Official Languages Committee on Nov. 29th, 2023

[Nick Fabiano]

Yes, one of the indicators is an increase in the number of jobs in the region, and, thanks to the money we've allocated under the EDI, we've established or expanded 41 actual community and regional projects.

There have also been 407 training and consultation sessions with the communities, and 100 financial plans have been established. So, in addition to increasing job numbers, these are other elements that foster a better ecosystem for minority language entrepreneurs.

[Bernard Généreux, Conservative, Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC]

Ms. Cousineau, I imagine your agency also contributes to the economic development initiative?

[Linda Cousineau]

Yes, of course, we contribute to it.

In southern Ontario, we are delivering the economic development initiative, and we have an allocation of contribution value of $4 million over five years. That's $800,000 annually. I can speak to the results of the last five years, as well as the program and its delivery. Our investment of $4 million resulted in assistance to 1,000 businesses and 78 organizations. This leveraged an additional $6.3 million, and over 270 jobs were created and maintained.

[Bernard Généreux, Conservative, Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC]

I see.

I believe it was Mr. Serré who criticized us earlier for making budget cuts at the time. The present government, which has been in power for eight years, has reinvested heavily, but do you think that has really changed matters?

[Linda Cousineau]

Would you please clarify your question?

[Bernard Généreux, Conservative, Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC]

In the past eight years, including the last five to which you referred, the federal government has invested more money in economic development across the board. Do you think that has changed the situation on the ground or not?

I'm asking Mr. Fabiano the same question.

[Linda Cousineau]

Thank you for that clarification.

Let me tell you about FedDev Ontario's budget for the 2023‑24 fiscal year.

That's a total of $431.5 million in our main estimates, which includes $390.9 million in grants and contributions funding.

[Bernard Généreux, Conservative, Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC]

What percentage of those amounts is earmarked for official language minority communities or minority communities?

[Linda Cousineau]

There are many programs that can support francophone businesses and communities. The economic development initiative isn't the only initiative providing direct support to francophone communities.

[Bernard Généreux, Conservative, Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC]

Mr. Fabiano, would you please answer my question?

[Nick Fabiano]

FedNor has allocated $800,000 a year, through the economic development initiative, to support francophone communities. All the programs together total approximately $40 million, and we use a portion of that money to support francophone businesses.

[Bernard Généreux, Conservative, Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC]

Thank you.

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Joël Godin]

Thank you, Mr. Généreux and Mr. Fabiano.

Mr. Drouin, representing the Liberal Party of Canada, the floor is yours.

[Francis Drouin, Liberal, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON]

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.

I want to salute the work of FedDev Ontario, an organization that I know very well.

Ms. Cousineau, I wanted to take another look at the relationship that your organization has with the community futures development corporations, or CFDC, which are virtually everywhere on the ground. What kinds of programs do they offer? What role do they have to play in the official language minority communities?

I heard the names Prescott and Russell, a region that I know very well, since it's part of the riding that it is my pleasure to represent. I know there are other regions in southern Ontario where French-language services are offered, so I'd like to hear you tell us about that subject.

[Linda Cousineau]

FedDev Ontario provides operating funding to community futures development corporations so that these organizations across southern Ontario are able to have access to business supports, entrepreneurship training, business counselling and loans to support the growth of the business.

They also contribute to supporting community and economic development in rural communities. We support 36 community futures development corporations in southern Ontario. Six of them receive incremental funding to ensure that they are able to provide supports in both official languages, as they serve communities that have significant francophone populations. The CFDCs that serve francophone populations include Prescott-Russell—as you noted—Renfrew, central Niagara, north Simcoe, Essex, Cornwall and counties.

In terms of the CFDCs, they are really instrumental. About 60% of our rural population is being served by CFDCs, but that is also augmented by the programs that FedDev is able to deliver directly.

[Francis Drouin, Liberal, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON]

Thank you very much, Ms. Cousineau.

What I think is good is that the community futures development corporations guide the businesses that want access to more funding. Those corporations have a good relationship with FedDev Ontario and can thus facilitate contact between your organization and the non-profit organizations or businesses that need more funding or are seeking access to a broader range of programs.

My other question concerns promoting entrepreneurship among women. You discussed it briefly with my colleague Mr. Serré. I was wondering what programs FedDev Ontario offers to support entrepreneurship among women. There is a business in my riding right now called L'Orignal Packing. The owner, Ms. Bonneau, has taken it over from her father. She accessed $100,000 from FedDev Ontario through a program focusing on entrepreneurship promotion among women in particular. I was wondering if you could explain to the committee the role that kind of program plays in the communities.

[Linda Cousineau]

Thank you for that question.

That particular program was a women entrepreneurship fund that provided up to $100,000 in non-repayable contributions to women-owned and women-led businesses. It helped promote companies like L'Orignal Packing so they could grow.

I would draw your attention to a recent investment announcement by FedDev Ontario for a company located in Vars, Ontario, through our regional programming. This business is women-led. It's called Beau-Roc. They do dump truck mechanisms. That company is expanding to reach global markets. We're helping them with a $6.1-million repayable contribution so they can grow, access new markets and create jobs in an OLMC. That is an example of a company that's grown over the years with various supports through the ecosystem.

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Joël Godin]

You have 30 seconds left.

[Francis Drouin, Liberal, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON]

Thanks very much. I am very familiar with the Beau-Roc business too.

Thank you for the work you do. Once again I want to acknowledge the important role you play in the economy in general and in the economy of the rural francophone minority communities in particular. I think your federal agency is a key economic development player.

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Joël Godin]

Thank you, Mr. Drouin.

We are coming to the end of the second round.

Mr. Beaulieu, you have the floor for two and a half minutes.

[Mario Beaulieu, Bloc, La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC]

Mr. Fabiano, what would be the most important improvement that we could make to assist you in your work?

[Nick Fabiano]

Our aim as an economic development agency is to continue implementing national programs in the communities.

We deliver the program in a community for the needs of the community. It's about continuing to be able to do what we do and fill the gap in national programs. Continuing to work with the community is probably the most important thing. Funding is always a question I leave for others, but I think us being able to continue to work in these communities directly is the most important thing.

[Mario Beaulieu, Bloc, La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC]

Ms. Cousineau, what aspect of the economic ecosystem of the francophone communities should mainly be reinforced?

[Linda Cousineau]

I'm sorry, I didn't hear the question.

[Mario Beaulieu, Bloc, La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC]

What aspect of the economic ecosystem of the francophone communities should be reinforced on a priority basis?