Southern Ontario Spotlight

The Government of Canada is committed to addressing the barriers to success faced by many Black entrepreneurs, and prioritizes projects that invest in the potential of Black Canadians.

On February 21, at the University of Toronto Scarborough campus, FedDev Ontario Minister Filomena Tassi met with key stakeholders from the surrounding region for a roundtable discussion. The Minister and MP Anandasangaree spoke with local stakeholders about challenges facing Black entrepreneurs and Black-owned businesses, and their plans for growth, recovery, collaboration and collective action. Participants included representatives from the Black Business and Professional Association, the Canadian Black Chamber of Commerce, Blacks in Technology, and more. The discussion covered a wide-range of topics related to Black entrepreneurs, including: top challenges faced in starting and growing a business, current gaps in the innovation ecosystem, and ways we can all work together to support Black-owned businesses in southern Ontario.

Later that day, Minister Tassi announced an investment of over $1.3 million for the Federation of Black Canadians (FBC), delivered through the Black Entrepreneurship Program (BEP) Ecosystem Fund. The FBC will use this investment to provide tools and resources to 170 Black youth entrepreneurs across multiple regions, including the Greater Toronto Area, Montréal and Edmonton, supporting them to successfully launch and grow their businesses. In partnership with U of T Scarborough’s The BRIDGE, FBC will develop and deliver a four-month entrepreneurial program focused on business planning, finance, risk management, legislation and commercialization and a 12-month mentorship program with leaders from the Black community, focused on managing debt, technology, brand and business development, stress and mental health. This investment will support the creation of 70 full-time jobs in the Greater Toronto Area.

“We are truly thankful for the opportunity to support young Black entrepreneurs through this funding provided by the Government of Canada through FedDev Ontario. This project speaks directly to our Economic Security Pillar and allows us to further inspire the current and next generation of entrepreneurs. Through our partnership with University of Toronto Scarborough, The Bridge and the Black Founders Network, participants will gain access to passionate facilitators and mentors, as well as a greater understanding of what it means to be an entrepreneur and what goes into developing a business.”

– Christopher Thompson, Executive Director, Federation of Black Canadians

FedDev Ontario has provided over $50 million for 23 Black-led not-for-profit organizations through the BEP Ecosystem Fund in southern Ontario. These investments play a crucial role for so many small businesses across southern Ontario as they provide the means necessary to help them to grow.

The Canadian International AutoShow has been Canada’s largest celebration of the automobile industry for 50 years, welcoming more than 330,000 visitors annually. The show recently returned from a two-year hiatus and brought together manufacturers, part suppliers, auto enthusiasts and experts from across Canada to share the latest innovations in the automotive sector.

On February 16, Minister Tassi joined fellow ministers and representatives from Canadian auto manufacturers and retailers at the Canadian International AutoShow to celebrate the Canadian unveiling of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association (APMA) Project Arrow concept vehicle. The first Canadian-made zero-emissions vehicle of its kind, Project Arrow is a collaboration between over 50 Canadian manufacturers who lent expertise and parts to the project, and is an example of the power of innovative thinking and Canadian manufacturing excellence. Minister Tassi also announced an investment of $1.5 million for Myant Inc., which provided knitted sensors and actuators into the fabric of Project Arrow’s steering wheel, enabling it to measure vital signs and display readings to warn of any potential medical situation. The funding will help Myant Inc. scale-up in the wearables tech market, notably to support the expansion of their Health Digital Platform in Canadian, United States, and United Kingdom markets, and will create 15 jobs. Lastly, the Minister visited the new Electric Vehicle (EV) exhibit, Electric City, which was supported with a repayable investment of $500,000 through the Tourism Relief Fund.

“In 2019, the Prime Minister dared us to imagine Canada’s net zero mobility future.  Through the generous support of partners like FedDev Ontario, we were able to prove that Canada can offer a complete, globally relevant mobility solution to the world.”

– Flavio Volpe, President, Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association

In 2021, the APMA received a $5-million FedDev Ontario investment to support the creation of Project Arrow. This month’s unveiling represents the culmination of two years of dedication, expertise, and remarkable collaborative efforts on behalf of Canada’s automobility manufacturing sector.

The corridor between Toronto and Montreal is home to more than 1.7 million people, with world-class educational institutions and diverse businesses in a variety of sectors, from tourism to manufacturing and beyond.

On February 13 in Vars, Minister Tassi visited Les Ateliers Beau-Roc (Beau-Roc), a woman-owned and led Francophone manufacturer of custom-built dump truck bodies and accessories. As part of her tour, the Minister was able to speak to the workers on the floor and let them know that FedDev Ontario will be investing $4.1 million in Beau-Roc to support the purchase and installation of new manufacturing equipment to boost production of the company’s Multi-Purpose Heavy Duty (MPHD) & Stainless Steel dump truck bodies. This announcement was part of a larger investment of more than $16.5 million towards the growth of Eastern Ontario’s economy, with support for three manufacturers (including Beau-Roc) and 27 tourism and community projects in the region. These projects will help local businesses to scale up, create and rejuvenate community spaces, and enhance tourism attractions to welcome more visitors, create over 150 jobs, and build stronger, more vibrant communities.

Rural communities across Ontario are home to businesses and organizations that have a major impact on Canada’s economy. Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs) deliver regionally-tailored business programs and services to support community economic development and small business growth, and are each governed by a volunteer board of directors, made up of local residents representing the community. FedDev Ontario provides support for CFDCs across southern Ontario through the Community Futures Program.

On February 13, Minister Tassi visited Family-owned Brasserie Tuque de Broue Brewery Inc. in Embrun, which received support through the Prescott-Russell CFDC to grow its facilities and generate more business. While there, Minister Tassi announced an investment of nearly $40 million over the next three years for southern Ontario’s trusted network of CFDCs, delivered through the Community Futures Program. This investment will allow 36 CFDCs and three CFDC associations in southern Ontario to continue to offer expert knowledge and tailored on-the-ground support to the rural businesses, organizations and communities they serve. This includes providing business counselling and access to capital, as well as support for community economic development and strategic community economic planning.

“When we opened the brewery eight years ago, we were met with tremendous demand and our growth through various markets was acute. Working closely with our local CFDC office we were able to purchase additional equipment and hire a qualified workforce to respond to the demand and meet our sales goals. Over the years and as programs open up we have been able to access additional financing and grants to help with our continued success.”

– Nicolas Malboeuf, Owner, Brasserie Tuque de Broue Brewery Inc.

To find your local Community Futures organization, or for more information on the services and support they offer, visit the Community Futures Ontario website.