Southern Ontario Spotlight

Southern Ontario Spotlight

FedDev Ontario's focus on economic development

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In celebration of International Women’s Day on March 8, this issue of the Southern Ontario Spotlight focuses on the contributions and achievements of women entrepreneurs in southern Ontario.

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Making headlines

Government of Canada provides support for expansion of women-focused not-for-profit

Government of Canada provides support for expansion of women-focused not-for-profit

International Women’s Day is a global day to recognize and celebrate women’s and girls’ social, economic, cultural and political achievements, as well as to raise awareness of the work that remains to be done in achieving gender equality. The Government of Canada recognizes that women entrepreneurs are essential to the economic success of our communities and is investing in women entrepreneurs to help them succeed and to help build a strong, diverse economy and a better future for all Canadians.

On March 8, FedDev Ontario Minister Filomena Tassi announced a contribution of over $1.7 million for PARO Centre for Women’s Enterprise (PARO) to deliver the Women's Enterprise Centre Southern and Eastern (WECSE) Ontario initiative. PARO is a Northern Ontario-based, women-led not-for-profit that helps women in Ontario start and grow their businesses through skills training, networking opportunities, mentoring and access to funding. This investment will allow PARO (through the WECSE) to expand their services across Ontario, with a focus on the rural areas of Prescott-Russell, Stormont, Dundas, Glengarry, Peterborough/Kawarthas and Bruce/Grey/Middlesex. The initiative will be delivered in collaboration with 10 partners, including local Community Futures Development Corporations, and will support over 170 women-owned businesses, create and maintain 190 jobs and provide access to services for business development and job creation to more than 1,500 women in the region. It will prioritize services to women identifying as Indigenous, members of racialized communities, youth, 2SLGBTQI+, persons with disabilities, newcomers to Canada, and members of official language minority and rural communities.

PARO was also one of 28 new Women Entrepreneurship Strategy (WES) investment projects announced by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED). Eight projects will receive training, mentorship and business acceleration support to help diverse and underserved women across the country reach their business goals. Fifteen recipients will receive support in areas such as the care economy and the retail and service sectors—as well as providing coverage in rural and remote regions and the north. Lastly, five organizations have been approved for $15 million to deliver the Inclusive Women Venture Capital Initiative to help women access venture capital funding and ensure that the venture capital industry is sensitive to gender and potential unconscious bias.

Government of Canada support for aerospace sector

Government of Canada support for aerospace sector

Canada’s aerospace sector is a pillar of the economy and a driver of innovation across the country. With products on virtually every passenger aircraft in the world, southern Ontario is home to world-class aerospace manufacturers and organizations.

On March 14, FedDev Ontario Minister Filomena Tassi announced a total investment of over $11 million, through the Aerospace Regional Recovery Initiative (ARRI), for RAMPF Composite Solutions Inc. (RAMPF), Nanowave Technologies Inc., NWI Precision Tube ULC and Women in Aerospace - Canada (WIA – Canada). RAMPF, a Burlington-based manufacturer, will purchase new equipment to reduce waste and increase processing speed, creating 15 new jobs in Burlington. Hamilton-based not-for-profit WIA – Canada, an organization dedicated to expanding women’s visibility in the aerospace sector, will develop and deliver the Advancing Women in Aerospace Leadership Program, providing professional development, training and mentorship programs at no cost for 150 women in or transitioning into the aerospace sector.

In February, Minister Tassi announced an ARRI investment of over $22 million for six aerospace projects in the Waterloo and Cambridge regions. This investment will support businesses and organizations in Ontario's aerospace supply chain to increase manufacturing and productivity capabilities, green operations, train, and upskill employees, while supporting over 400 jobs across the region.

This investment includes nearly $9.2 million in support for the University of Waterloo’s Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Aeronautics (WISA), that will equip an Innovation Hub at the Waterloo Region Airport to mobilize research, access green technologies and provide hands-on aviation training. In Cambridge, Shimco North America (Shimco), a full-service custom shim and small part aerospace manufacturer, is receiving over $1.2 million to support the construction of a 20,000- square foot addition to its manufacturing space and purchase new advanced equipment.

Minister Tassi, along with with Ya’ara Saks, Member of Parliament for York Centre, recently attended a Downsview Aerospace Innovation and Research (DAIR) milestone event to celebrate Green Fund recipients. In August, DAIR received over $2.6 million from FedDev Ontario to help improve the aerospace sector’s overall environmental footprint by funding projects that will support the government’s initiative to a greener future.

In total, these projects will increase manufacturing capacity and productivity, green operations, provide professional skills development and support over 180 jobs across southern Ontario’s aerospace sector. Since 2015, the Government of Canada, through FedDev Ontario, has invested nearly $160 million in nearly 35 aerospace projects across southern Ontario, creating over 900 jobs and maintaining over 1,000 jobs.

FedDev Ontario attends numerous International Women’s Day events throughout the month

FedDev Ontario attends numerous International Women’s Day events throughout the month

Throughout the month of March, Minister Tassi and FedDev Ontario representatives attended numerous events across southern Ontario to celebrate the achievements of women entrepreneurs and to listen and learn about innovative opportunities to address barriers to success still faced by women in Canada.

On March 2, Minister Tassi delivered virtual remarks at the StrikeUP 2023 Conference, hosted in collaboration with Northumberland Community Futures Development Corporation (NCFDC) and Women Entrepreneurship Strategy (WES) Ecosystem Fund recipients, dedicated to supporting women entrepreneurs and providing a forum for growth, mentorship and financing. Minister Tassi celebrated the important role of the women’s entrepreneurship ecosystem across Canada and in southern Ontario as well as the achievements of the network to date. The Minister also highlighted the federal government’s ongoing commitment, through FedDev Ontario, to advancing gender equity through the WES. The event saw more than 3,000 attendees, which included women entrepreneurs, coaches, impact investors and supporters. Then on March 10, at the Women Inspire 2023 forum hosted by Casa Foundation, the Minister provided introductory remarks welcoming attendees to the event, highlighting Government of Canada support for women and Black entrepreneurs and the importance of a diverse economy that helps communities thrive, supports job creation and drives industry growth.

Lloyd Longfield, Member of Parliament for Guelph, spoke on behalf of Minister Tassi at Innovation Guelph’s Rhyze and Shine Pitch Event on March 16, a public pitch competition and networking opportunity for women entrepreneurs, which featured a $30,000 prize awarded to the competition’s winner. MP Longfield spoke about the importance of creating a strong, diverse economy and how Innovation Guelph and Rhyze Ventures have been delivering critical supports including mentorship, networking opportunities, training and coaching to help more than 250 women entrepreneurs and women-led businesses start and grow their businesses to date.

Representatives from FedDev Ontario attended the 2023 Women in Defence and Security (WiDS) Awards Breakfast in Ottawa, where more than 1,400 in-person and virtual attendees heard a keynote speech from Jody Thomas, National Security and Intelligence Advisor to the Prime Minister. The event recognized emerging leaders in Canada’s defence space and featured the presentation of two scholarships and a fellowship, and the announcement of Department of National Defence Director Julia Scouten as the new WiDS President. Minister Tassi also delivered congratulatory remarks at the wrap-up event for the WE-CAN project at Queen’s University, a FedDev Ontario-supported initiative that has provided more than 2,300 women entrepreneurs with tools, resources, expert mentors, networks and community building to expand existing businesses and to launch new ventures.

Lastly, a representative from FedDev Ontario spoke at the Journée de la Femme event hosted by the Prescott-Russell Community Development Corporation and MOFIF, which featured panelists Dr. Samantha Nutt from WarChild, Sabine Soumare from Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub, and and Rokhaya Gueye and Caroline Codsi from Women in Governance. A FedDev Ontario representative also participated in an IWD Networking Lunch hosted by Town of Blue Mountains and Blue Mountains’ Chamber of Commerce, where they heard from Ukrainian women who shared their incredible stories of fleeing the war and relocating to Canada to build a new business and a new life in Grey County.

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Feddev Ontario recipient news and updates

Nuts for Cheese founder Margaret Coons named on top entrepreneur lists
Nuts for Cheese founder Margaret Coons named on top entrepreneur lists

Nuts for Cheese founder Margaret Coons named on top entrepreneur lists

Nuts for Cheese is a producer of 100% dairy-free, vegan cheeses based out of London, Ontario. Launched in 2015 at a London farmer’s market, Founder and CEO Margaret Coons started the company by experimenting with nuts and seeds to create creamy, plant-based cheeses, resulting in a vegan cheese board that quickly gained local attention. Currently, Nuts for Cheese operates out of a 25,000- square foot facility and received support from FedDev Ontario in 2019 to scale production to meet increased demand and expand into new markets.

Recently, Margaret Coons was named on The Peak’s Emerging Leaders 2023 list, which features up-and-coming young leaders shaping Canada's economy, culture, and society. She also received a Top 25 Women of Influence award from WOI+, an organization focused on providing women with connections, support, training and tools to carve new pathways and excel in their careers.

Congratulations, Margaret!

OBIO announces first cohort for business leadership program
OBIO announces first cohort for business leadership program

OBIO announces first cohort for business leadership program

The Ontario Bioscience Innovation Organization (OBIO®) announced the eight successful participants for the Women in Health Initiative’s (WiHI) inaugural Business Leadership Program. OBIO screened more than 50 early-stage candidates as part of its competitive application process, from across the life sciences spectrum and representing therapeutics, diagnostics, digital technologies and medical devices.

Participants of the program include Christine Prada, CEO of Future Fertility, Marwa Jazi, VP of People & Culture at Intellijoint Surgical; Nathalie Galant, CEO of Paradox Immunotherapeutics; and Catherine Bornbaum, Head of Clinical Operations & Partnerships at RetiSpec. These participants will act as mentor leaders to OBIO’s community for women’s professional development, helping to strengthen a sector traditionally underrepresented by women.

In 2022, FedDev Ontario announced a non-repayable contribution of $10 million, through the Jobs and Growth Fund, for OBIO to expand its Early Adopter Health Network (EAHN™) program, and also launch the Women in Health Initiative (WiHI).

Indigenous children’s author finds paths to success through participation in WE-CAN project
Indigenous children’s author finds paths to success through participation in WE-CAN project

Indigenous children’s author finds paths to success through participation in WE-CAN project

Pamela Devonshire is an author, storyteller, proud member of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, and an advocate for protecting and preserving traditional knowledge through teachings on Indigenous heritage, culture and contributions that shaped our country.

During the pandemic, Pamela created a series of children’s stories focused on highlighting significant Indigenous people, events and folklore, with the goal of eventually being able to share these stories with a wider audience beyond her immediate family and community. This passion to educate in a creative and compelling way led Pamela to connect with the WE-CAN Project’s Kwe-Biz Program, a business training and mentorship initiative for Indigenous women entrepreneurs. Participation in this program gave Pamela the tools, connections and confidence to launch her own publishing business, Lightning Spark Books. To date, she has published three books of Indigenous stories which have been translated into Mohawk and are available for sale to the general public.

Kwe-Biz and similar programs give women, Indigenous peoples and other underrepresented groups access to the tools and support they need to realize their entrepreneurial goals. The Government of Canada continues to invest in programs like the WE-CAN Project led by Queen’s University through the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy, to support inspiring entrepreneurs like Pamela Devonshire.

Artisanal ice cream maker Udderly Ridiculous featured in new video by CF Western Ontario
Artisanal ice cream maker Udderly Ridiculous featured in new video by CF Western Ontario

Artisanal ice cream maker Udderly Ridiculous featured in new video by CF Western Ontario

Udderly Ridiculous is a gourmet goat milk ice cream maker operating out of a family farm in Oxford County, Ontario. Owners Cheryl and Greg Haskett devised the idea of ice cream production in 2015 while writing a business plan on how to modernize their 185-acre farm and expand beyond producing primary ingredients. In 2019, Udderly Ridiculous was launched and although they had some immediate success, the pandemic created significant challenges for a new product. In 2019, with the support of a FedDev Ontario contribution through the Tourism Relief Fund, the Hasketts improved and added to existing facilities to launch their own farm market store and experiential tourism offerings. These changes enabled them to realize a dream of bringing education about farming, food systems and food security to the public in a fun and engaging way, while supporting the protection and development of their brand.

Community Futures Western Ontario recently published a video interview with Udderly Ridiculous’s Cheryl Haskett where she discusses the challenges and rewarding aspects of being an entrepreneur in the food sector. Click here to watch the full interview.

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Social media highlights

Our contribution of $2.7 million is helping them develop unique experiences and enhance their offerings to attract visitors, strengthen their communities and contribute to a growing local economy.

@culinarytourismalliance
@maple.leaf.tours
@edgeofwalton
@kppconcerts and @bluegables
are just a few examples of the many exciting tourism initiatives spearheaded by phenomenal women across #southON.

The award honours dynamic personalities who demonstrate exemplary leadership, innovation and a positive impact on their business and community.  

FedDev Ontario invested more than $3 million in LatAm, a non-profit accelerator in Toronto, to partner with regional economic development organizations to help international entrepreneurs start and grow their business in southern Ontario. The project will support 100 new international businesses, create 180 jobs and generate $50 million in revenues. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/g5CvKr2S #leadership #entrepreneur

 

The company’s product supports clean tech in the food packaging sector by reducing the use and environmental footprint of disposable containers.

FedDev Ontario provided Friendlier with $500,000 to standardize its reusable takeout container system, now used by more than 200 businesses across Canada. The investment will accelerate the company’s growth and support a circular economy, while reducing single-use plastic waste and building a cleaner, stronger economy for all.
http://ow.ly/bVlL50Nppyc

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Upcoming Events

Event September 12

April 4

2023 Environment and Cleantech Business + Policy Forum (Toronto)

This annual event will explore common policy challenges and growth opportunities in Ontario's cleantech sector. Attended by over 150 leaders in government and cleantech, this year's focus is on how to keep Ontario competitive on the path to Net Zero. Activities include a keynote address, expert panel discussion, and off-the record roundtable talks with Ministry policy staff on PFAS, energy, water technology, brownfields, excess soils, environmental infrastructure, resource recovery/waste, red tape reduction, and Bill 23.

Event September 12

April 26-28

2023 Annual OSUM Conference and Trade Show (Brant County)

Last held in 2019, the OSUM Conference draws close to 250 municipal leaders from across Ontario to examine and address issues relevant in small urban municipalities. This year's theme is Springtime in Paris.

Event September 12

April 27

Canada Growth Summit 2023: Standing Strong Globally (Toronto)

Convenes leaders from industry, government, academia and civil society to discuss Canada’s leadership and partnerships on the global stage in areas of talent, AI, quantum, battery storage, life sciences, minerals, energy, etc.

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