Ontario is investing more in its Francophone Economic Development Strategy. The Ford government announced Wednesday that it would increase its funding by 60% compared to last year.
Some $800,000 will thus be paid by Ontario, compared to $500,000 in 2022, to “support French-speaking economic development across the province”.
“We are determined to build a strong Francophonie within a prosperous Ontario,” wrote the Minister of Francophone Affairs, Caroline Mulroney.
Established in 2019 to “promote the economic vitality of French-speaking communities”, the Strategy for Francophone Economic Development aims in particular to “improve access to a qualified bilingual workforce” and to “stimulate job creation “.
Of this $800,000, $500,000 will be intended for organizations supporting French-speaking businesses. The Fédération des gens d’affaires francophones de l’Ontario will thus receive $250,000 to “conduct an in-depth study of the needs of French-speaking businesses and entrepreneurs” and support “women, visible minorities and newcomers”.
The NPO Impact ON will obtain $150,000 “to help four cohorts of women entrepreneurs carry out their projects” and support “two cohorts of first-time exporters” in their access to “interprovincial and international markets”.
Some $100,000 will also be paid to the Ontario Economic Corporation to teach Francophones and new farmers to start businesses.
The additional $300,000 compared to last year will be used to “promote the Ontario Francophonie as an economic asset on a national and international scale,” indicates the government.
This report is supported by the Local Journalism Initiative, funded by the Government of Canada.
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