enable Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium of Canada (EMC) to continue to deliver its Advancing Lean Initiatives program, offering improved productivity training to Northern Ontario manufacturers.
Marc Serré, Member of Parliament for Nickel Belt, and Paul Lefebvre, Member of Parliament for Sudbury, made the announcement today on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, and Minister responsible for FedNor.
EMC's Advancing Lean Initiatives, helps managers acquire the skills and resources needed to implement and maintain improved productivity standards and practices. As part of the project, EMC will deliver 42 lean management training events over three years in North Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, Parry Sound/Muskoka, Sudbury, Timmins and Thunder Bay. The initiative will also create opportunities for business and community leaders to share ideas and best practices, while providing a forum for learning and knowledge exchange regarding energy, supply chain, health and safety, human resources and marketing.
"The Government of Canada is proud to support strategic initiatives that accelerate growth and support the
long-term sustainability of key sectors of Northern Ontario's economy. This targeted investment will help form strategic alliances between organizations and businesses that will create new opportunities for manufacturers to strengthen skills training, innovate and create local jobs."
Marc Serré, Member of Parliament for Nickel Belt
"Today's announcement supports our government's Innovation and Skills Plan and Prosperity and Growth Strategy for Northern Ontario that helps to provide innovative companies with the tools they need to grow and succeed. This investment will help strengthen Northern Ontario's manufacturing sector, while creating a highly skilled workforce that will contribute to a strong economy and benefit the entire region."
Paul Lefebvre, Member of Parliament for Sudbury
"Northern Ontario industries are facing critical challenges to competitiveness. Manufacturers are not only competing for new business and customers around the world, but also competing at home to retain and attract skilled workers and talented leadership. Through this strategic investment, EMC will be delivering advanced productivity and management system training, and SME cluster activities designed to help the sector to grow their productive capabilities, while delivering significant impacts for participating firms, the surrounding communities and the region as a whole."
Al Diggins, Chairman, Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium
"We are proud to partner with FedNor to continue to offer support to manufacturers in Northern Ontario, and this program demonstrates our commitment to continue to do so. As cost control continues to be one of the most significant concerns for manufacturers, our cluster events coupled with lean training will help manufacturers not only reduce costs but increase efficiencies while building a more engaged culture. All critical ingredients to their continued success."
Shawn Casemore, President, Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium
Quick facts
The Prosperity and Growth Strategy for Northern Ontario outlines the Government of Canada's approach to ensure the region can fully benefit from the national Innovation and Skills Plan. It is focused on three key economic development areas: supporting innovation; growing companies; and building stronger communities.
The funding announced today is provided through FedNor's Northern Ontario Development Program, which supports projects that promote sustainable community economic development, enhance business development and growth, and facilitate innovation.
Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium of Canada is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping manufacturers grow and become more competitive. It has provincial branches in Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, as well as members in every province across Canada. EMC's on-line membership includes more than 5000 manufacturers from coast-to-coast, representing over 180,000 individual members employed in manufacturing.
