Canadian gov’t invests $712,572 in business centre supporting Northern Ontario Indigenous entrepreneurs

FedNor, the Canadian government’s economic development organization for Northern Ontario, is investing $863,000 in three Manitoulin Island First Nations projects, according to the Manitoulin Expositer.

$712,572 of the funding will be invested in M’Chigeeng First Nation “to assist Indigenous entrepreneurs in M’Chigeeng First Nation develop and grow their businesses,” according to Nickel Belt MP Marc Serré. Serré made the announcement on behalf of Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development. The funding will go towards the operations of the business centre, and a pharmacy and grocery store will be opened by community members within the centre.

“The funding announced today supports key infrastructure and business initiatives that contribute to the immediate and long-term social and economic growth of Northern Ontario’s Indigenous communities,” said Serré during the announcement at the Kenjgewin Teg Educational Institute in M’Chigeeng. “By investing in these priority projects, our government is contributing to improve the quality of life for hardworking Canadians families, while helping to preserve, protect and promote the region’s Indigenous culture.”