MINISTER CLEMENT ANNOUNCES INVESTMENTS TO STRENGTHEN ABORIGINAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT IN NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO
THUNDER BAY, Ontario, August 11, 2011 — The Honourable Tony Clement, Minister for FedNor, today announced a Government of Canada investment of $1.82 million in support of First Nation small business development and growth in Northwestern Ontario.
“The Government of Canada is committed to helping communities capitalize on business opportunities, strengthen the local economy and create jobs,” said Minister Clement. “To that end, we continue to work in partnership with Community Futures Development Corporations, such as Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund, encouraging the entrepreneurial spirit
in rural regions across the country.”
JP Gladu, Senior Advisor- Economic Development Sand Point In Queens
Executive MBA program.
“ These funds will help us develop the foundation, quite literally, with the lot development. Without economic development the community will struggle in ownership and pride. Many of our communities are doing very well and a lot are struggling. The ones that are struggling don’t
have that economic base but it will take some time to develop. We are lucky to have these things in place to support a sawmill and pallet mill with $460,000 for the industrial park. Minister Gravelle has contributed $1 million for our sawmill and we are going for other
funds from the government as well as from the RBC and TD Banks and other private investors in BC. We have the feed stock or underutilized forest product for the project inplace.
Our land is stunning with lake front on Lake Nipigon. We want to attract young people for real jobs and finance our own homes.”
Tony Clement Minister Responsible for Fed Nor and President of the
Treasury Board
“ It is all about jobs and economic development. When we allocate this money it is because it is a little bit tougher to raise money in smaller centers than say in Montreal, Vancouver or Toronto. That is why these community futures organizations were created and are a responsibility of Fed Nor. The idea is to level the playing field.”
“ Aboriginals play a key economic role. We want to be supportive of these initiatives. Our economic review is to live with in our means. If you have long term deficits you actually have less money for current economic projects. We have a plan to get out of deficit by 2014.”
“ In NW Ontario we have been through a bit of a rough patch. If you look at the transportation, forestry, tourism and small manufacturing, these sectors have had their fair share of trouble. I do think though there is a real sense for hope and optimism for the future and a lot of
good projects going on like the waterfront project and our support of the cyclotron. These will be things helpful for Thunder Bay’s economy in the future. You are really starting to see a new entrepreneurial class that is developing in our aboriginal communities which also
augers well for the future.”
