THUNDER BAY – BUSINESS – The Government of Canada is investing $2 million to help women entrepreneurs, as well as small and medium- sized companies in Northern Ontario. The funding will allow them to get the skills training they need to raise the venture capital they need to expand their businesses. Organizations that will benefit from this announcement include the PARO Centre for Women’s Enterprise and the Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre.
The Government of Ontario is also supporting PARO’s Women’s Enterprise Initiative with a $100,000 investment through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation.
The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, and Minister responsible for FedNor, made the announcement today alongside the Honourable Michael Gravelle, Ontario’s Minister of Northern Development and Mines and Chair of the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation. The two projects receiving funding will focus on empowering women, strengthening the development of small businesses, enhancing innovation and increasing employment opportunities throughout the region.
“The Government of Canada recognizes that investments to help women start and grow their own businesses create job opportunities for Northern Ontarians. By providing the resources and training that entrepreneurs need, our Government can help them achieve their business goals. These initiatives will strengthen the regional economy,” stated The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, and Minister responsible for FedNor.
“We are grateful for the Government of Canada’s continued faith in our abilities and support for our programs. We look forward to building on our past successes, energized that we will exceed expectations by providing women with the confidence, skills and resources they need to succeed in today’s global economy,” enthused Rosalind Lockyer, Executive Director, PARO Centre for Women’s Enterprise.
“I am proud of FedNor’s longstanding partnership with the PARO Centre for Women’s Enterprise, whose record of success in helping women entrepreneurs realize their business dreams is nothing short of impressive. Increasing the knowledge and skills of all women business owners, including those who are Indigenous, Francophone, new immigrants or young, will help them grow their companies and increase profitability,” stated The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Status of Women and Member of Parliament for Thunder Bay—Superior North.
“Our government is proud to support PARO’s Women’s Enterprise Initiative through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation. This investment will help PARO prepare female entrepreneurs across Northwestern Ontario with the resources they need to successfully develop and grow their businesses,” said Michael Gravelle, Miniser of Northern Development and Mines, Chair of the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Coportaion and Member of Provincial Parliament for Thunder Bay-Superior North.
“The Next Level program offered through the Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre will not only help new businesses secure market access for their innovative developments, but also assist existing businesses to undertake new marketing techniques to expand sales opportunities and grow their operations,” added Don Rusnak, Member of Parliament for Thunder Bay—Rainy River.
