OTTAWA – “I am incredibly pleased to see our government continue the great foundational work we’ve been doing for Northwestern Ontario and all of Canada in Budget 2018 so that everyone has an equal and fair chance at success. This focus on equality will also help grow our economy, including right here in Northwestern Ontario. In particular, I look forward to the economic development in our region from better broadband access, increased funding to FedNor and the new Indigenous Skills and Employment Training Program,” says the Hon. Patty Hajdu, Member of Parliament for Thunder Bay-Superior North.
“Making sure every Canadian has an equal and fair chance at success is not just the right thing to do, it’s the smart thing to do. Northwestern Ontario and Canada’s future prosperity depend on it,” adds the Minister.
Equality + Growth: A Strong Middle Class – supports the Government’s people-centered approach. Tabled today by Minister of Finance Bill Morneau, Budget 2018 is guided by a new Gender Results Framework and proposes measures to ensure that every Canadian has a real and fair chance at success. With Budget 2018, our government is also taking the next steps towards building an equal, competitive, sustainable, and fair Canada – where science, curiosity, and innovation spur economic growth. It also renews our government’s commitment to building a new relationship with Indigenous Peoples, based on recognition of rights, respect, cooperation, and partnership.
That includes right here in Northwestern Ontario:
- Budget 2018 proposes an additional $511 million over the next five years, starting in 2018- 19, to regional development agencies to support the Innovation and Skills Plan across all regions of Of the $511 million, $28 million would be allocated to Fednor, of which $6 million will be for nationally coordinated, regionally tailored support for women entrepreneurs
- To enable the development of technologies that could extend and improve access to broadband in Canada’s most remote areas, Budget 2018 provides $100 million over the next five years to the Strategic Innovation Fund with a particular focus on supporting projects that relate to low orbit satellites and next generation rural broadband
- Budget 2018 proposes investments of $2 billion over five years across Canada and $408.2 million ongoing to support the creation of a new Indigenous Skills and Employment Training Program, which will replace the Aboriginal Skills and Employment Training Program
