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Northern Ontario open for business

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Northwestern Ontario businesses are networking and building partnerships after Wednesday’s Prosperity Northwest conference at the Valhalla Hotel.

The annual trade show is a collaboration between the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce and Anishnawbe Business Professional Association.

Chamber of Commerce President Charla Robinson says there are major economic opportunities on the horizon in the region.

“All industries are going through massive transformation and innovation,” Robinson said. “That’s sort of changing the way business is operating, particularly in mining and forestry. There’s a lot of new technology which opens it up for new suppliers and sources.”

Keynote speakers shared advice for accessing federal procurement opportunities after Canada increased their defence budget this year. An update on the ongoing lithium refinement project was also provided.

Robinson says the conference is important for business leaders to meet the right people, expand their enterprises and ultimately grow the economy.

“The first thing is you need to know who to talk to, and you need to know where the start of the pathway is,” Robinson said. “We’ve got the Innovation Centre, we’ve got the CEDC (Community Economic Development Centre), we’ve got FedNor (Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario). They’re all represented here.”

Founding member Jason Thompson says there was a “buzz in the room” at Prosperity Northwest this year (Jacob Henriksen-Willis/January 28 2026)

Founding member Jason Thompson says the conference is a great way for Indigenous-lead businesses to broaden their reach.

“I’ve always said our people are not anti-development,” Thompson said. “This conference is a great catalyst for getting out here, actively participating, meeting different people, and seeing where the opportunities lie.”

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FedNor will invest into defence industry for northern Ontario

The Government of Canada is pledging $357 million towards a new Regional Defence Investment Initiative.

The program aims to help small and medium-sized Canadian businesses enter industries relating to defence and military procurement.

The Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario (FedNor) will be spending almost $16 million over the next three years to assist businesses in northern Ontario with transitioning or adapting into the industries.

Businesses can apply for investments from the initiative to enter fields including research and innovation, and domestic supply chain development.

This announcement comes as the Canadian government looks to increase its military spending to meet NATO targets.

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Millions For Med-Tech & Innovation in Thunder Bay

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Medical technology and innovation projects are getting a big financial boost from the federal government.

Minister for FedNor & Minister of Indigenous Services, Patty Hadju, announced that Ottawa will be investing $2.32 million into this sector.

The Radiopharmacy/Cyclotron facility at TBRHSC will be getting $1.2 million, plus an additional $684, 110 to upgrade an renovate the medical imaging suite.

Isotopes that are created here in Thunder Bay will be able to directly help patients that visit the region, as well as allow for the opportunity to ship them outside of the Thunder Bay district.

Lake Superior Centre for Regenerative Medicine will be getting $412,661 to invest.

The money will go a long way to buy and install a patented acellular dermal matrix product that will help numerous patients to improve their health outcomes for diabetes and other chronic wound and burn patients.

With the technology that’s patented here in Thunder Bay, allows for donated skin to be striped of it’s DNA/RNA and used for patients who have recurring wounds, burn victims, or with stubborn wounds that refuse to heal without intervention.

Packages of skin grafts ready for applications. With a shelf life of 3 years, they can be applied at a nurses station or doctors office. No surgical suite needed.

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FedNor Becomes Stand-Alone Agency

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The Federal Government is making FedNor a stand-alone agency.

Municipal leaders across the north have long called for the move to give them greater independence to funding requests.

Terry Sheehan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister responsible for FedNor, says the government is responding.

“Stakeholders told us that FedNor needed more independence and local decision making to ensure it could better respond to the region’s economic development needs, and that’s what we’re doing here today.”

Nipissing-Timiskaming MPP Anthony Rota says it will better respond to the needs of the area.

“We do not have to rely on Ottawa to tell us ‘well this is how you’re going to do it’. We have guidelines like the other RDA (regional development agencies) in the country, but we can make those decisions that reflect us.

The switch from a government program to a separate agency also comes with a larger budget.

The regional development program was first created in 1987, operating under various ministries until now.

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More Money For Northern Businesses

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The Canadian government is injecting more money into the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario.

FedNor is one of five regional development agencies sharing $600 million.

Economic Development Minister Melanie Joly says the money will flow through the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund to help businesses cope with COVID-19.

The funding will help address economic development, diversification and job creation in our region.

Joly says “Many tourism businesses from hotels, restaurants and travel agencies as they are going through a really difficult time.”

She adds the government has heard the concerns of businesses and workers.

Northern Ontario’s share is $6-million.

For more information visit http://fednor.gc.ca/eic/site/fednor-fednor.nsf/eng/h_fn00804.html

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Dryden’s Cloverbelt Receiving Federal Cash

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FedNor is giving a boost to the agriculture industry in northern Ontario.

Thirteen different projects will share more than $3 million.

The Cloverbelt Country Meats Cooperative in Dryden is getting $150,000.

The money will be used to upgrade the abattoir to make it more competitive, reduce energy costs, and increase production.

Terry Sheehan, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Economic Development says the ag sector has been hit hard by COVID-19.

“The government of Canada recognizes the importance of the agricultural sector across the region and indeed across Canada. That is why today’s announcement is supporting jobs and growth across the sector while improving access to capital for producers.”

Sheehan notes “These investments will help farmers and producers boost profits with new, modern equipment with value added products, while increasing exports and expanding it to new markets.”

He adds “They will open up more opportunities for young people to pursue a future in agriculture through the hiring of interns and providing young farmers across the region with access to mentorship and other special assistance.”

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FedNor Funds Supporting Northern Indigenous Projects

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The federal government is spending more than $13 million to support 22 Indigenous projects across northern Ontario.

The Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund is getting $4,910,020 in FedNor cash to enhance business development and growth, including youth entrepreneurship, in area First Nations communities.

The Fund is also receiving $320,000 in one-year operational funding.

Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation is getting $214,000 to conduct a feasibility study to determine the viability of converting band-owned buildings, operations and businesses with bio-mass thermal heat, using existing resources.

Webequie First Nation will use $546,000 to construct a Community Readiness and Wellness Centre.

Wunnumin Lake First Nation is welcoming $83,644 to complete a feasibility study related to food and economic security.

The Seven Generations Education Institute is receiving $1,000,000 to install new technology and improve the virtual classroom program at its main campus as well as four satellite campuses.

The Ojibway Nation of Saugeen is also getting $1,000,000 for the development of a multi-use cultural and events centre.

The government is spending $44,325 to help officials in Nibinamik First Nation develop a comprehensive community economic development strategy.

FedNor Minister Melanie Joly says “True reconciliation means supporting Indigenous communities and businesses by providing opportunities for their success. This investment will do just that-helping Indigenous business people to seize opportunities, helping Indigenous organizations deliver important local projects and supporting Indigenous communities on their path to self-sufficiency and prosperity. I’m excited to see the difference that this investment will make for Indigenous communities across Northern Ontario.”

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FedNor Supporting Young Worker Initiatives

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Two regional organizations are receiving FedNor funding to help support young workers.

The Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre is getting 366-thousand dollars to enhance its “Youth Effect” project.

The three-year initiative is designed to provide entrepreneurial youth with a 15-week learning and training placement with an innovative business.

The Northern Policy Institute is receiving more than 31-grand to hire a youth intern to track immigration assets and growth across Northern Ontario.

One community in the Kenora district is also benefiting from FedNor funding to support youth entrepreneurs.

Pikangikum First Nation is getting 272-thousand dollars to expand its Youth Sawmill Program.

It provides essential work experience for youth while increasing productivity at the local sawmill.

The federal government is spending 3.9 million to expand entrepreneurial opportunities and create more jobs for Northern Ontario youth.

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FedNor Encouraging Applications For Recovery Program

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The COVID-19 Regional Relief and Recovery Fund from FedNor is almost a month old.

Local Initiatives Officer Brent Lundy admits uptake for the program has been fairly light so far, but the amounts requested by camp operators have been large.

“Tourism for us has been, I think, the largest sector that’s been impacted. And I know personally any of the relief applications that I have dealt with so far have all been of the tourism sector, specifically hunting and fishing lodges.”

Loans of up to $250,000 will be approved through the on-line program and Lundy expects they will have the money flowing by the end of June.

Lundy says compared to their usual loans and grants programs, this is actually pretty easy to access.

“We’ve tried to make the application process as streamlined as possible as well as the due diligence process. We are not following our regular due diligence process which can be cumbersome and time consuming.”

 

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Federal Support For Regional Communities And Tourism

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The Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario is supporting 36 regional initiatives with $7.6-million.

The money will allow municipalities to complete essential work to improve their community as well as assist organizations with tourism campaigns over the summer.

The Municipality of Red Lake is receiving nearly $74,000 to complete the design and construction plans for a new Regional Events Centre.

The Friends of White Otter Castle is welcoming more than $185,000 to complete essential restorations and upgrades to the White Otter Castle, south of Ignace.

The City of Kenora is getting $1-million to launch Phase 4 of the communities downtown revitalization strategy.

The FedNor investment includes over $1 million in Destination Marketing Organization assistance to support seven projects designed to position the region as an attractive travel destination and dynamic place to live and work.

Tourism Northern Ontario is receiving $50,000 to launch an Experience Fishing Program, a three-year pilot project designed to train lodge-based tourism operators to attract and service new clients.

Indigenous Tourism Ontario is getting $200,000 to implement a Northern Ontario Indigenous Culinary Tourism Strategy.

Here is a breakdown on some of the regional funding:

Kenora
City of Kenora $1,000,000
Launch Phase IV of the community’s downtown revitalization strategy.

Municipality of Red Lake $73,900
Complete Class A engineered drawings, design development, construction plans, and Leadership Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) accreditation services for Regional Events Centre.

Thunder Bay/Rainy River
Atikokan EDC $185,000
Purchase a custom-designed mobile event stage to create tourism opportunities throughout the Atikokan region.

Atikokan EDC $81,900
Implement the Tourism Atikokan Marketing Plan that includes updated highway signage, print and video materials.

Atikokan EDC $171,900
Hire a community economic development officer for a three-year period to support community and regional development initiatives in the Atikokan region.

Cushing Lake Resort $90,000
Support the expansion of the Cushing Lake Resort, which includes installing a new water filtration system, docks, electrical upgrades and safety enhancements.

Friends Of White Otter Castle $185,310
Complete essential restorations and upgrades to White Otter Castle.

Rainy River Future Development Corporation $55,000
Develop a tourism marketing plan for the region.

Township of Conmee $146,000
Support the construction of an outdoor tourism facility.

Upsala Local Service Board $21,200
Implementation of a new branding and marketing strategy.

Thunder Bay/Superior North
City of Thunder Bay $750,000
Infrastructure to support the development of Prince Arthur’s Landing Phase 2 Cultural Campus on the Thunder Bay Waterfront.

Destination Marketing Organization Initiatives
Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada $250,082
Market preparedness and brand development for Destination Indigenous.

Indigenous Tourism Ontario $200,000
Implement Northern Ontario Indigenous Culinary Tourism Strategy.

North of Superior Tourism Association Inc. $60,708
Develop the Lake Superior Circle Tour website and mobile app.

North of Superior Tourism Association Inc. $328,409
Hire a coordinator for a three-year period to implement the Lake Superior North Shore Tourism Strategy.

Tourism Industry Association of Canada $124,980
Coordinate and host the Canadian Experiences Rural Summit in Northern Ontario.

Tourism Northern Ontario $50,000
Launch the Experience Fishing Program, a three-year pilot project designed to train lodge-based tourism operators to attract and service new market segments.

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