Industry Canada and the Industry Portfolio have various agencies and initiatives that promote economic development, jobs, investments and infrastructure in communities right across Canada.
The Canada-Ontario Infrastructure Program, which began in 2000, represents a $680.7-million federal investment in partnership with Ontario, its local governments, and the private sector. The program's purpose is to invest in urban and rural municipal infrastructure in Ontario. The program's top priority is “green” municipal infrastructure, with the balance of investments focusing on health, safety, sports, culture, tourism and innovation.
The Canada-Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (COMRIF) is a federal–provincial–municipal program with the aim of improving and renewing municipal infrastructure across Ontario. It is designed to respond to the infrastructure needs of small urban centres and rural municipalities with populations of less than 250 000. Industry Canada is one of the partners of this five-year program, which was launched on November 15, 2004. COMRIF responds to local needs and priorities by helping to provide cleaner water, better sewage systems, upgraded waste management processes, and safer roads and bridges. The overall aim is to support “green” projects that meet Canada’s and Ontario’s environmental objectives, while improving the health and safety of Ontario residents.
Pan Canadian Community Futures Network
Community Futures is a community-led initiative, assisting communities in rural Canada to develop and implement strategies to deal with economic change. Community Futures Development Corporations / Community Business Development Corporations (CFDCs/CBDCs) provide communities with a variety of services including development loans, technical support and community economic development (CED) projects.
Pan Canadian Community Futures is a gateway to nearly 300 CED centres across Canada and can be navigated by province or territory to find out about the programs and services provided by CFDCs and CBDCs.
The Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern and rural Ontario (FedNor) is responsible for promoting economic growth, diversification and job creation and sustainable, self-reliant communities in Northern Ontario, by working with community partners and other organizations to improve small business access to capital, information and markets.
Additional Resources
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