THUNDER BAY – Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, was across the riding this week.
On Wednesday, the Minister was at the Matawa First Nations Annual General Meeting, as well as a stop at the newly created Animbiigoo Zaagi igan Anishinaabek 0r Lake Nipigon First Nation.
At the newly created Animbiigoo Zaagi igan Anishinaabek, the Minister was on hand for the Elder’s Week and to discover what the new community of under 500 members will need. Chief Theresa Nelson and her councillors meet with both Minister Hajdu as well as Ontario Regional Chief Isadore Day.
On Thursday the Minister made a FEDNOR announcement in Greenstone.
Entrepreneurs looking to start a business or take their existing businesses to the next level will find the support they need at the Greenstone Economic Development Corporation (GEDC), a federally funded, not-for-profit organization dedicated to small business growth and community economic development.
Business planning, counselling and referral, and access to capital are just a few of the services being offered by the GEDC thanks to a Government of Canada investment of more than $1 million over three years.
Michel “Mike” Leclair of Silver Lining Cabinetry Ltd. who has hired seven local people in the last year due to increasing demand.
The funding was announced Thursday by the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, and Member of Parliament for Thunder Bay—Superior North, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for FedNor, the Government of Canada’s economic development organization for Northern Ontario.
“The Government of Canada is focused on helping to build strong and sustainable communities that support a vibrant middle-class. The funding announced today will provide businesses and entrepreneurs in the Greenstone region with the tools they need to innovate, grow, reach new markets and create good-paying jobs that drive our economy forward,” says Minister Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, and Minister responsible for FedNor.
Speaking in Greenstone on behalf of the Minister, MP Patty Hajdu says, “I am proud to be part of a government that recognizes the unique needs of Northwestern Ontario and supports the efforts of communities and businesses to grow and succeed. Small businesses are the backbone of the Canadian economy and our investment in the Greenstone Economic Development Corporation will help strengthen this vital sector throughout the region.”
“Today’s announcement demonstrates the Government of Canada’s confidence in our organization and the work we do to strengthen the economy across our service area. We welcome and appreciate FedNor’s continued support which allows us to work with entrepreneurs, local businesses, and community partners toward sustainable growth and economic prosperity,” comments Frank Hildebrandt, President of the Greenstone Economic Development Corporation.
On Friday Minister Hajdu announced that Teach For Canada will help 158 youth in Thunder Bay and Toronto learn how to work in partnership with northern Indigenous communities, learn Indigenous languages and learn about Canadian history through an Indigenous lens.
The Government of Canada will provide close to $1.6 million in funding for this project through the Career Focus program of the Government’s Youth Employment Strategy (YES) for Teach For Canada’s Youth Career Focus project. Through this project, Teach For Canada will also provide youth with teaching placements in elementary, middle or high schools in Indigenous communities in northern Ontario and give them the support they need to adjust to the environment and learn how to engage with Indigenous communities. In addition, Teach For Canada will provide two years of follow-up support to ensure the teachers hired in these communities have the necessary tools to keep good jobs.
“A good education is essential in breaking the cycle of intergenerational poverty. Helping young Canadians pursue their passion for teaching in Indigenous communities in the north will ensure that communities are healthier and stronger. Giving youth opportunities to find and keep good jobs will help grow our economy and strengthen the middle class,” said Minister Patty Hajdu.
“Too often, teachers arrive in remote Indigenous communities without the preparation and support they need to succeed—and stay—in the classroom. Teach For Canada addresses that gap: we work with northern First Nations communities to recruit, prepare, and support outstanding teachers. This contribution from Employment and Social Development Canada will help us recruit and train over one hundred teachers between 2017-2020,” commented Kyle Hill, Executive Director of Teach For Canada.
“What Teach For Canada and northern First Nations communities are doing is an example of the ongoing reconciliation that we hope to see in this country. Teach For Canada’s work is already having a huge impact in the north, and we are delighted that Employment and Social Development Canada will allow us to expand that impact,” added Cynthia Wesley-Esquimaux, Chair of Truth and Reconciliation at Lakehead University, Director at Teach For Canada.
