Government of Canada highlights recent investments in the Guelph region in the advanced manufacturing and sustainable packaging sectors
As a key part of Canada's economic recovery, the Government of Canada is investing in local businesses and entrepreneurs to ensure they have the tools they need to succeed now and in the future. This includes supporting businesses that are greening and growing their operations to make a cleaner future for Canadians.
Last Thursday, the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) and Lloyd Longfield, Member of Parliament for Guelph, stopped at Innovation Guelph. They enjoyed a tour of their office and saw firsthand the mentorship, networking, and entrepreneurial opportunities they have to offer through the recently supported i.d.e.a. Fund. Next, they went to a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Italian-led Omnia Packaging, which previously received a FedDev Ontario investment of $3.7 million to acquire new equipment to increase production of their Canadian-made, 100 percent compostable and recyclable paper trays, while creating 50 jobs in the Guelph community.
Minister Tassi then met with Andrea Ferrari, the Ambassador of Italy to Canada, and Luca Zelioli, Consul General at the Consulate General of Italy in Toronto, to celebrate the unique bond that Italy and Canada share. They discussed the important contributions that Italian businesses provide to the growing economy in southern Ontario.
MP Longfield and Minister Tassi then met with Shakiba Shayani, the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Guelph Chamber of Commerce, to discuss how the Government of Canada can make life more affordable and grow Guelph's economy by creating local jobs across the region.
Lastly, MP Longfield and Minister Tassi visited the University of Guelph for a tour of their agricultural and food research and development facilities, to see innovation at work and how the institution is shaping and preparing Canada's future workforce.
This was an exciting day for both Guelph's Italian community and local community leaders. There are so many organizations, businesses and entrepreneurs who are paving the way forward to a bright, eco-friendly, and strong economic future.
