FedNor
Encyclopedia
The Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario (or FedNor) is a program of Industry Canada
whose mission is to address the economic development
, diversification and job creation in Northern Ontario
. FedNor especially aids women, Franco-ontarian
s, youth
, and Aboriginal peoples in Ontario. While a lot of progress has been made in achieving FedNor's objectives, communities in Northern and rural Ontario continue to face the ongoing structural challenges that necessitate a stable, long-term regional development effort.
FedNor’s role is one of facilitator and catalyst, to bring the private and public sector partners together in order to create an environment where communities can thrive, businesses can grow and people can prosper. Since the beginning of FedNor in 1987, the role in business and economic development throughout the North has grown substantially. As a result, the programs and services that FedNor offers to the communities of Northern Ontario
have evolved and improved.
FedNor has offices in Sudbury, Sault Ste. Marie
and Thunder Bay
, which are the three main offices. At the Sudbury office is where the director general resides along with the main branches of communications, corporate services and policy and planning. The Sault Ste. Marie
office of FedNor houses the International Business Centre, which focuses on trade and investment.
, including much of the Central Ontario region. In 2007, a group of politicians from Northern Ontario, including Tony Martin
, Claude Gravelle
and France Gélinas
, called for the program to be refocused exclusively on Northern Ontario
.
, which it does through the delivery of three programs:
Development Program (NODP) was put in place to help promote economic development and diversification throughout Northern Ontario. NODP provides repayable and non-repayable contributions to not-for-profit organizations and small-and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) for projects focussed on one or more of the following six areas: Innovation; Information and Communications Technology (ICT); Community economic development
; Business Financing Support; Trade and Tourism; and Human Capital.
. The Community Futures Program supports a network of 61 Community Futures Development Corporations, which are located all throughout rural Ontario (24 in Northern Ontario and 37 in rural Southern Ontario). Community Futures Development Corporations offer many services which are able to support the small business growth and community economic development.
. It helps to start business and job opportunities, sustainable self-reliant communities, and competitive and diversified regional economy. Delivered by FedNor through the 15 Community Futures Development Corporations in Eastern Ontario
, through this program funding becomes available in five particular areas which include, business and community development, access to capital, skills development, retention and attraction of youth, and technological enhancement.
Initiative (EDI) of the Federal Strategy for Official Languages called the Roadmap for Canada’s Linguistic Duality 2008—2013: Acting for the Future!
Ministers responsible for FedNor
This position was not a full cabinet portfolio. Mitchell was styled as the secretary of state for the federal economic development initiative for Northern Ontario between 1999 and 2003. The subsequent ministers were styled as ministers of state for the federal economic development initiative for Northern Ontario.
Industry Canada
Industry Canada is the department of the Government of Canada with responsibility for regional economic development, investment, and innovation/research and development. The department employs 6104 FTEs across Canada....
whose mission is to address the economic development
Economic development
Economic development generally refers to the sustained, concerted actions of policymakers and communities that promote the standard of living and economic health of a specific area...
, diversification and job creation in Northern Ontario
Northern Ontario
Northern Ontario is a region of the Canadian province of Ontario which lies north of Lake Huron , the French River and Lake Nipissing. The region has a land area of 802,000 km2 and constitutes 87% of the land area of Ontario, although it contains only about 6% of the population...
. FedNor especially aids women, Franco-ontarian
Franco-Ontarian
Franco-Ontarians are French Canadian or francophone residents of the Canadian province of Ontario. They are sometimes known as "Ontarois"....
s, youth
Youth
Youth is the time of life between childhood and adulthood . Definitions of the specific age range that constitutes youth vary. An individual's actual maturity may not correspond to their chronological age, as immature individuals could exist at all ages.-Usage:Around the world, the terms "youth",...
, and Aboriginal peoples in Ontario. While a lot of progress has been made in achieving FedNor's objectives, communities in Northern and rural Ontario continue to face the ongoing structural challenges that necessitate a stable, long-term regional development effort.
FedNor’s role is one of facilitator and catalyst, to bring the private and public sector partners together in order to create an environment where communities can thrive, businesses can grow and people can prosper. Since the beginning of FedNor in 1987, the role in business and economic development throughout the North has grown substantially. As a result, the programs and services that FedNor offers to the communities of Northern Ontario
Northern Ontario
Northern Ontario is a region of the Canadian province of Ontario which lies north of Lake Huron , the French River and Lake Nipissing. The region has a land area of 802,000 km2 and constitutes 87% of the land area of Ontario, although it contains only about 6% of the population...
have evolved and improved.
FedNor has offices in Sudbury, Sault Ste. Marie
Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
Sault Ste. Marie is a city on the St. Marys River in Algoma District, Ontario, Canada. It is the third largest city in Northern Ontario, after Sudbury and Thunder Bay, with a population of 74,948. The community was founded as a French religious mission: Sault either means "jump" or "rapids" in...
and Thunder Bay
Thunder Bay
-In Canada:Thunder Bay is the name of three places in the province of Ontario, Canada along Lake Superior:*Thunder Bay District, Ontario, a district in Northwestern Ontario*Thunder Bay, a city in Thunder Bay District*Thunder Bay, Unorganized, Ontario...
, which are the three main offices. At the Sudbury office is where the director general resides along with the main branches of communications, corporate services and policy and planning. The Sault Ste. Marie
Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
Sault Ste. Marie is a city on the St. Marys River in Algoma District, Ontario, Canada. It is the third largest city in Northern Ontario, after Sudbury and Thunder Bay, with a population of 74,948. The community was founded as a French religious mission: Sault either means "jump" or "rapids" in...
office of FedNor houses the International Business Centre, which focuses on trade and investment.
Controversy
Under prior minister Andy Mitchell, FedNor's service area was expanded to include many rural areas in Southern OntarioSouthern Ontario
Southern Ontario is a region of the province of Ontario, Canada that lies south of the French River and Algonquin Park. Depending on the inclusion of the Parry Sound and Muskoka districts, its surface area would cover between 14 to 15% of the province. It is the southernmost region of...
, including much of the Central Ontario region. In 2007, a group of politicians from Northern Ontario, including Tony Martin
Tony Martin (politician)
Anthony A. "Tony" Martin is a Canadian politician. He was a member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1990 to 2003, representing the riding of Sault Ste. Marie for the Ontario New Democratic Party . He was elected to the Canadian House of Commons for the federal NDP in 2004, again...
, Claude Gravelle
Claude Gravelle
Claude Gravelle is a Canadian politician, who was elected to represent the electoral district of Nickel Belt in the 2008 Canadian federal election. He is a member of the New Democratic Party....
and France Gélinas
France Gélinas
France Gélinas is a Canadian politician, who was elected to represent the riding of Nickel Belt in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario in the 2007 Ontario election. She is a member of the Ontario New Democratic Party....
, called for the program to be refocused exclusively on Northern Ontario
Northern Ontario
Northern Ontario is a region of the Canadian province of Ontario which lies north of Lake Huron , the French River and Lake Nipissing. The region has a land area of 802,000 km2 and constitutes 87% of the land area of Ontario, although it contains only about 6% of the population...
.
Community Futures Program
FedNor's has a Community Futures (CF) Program; This program helps to support sixtyone Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs), throughout Ontario. In the North there are twenty-four corporations, leaving the remaining thirty-seven to help serve Eastern and Southern Ontario. CFDCs provide an assortment of different programs and services which are for assisting in the community economic development and small business growth. These programs are able to provide help in: Strategic community planning and socio-economic development; Support for community-based projects; Business information and planning services; and Access to capital for small and medium-sized businesses and social enterprises. These community-based, not-for-profit organizations are staffed by professionals and are each governed by local volunteer boards of directors familiar with their communities' needs, concerns and future development prioritiesKey Programs
FedNor supports regional economic developmentEconomic development
Economic development generally refers to the sustained, concerted actions of policymakers and communities that promote the standard of living and economic health of a specific area...
, which it does through the delivery of three programs:
Northern Ontario Development Program
The Northern OntarioNorthern Ontario
Northern Ontario is a region of the Canadian province of Ontario which lies north of Lake Huron , the French River and Lake Nipissing. The region has a land area of 802,000 km2 and constitutes 87% of the land area of Ontario, although it contains only about 6% of the population...
Development Program (NODP) was put in place to help promote economic development and diversification throughout Northern Ontario. NODP provides repayable and non-repayable contributions to not-for-profit organizations and small-and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) for projects focussed on one or more of the following six areas: Innovation; Information and Communications Technology (ICT); Community economic development
Community economic development
Community Economic Development is a field of study that actively elicits community involvement when working with government, and private sectors to build strong communities, industries, and markets...
; Business Financing Support; Trade and Tourism; and Human Capital.
Community Futures Program
The Community Futures (CF) Program is done nationally, and is administered by FedNor in rural OntarioOntario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
. The Community Futures Program supports a network of 61 Community Futures Development Corporations, which are located all throughout rural Ontario (24 in Northern Ontario and 37 in rural Southern Ontario). Community Futures Development Corporations offer many services which are able to support the small business growth and community economic development.
Eastern Ontario Development Program
The Eastern Ontario Development Program (EODP) helps to promote socio-economic development within Eastern OntarioEastern Ontario
Eastern Ontario is a subregion of Southern Ontario in the Canadian province of Ontario which lies in a wedge-shaped area between the Ottawa River and St. Lawrence River...
. It helps to start business and job opportunities, sustainable self-reliant communities, and competitive and diversified regional economy. Delivered by FedNor through the 15 Community Futures Development Corporations in Eastern Ontario
Eastern Ontario
Eastern Ontario is a subregion of Southern Ontario in the Canadian province of Ontario which lies in a wedge-shaped area between the Ottawa River and St. Lawrence River...
, through this program funding becomes available in five particular areas which include, business and community development, access to capital, skills development, retention and attraction of youth, and technological enhancement.
Other Program Delivery
As Industry Canada’s main point of presence in Northern and rural Ontario, FedNor delivers national initiatives and expanded program delivery opportunities in rural Ontario. Through the years of 2008-09, FedNor plans to deliver the Economic DevelopmentEconomic development
Economic development generally refers to the sustained, concerted actions of policymakers and communities that promote the standard of living and economic health of a specific area...
Initiative (EDI) of the Federal Strategy for Official Languages called the Roadmap for Canada’s Linguistic Duality 2008—2013: Acting for the Future!
Ministers responsible for FedNor
| 1. | Andy Mitchell | August 3, 1999 – December 11, 2003 | Ministry of Prime Minister Jean Chrétien Jean Chrétien Joseph Jacques Jean Chrétien , known commonly as Jean Chrétien is a former Canadian politician who was the 20th Prime Minister of Canada. He served in the position for over ten years, from November 4, 1993 to December 12, 2003.... |
| 2. | Joe Comuzzi Joe Comuzzi Joseph Robert "Joe" Comuzzi, PC is a former Canadian politician.Comuzzi was born in Fort William, Ontario. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Windsor in 1954. In 1966, Comuzzi received the University of Windsor Alumni Award of Merit, the Alumni Association's most... |
December 12, 2003 – June 27, 2005 | Ministry of Prime Minister Paul Martin Paul Martin Paul Edgar Philippe Martin, PC , also known as Paul Martin, Jr. is a Canadian politician who was the 21st Prime Minister of Canada, as well as leader of the Liberal Party of Canada.... |
| 3. | Andy Mitchell | June 28, 2005 – February 5, 2006 | |
| 4. | Tony Clement Tony Clement Tony Peter Clement, PC, MP is a Canadian federal politician, President of the Treasury Board, Minister for the Federal Economic Initiative for Northern Ontario and member of the Conservative Party of Canada.... |
February 6, 2006 - October 29, 2008 | Ministry of Prime Minister Stephen Harper Stephen Harper Stephen Joseph Harper is the 22nd and current Prime Minister of Canada and leader of the Conservative Party. Harper became prime minister when his party formed a minority government after the 2006 federal election... |
This position was not a full cabinet portfolio. Mitchell was styled as the secretary of state for the federal economic development initiative for Northern Ontario between 1999 and 2003. The subsequent ministers were styled as ministers of state for the federal economic development initiative for Northern Ontario.