FedNor investments create jobs for local youth in Northern Ontario

FedNor funding supports youth retention, community strategic planning, business growth and tourism

Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario – FedNor

Providing opportunities for young graduates and connecting organizations and businesses with a skilled and enthusiastic workforce is precisely what a Government of Canada internship initiative is doing in Northern Ontario. Since its inception more than three decades ago, FedNor’s youth internship initiative has helped create 1824 jobs for youth in Northern Ontario.

The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for FedNor, and Member of Parliament for Thunder Bay–Superior North, today announced a Government of Canada investment of $312,500 to create jobs for young Canadians while growing and strengthening Northern Ontario’s economy.

Provided through FedNor’s Northern Ontario Development Program, this funding will support eight separate youth intern initiatives throughout the region designed to create employment and entrepreneurship opportunities, while supporting sustainable economic growth. Specifically, the funding will enable the recipients to hire a youth intern with expertise in a specific field for a one-year period, helping the employer to advance key projects. For the full list of projects, please see Backgrounder.

With backgrounds in science, communications and marketing, the interns’ responsibilities range from assisting with the development of communication tools and social media strategies, strategic plan implementation, market research, and municipal asset inventory and analysis.

Since the start of the pandemic, the Government of Canada has provided more than $7.4 billion specifically to support young Canadians through these difficult times. Budget 2021 went one step further by building on Canada's investments in youth with over $5.7 billion over the next five years to help young Canadians pursue and complete their education, and to create 215,000 new skills development and work opportunities.

Quotes

“Providing talented young graduates with critical work experience in their chosen fields is one of the many ways the Government of Canada is helping to develop our workforce of tomorrow and stem the flow of youth out-migration in Northern Ontario. Through FedNor’s youth internship initiative, we are assisting business and community partners to adapt to the quickly evolving social and economic realities, and supporting efforts to strengthen Northern Ontario’s economy and create good jobs for Northern Ontarians.”

• The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for FedNor, and Member of Parliament for Thunder Bay–Superior North

“We are excited to welcome our business development intern to the team who is assisting us to help complete and execute a marketing plan, modernize business processes and implement post-COVID-19 operating practices. In addition, conducting outreach and fostering partnerships will aid in growing the region’s tourism footprint.”

• Mark Howey, President, Board of Directors, Tri Town Ski Village

Quick facts

• The funding announced today is provided through FedNor’s Northern Ontario Development Program, which supports projects that promote sustainable community economic development, enhance business development and growth, and facilitate innovation.

• Since its inception more than three decades ago, FedNor’s youth internship initiative has helped create 1824 jobs for youth across Northern Ontario.