Ontario launches programs to support Indigenous economic development
The provincial government has announced applications are open for programs that support economic development for Indigenous people, organizations and communities.
The Indigenous Economic Development Fund and the Indigenous Community Capital Grants Program combined have more than $9 million available.
“We’re garnering a lot of support from Indigenous businesses to be involved in supply chains, in mining, in forestry, in electric vehicle battery storage, the energy sectors more broadly as we see here in Timmins," said Greg Rickford, Ontario's minister of Indigenous Affairs.
“And so we don’t think that any of this can happen without them, frankly.”
Timmins councillor Cory Robin said the population segment that has the most growth in the city is the Indigenous population and jobs are needed.
The way to increase them, Robin said, is to expand the Indigenous economic footprint.
He said he has seen these funding streams used in a variety of ways in the past.
“I’ve seen it used to purchase other companies, I’ve seen it used to expand a trucking fleet for example or to buy new heads for your forestry equipment,” Robin said.
“I’ve seen it used to establish offices and, you know, promote services and things like that. Even a tech firm could use it.”
Robin added there are more Indigenous companies today than there were 10 years ago.
Applications for the two funding sources are open until early March.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Officials: 2 dead, 5 missing in chocolate factory explosion
An explosion at a chocolate factory in Pennsylvania on Friday killed two people and left five people missing, authorities said. One person was pulled from the rubble overnight.

Putin says Russia will station tactical nukes in Belarus
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced plans on Saturday to station tactical nuclear weapons in neighboring Belarus, a warning to the West as it steps up military support for Ukraine.
Risk of a hard landing for Canadian economy is up, former Bank of Canada governor says
Former Bank of Canada governor Stephen Poloz says Canada’s economy is at a greater risk of a 'hard landing' — a rapid economic slowdown following a period of growth and approaching a recession.
Canadians view own country favourably but many unsure about Canada's system of government: survey
A recent study by the Angus Reid Institute found Canadians view their country more positively than Americans do, but only a slight majority of people in Canada believe their system of government is good.
Declining suicide rates in Europe may be linked to increased preventative initiatives: report
Within the last decade the total suicide rate among European nations have decreased, according to a new report that says increased suicide prevention initiatives may have helped bring down this death rate.
Russia 'largely stalled' in Bakhmut, shifting focus, U.K. says
The top commander of Ukraine's military said Saturday that his forces were pushing back against Russian troops in the long and grinding battle for the town of Bakhmut, and British military intelligence says Russia appears to be moving to a defensive strategy in eastern Ukraine.
Trump rallying supporters in Waco ahead of possible charges
Staring down a possible indictment, a defiant Donald Trump is hoping to put on a show of force Saturday at the first rally of his 2024 presidential campaign, in a city made famous by deadly resistance against law enforcement.
'Everything is interwoven': Trudeau and Biden vow continued Canada-U.S. collaboration during historic visit
U.S President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau have announced updates on a number of cross-border issues, after a day of meetings on Parliament Hill.
Asylum seeker deal between U.S. and Canada won't stop drama at border, advocates say
About a dozen asylum seekers hoping to start a new life in Canada saw their plans hit a snag on Saturday afternoon when they learned an unofficial crossing between the Canadian and U.S. border no longer offered the safe passage they'd come to expect.