Southern Ontario Spotlight

FedDev Ontario recently launched a new process that is easier and more predictable for clients. Applications will be accepted in the fall, winter and spring. The fall intake is open until November 7. Funding is available for businesses to grow, innovate, and diversify so they can launch new products, compete in a changing marketplace, or reach new customers. Not-for-profit and community economic development organizations can also apply for funding to support businesses, grow economic networks, and strengthen the economic resilience of our communities. Further information on the types of projects that are eligible to receive funding, can be found on FedDev Ontario's website.

Applications are also being accepted for the Economic Development Initiative (EDI), for entrepreneurs and businesses in Francophone communities. Part of Canada's Action Plan for Official Languages 2023-2028: Protection-Promotion-Collaboration, EDI helps address economic challenges and builds on the strengths of each region to facilitate growth in official language minority communities.

For additional information about FedDev Ontario and the supports available for businesses and organizations, please visit the website, call 1-866-593-5505 or email at info@feddevontario.gc.ca. Indigenous businesses and organizations are encouraged to contact the Agency’s dedicated team at indigenous-autochtones@feddevontario.gc.ca or 1-877-553-5507 for help with navigating available programming and services.

In Kitchener, electric vehicle (EV) component manufacturer Kuntz Electroplating Inc. (KEI) received a $3-million Government of Canada investment to strengthen its manufacturing capabilities. This strategic investment not only accelerates Canada's role in the burgeoning EV sector but also sets a precedent for environmentally-responsible manufacturing practices. Further west, in Windsor-Essex, the Government of Canada is providing crucial support to the electric vehicle sector through a $200,000-investment for Invest WindsorEssex (IWE) help prepare 120 southern Ontario businesses to participate in the growing EV market through eight new training workshops. This boost will not only foster innovation and growth within the industry but also solidify Canada's position as a leader in the global EV market.

In London, FedDev Ontario Minister Filomena Tassi announced a $300,000-investment for the London Economic Development Corporation (LEDC) to support the long-term growth of the EV sector in the region. The shift towards electric vehicle and battery manufacturing is opening up many new opportunities for existing suppliers to meet the demand for essential parts and technologies, and LEDC will use this investment to expand its collaboration with Volkswagen’s suppliers in Germany and Spain. Through this strategic alliance, it is expected that up to 120 companies and organizations will be able to join VW’s global supply chains for battery manufacturing, and up to 25 new partnerships will be developed to attract additional investments from European suppliers into the region’s EV sector.

The Regional Municipality of Niagara (Niagara Region) also received a $300,000-investment to accelerate the growth of its EV sector, where it will develop an EV strategy focused on building partnerships, developing necessary infrastructure, connecting industry leaders and post-secondary institutions, and enabling Niagara Region representation at industry events. This investment is expected to support over 50 regional businesses and organizations and establish up to five new partnerships to ensure that the region has the opportunity to contribute to this growing and important sector.

The Government of Canada is also bolstering domestic manufacturing, with a particular focus on the EV and semiconductor supply chain. Minister Tassi announced an investment of nearly $4 million for FBT Inc. a family-owned advanced manufacturer of precision machine components and parts used in critical sectors such as automotive, defence, EV, semi-conductor, power generation and more. FBT plans to upgrade its facility to meet demand from both new and existing clients, increasing its machine components and parts production by 75 percent and creating 40 skilled jobs.

Over the summer months, FedDev Ontario’s Minister Filomena Tassi made stops in several communities across southern Ontario to announce a number of key investments aimed at strengthening the region’s capacity for innovation and sustainability. She also met with community leaders and economic development stakeholders to discuss local potential, challenges and possibilities.

Brantford-based Lintec Label and Print Solutions (Lintec), a manufacturer of labels for the food and beverage, household and personal care markets, received a $1-million FedDev Ontario investment to undertake facility improvements, upskill current employees, respond to the growing demand for standard and environmentally-sustainable solutions, and create eight new jobs in the community.

In London, FedDev Ontario is supporting the growth of pharmaceutical company ANVO Laboratories (ANVO Labs) with a $4-million investment to accelerate production of high-quality affordable, domestic medications for gastrointestinal, diabetes, cardiovascular, and neurological diseases to Canadians and more globally. This investment will support ANVO Labs as it equips and staffs its new 62,000-sq.ft global headquarters and will also assist in attracting and developing a highly-skilled health sciences workforce to strengthen Canada’s healthcare system.

In Toronto, Minister Tassi announced nearly $6.2 million towards the scale-up and growth of five GTA tech companies: Aux Mode Inc. (AMI), Creyos Health, Manifest Climate Inc., Semantic Health Inc., and ThinkData Works Inc. The support will allow these companies to offer innovative digital solutions, support businesses in greening their operations and contribute to improved healthcare delivery, and will also support the creation of over 70 skilled jobs across the GTA. The Government of Canada is also championing newcomer entrepreneurs through an investment of nearly $3.3 million for Toronto Business Development Centre (TBDC) to provide support to 100 new Canadian entrepreneurs as they seek to start and grow their companies in southern Ontario. By supporting business innovation, the government is empowering a new wave to bring fresh perspectives and ideas to the Canadian business landscape. This investment not only fosters economic growth but also cultivates a vibrant and inclusive entrepreneurial community.

“Toronto Business Development Centre (TBDC) is providing critical support and services for newcomer entrepreneurs in Ontario. We are making smart investments in strong partner organizations like TBDC to ensure that newcomers have opportunities to grow their businesses and contribute to their communities. Our Government believes in investing in people, investing in their potential, and investing in the endless possibilities available for Canadians.”

– The Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario

Sustainable printing company Simpson Print received $1.3 million to allow the company to future-proof its Bloomingdale facility by adding new digital technologies, including new greening features and processes, such as UV LED Curing. The company will also reduce its use of hazardous chemicals, improve its carbon footprint, and support the recycling of 100 percent of its waste, while adding 15 new full-time jobs.

Manufacturing is a cornerstone of the southern Ontario economy and a driver of good paying jobs across the region. On September 8, FedDev Ontario announced over $4.7 million for Brampton-based A. Berger Precision Ltd. (A. Berger) to increase domestic production and create 15 jobs in machine operating and engineering. An advanced manufacturer that specializes in high-precision milled and machined components for sectors from automotive to aerospace and defence, A. Berger Precision Ltd. will leverage this investment to adopt new technologies to increase made-in-Canada production of larger and more complex parts to strengthen the company’s footprint in North America. This investment will also help the company improve its research and development capacity, contributing to future improvements to its operations such as reducing production downtimes, increasing tooling life and decreasing quality defects.

Minister Tassi also led roundtables, site visits, and meetings with a range of stakeholders throughout the region. Topics included: innovation and technology, support for high-growth sectors, access to capital and funding for ecosystems, workforce development, immigration, diversity and inclusion, entrepreneurship and infrastructure. Minister Tassi spoke with community and business leaders about the need to foster conditions for growth to realize the region’s potential, and where existing strengths lie vs. where additional supports from the Government of Canada may be required.

Through open dialogue and strategic investments across various industries, the Government of Canada is propelling the region towards a more sustainable and innovative future. From pharmaceuticals to advanced manufacturing, and from technology to printing, these engagements are not only driving economic growth but also shaping a greener, more inclusive, and forward-thinking Canada.

The Government of Canada is committed to supporting Indigenous communities across Canada to strengthen relationships and create new opportunities, and Indigenous businesses, entrepreneurs and organizations are an important part of growing southern Ontario’s economy and creating good jobs.

On September 8, FedDev Ontario announced an investment of over $1.6 million for two Indigenous-led businesses, eSupply Canada and Biskane Inc., to grow and diversify their operations. eSupply Canada, an Indigenous-owned online distributor of office, janitorial, and small-scale industrial supplies, received more than $1.1 million to improve its online e-commerce platform so it can better support Indigenous businesses and entrepreneurs across Canada, and will add 8 new jobs to its organization. Biskane Inc., an Indigenous-led company that provides e-commerce support for Indigenous artists and vendors to market their arts, crafts, and products, received an investment of up to $500,000 to develop an online platform for supply chain management and mobile authentication to help onboard Indigenous businesses. The company will also collaborate with Indigenous social media influencers to increase the visibility of its Indigenous marketplace, products, and supply chain. The investment is expected to create 7 new jobs.

“Through the support of FedDev Ontario, we can leverage our technology and supply chain to develop a platform that allows Indigenous entrepreneurs to effortlessly start their own e-commerce business, one with national reach and economies of scale to compete with big box retailers. With our platform, Indigenous peoples will be better equipped to take full advantage of the government's and industry's commitments to economic reconciliation and supply chain diversity.”

- Steven Vanloffeld, Founder and CEO, eSupply Canada

FedDev Ontario has a dedicated team and resources to help guide Indigenous-owned businesses and organizations in southern Ontario on programming and services available to them. Interested Indigenous-led businesses, organizations and entrepreneurs are encouraged to visit FedDev Ontario’s new webpage and contact the Agency at indigenous-autochtones@feddevontario.gc.ca or 1-877-553-5507 to learn more about government funding and support available to help them reach their potential, and achieve their goals.

The Government of Canada continues to prioritize the move towards a net-zero future by focusing on investments and support for green products and clean, sustainable technology.

FedDev Ontario announced two new investments that will lead to a cleaner, healthier environment. Orillia-based EcoPoly Properties Inc. (EcoPoly) received a $5-million investment to scale its Canadian-made, recyclable and biodegradable plastic products for the agricultural and food services sector. This investment will help the company adopt new, automated, high-speed manufacturing equipment to increase production, especially of its larger, biodegradable trash liners used by food service and agricultural firms. These improvements will significantly reduce CO2 emissions in the manufacturing process, as well as create new market growth opportunities in Canada and the U.S.

Hydrogen Optimized Inc. (HOI), a producer of clean hydrogen through patented, cutting-edge Canadian technology called RuggedCell™, received an investment of over $3.5-million to adopt new advanced manufacturing equipment as it expands production capacity by five times its current output. HOI’s RuggedCell™ electrolyser produces green hydrogen using electricity generated from renewable sources like wind, solar, and hydro, and supports the decarbonization of major industries such as steel, ammonia, and cement. The investment will also help the company to secure its first large sales contract and expand its production capacity to meet the growing demand for green hydrogen for several industries, positioning it as a key manufacturer in Owen Sound and Ontario.

“We are proud to be a Canadian company that has been innovating and growing since our founding in 1991. The support we have received from FedDev Ontario has been instrumental in the implementation of the next phase of our growth. The timing could not have been better and the entire process with FedDev Ontario has been tremendous from the beginning.”

- Derek Rynard, Chief Executive Officer, EcoPoly Solutions