Canada – FedDev Ontario invests in three rural airports to support regional connectivity and jobs for economic recovery

Sep 3, 2021 | International

Sarnia, ON

Regional air transportation is crucial to local economies, the movement of people and goods across the country and maintaining operations with our trading partners. The pandemic has had major impacts on regional air transportation ecosystems, affecting communities and local businesses from coast to coast to coast. With strategic positioning close to the border and surrounding growing industries, southwestern Ontario’s regional air transportation infrastructure helps to foster economic growth and regional connectivity.

The Government of Canada’s Regional Air Transportation Initiative (RATI) supports access to air transportation and regional ecosystems. In particular, it enables the continuation of existing air routes and ensures airports remain operational and able to contribute to regional economic growth, while adapting to new post-COVID-19 realities and requirements.

Targeted support for southwestern Ontario air transportation ecosystem


Today, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), announced non-repayable contributions totalling over $3.5 million for three regional southwestern Ontario airports: Sarnia Chris Hadfield Airport, St. Thomas Municipal Airport and Tillsonburg Regional Airport.

Sarnia Chris Hadfield Airport has been serving the Sarnia-Lambton community for over 60 years. FedDev Ontario’s $1.9-million non-repayable investment will support the construction of a new hangar and critical upgrades including plexi-glass barriers, sanitization stations, signage and equipment to assist in re-establishing regional scheduled service.

St. Thomas Municipal Airport, owned and operated by the Corporation of the City of St. Thomas, is a key municipal air facility providing complete service to a range of customers, including pilots and military aircraft. A $1.1-million non-repayable FedDev Ontario investment will improve airport operations through the construction of 8,000 square-meters of ramp space to accommodate the parking, fueling and servicing of regional aircraft. The project will facilitate the growth of industrial clients at the airport and throughout the region. 

Tillsonburg Regional Airport, owned and operated by the Town of Tillsonburg, is Oxford County’s only paved runway and welcomes a variety of aircraft. This $535,000-non-repayable FedDev Ontario investment will support the expansion of the airport’s apron where aircraft are parked and maintained, extend its taxiway, the construction of access roads and perimeter fencing.

As a result, these investments will help create and maintain local jobs in the Tillsonburg, Sarnia and St. Thomas regions.

Regional air transportation is key to the economic development of communities and businesses right across Canada. It is essential to connecting Canadians living in rural and remote communities to urban centres, delivering Canadian goods to the global market and welcoming international visitors to all parts of the country, when it is safe to do so. 

“It is important to protect our regional air transportation ecosystems for the thousands of workers employed by this sector and for the many businesses and communities that depend on it. We know that air connectivity to all regions is essential to healthy, inclusive economic growth, and supporting it is part of our plan to build back a stronger, more resilient economy.”

– The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for FedDev Ontario 

“Through this investment in the Sarnia, St. Thomas and Tillsonburg airports, the Government of Canada will help bolster the region’s air transportation ecosystem and strengthen connectivity, supporting a strong and prosperous future for this unique region of Ontario.”


– Marie-France Lalonde, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages (FedDev Ontario and Official Languages)

“Sarnia, St. Thomas and Tillsonburg regional airports not only offer a gateway for visitors and locals alike, they help boost local economic development. Support through the Regional Air Transportation Initiative will help position these local economies to rebound from the pandemic and allow the airports to continue offering safe, reliable air travel options for passengers to and from the region.”


– Peter Fragiskatos, Member of Parliament for London North Centre 

“I am pleased to recognize the support of the Government of Canada for the valuable Regional Air Transportation Initiative funding through FedDev Ontario. This contribution will assist with our ongoing investment to ensure future sustainable growth at the Tillsonburg Regional Airport. In our expanding focus on regional connectivity, safety and future economic development we remain committed as a community to work with our partners to ensure our aggressive mandate is realized. This investment is important in ensuring our goals are realized.”

– Mayor Stephen Molnar, Town of Tillsonburg

Sarnia Chris Hadfield Airport is named in honor of Canadian Astronaut Chris Hadfield and services Sarnia and Lambton County. The airport is classified as an airport of entry into Canada supported by Canadian Border Services Agency. Prior to the pandemic, the airport had scheduled airline service and currently services Corporate, Private, and Emergency Service aircraft operators, as well as a private flight training facility. 

St. Thomas Airport is a full-service airport, that serves industry and the public and has the capacity to handle small jets as well as the largest aircraft used by the Canadian Armed Forces with access to flight school and training facilities, aircraft maintenance and repair facilities and customs and immigration services. 

Tillsonburg Regional Airport is also home to the Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association (CHAA) and the Tillsonburg Flying School.

Recognizing the profound impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the air transportation sector, the Government of Canada introduced the Regional Air Transportation Initiative (RATI) to help businesses and organizations in regional air transportation ecosystems to remain operational through these difficult times and continue to support the economic growth of our regions.

With a national budget of $206 million over two years, Canada’s regional development agencies (RDAs) are delivering this support, with FedDev Ontario delivering $24.2 million in southern Ontario. The RATI complements the measures in Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan and measures implemented by Transport Canada.

Since November 1, 2015, FedDev Ontario has invested over $695.3 million in 818 projects in southwestern Ontario.

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Canada – FedDev Ontario extends funding for Digital Main Street initiative and Recovery Activation Program

Aug 20, 2021 | International

The COVID-19 pandemic has placed an immense strain on retail-oriented main street businesses and small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) over the past 16 months.

August 13, 2021 – Ottawa, Ontario

$8.7 million in additional funding to help 4,100 more businesses recover from the pandemic and keep 150 students employed

The COVID-19 pandemic has placed an immense strain on retail-oriented main street businesses and small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) over the past 16 months. In order to survive, many of these businesses had to pivot their operations from brick-and-mortar locations to the digital marketplace.

That is why in June 2020, the Government of Canada, in partnership with the Government of Ontario, the Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas (TABIA), the Ontario Business Improvement Area Association (OBIAA), Invest Ottawa, Communitech and the Toronto Region Board of Trade (TRBOT), expanded the existing Digital Main Street (DMS) platform and launched the Recovery Activation Program (RAP). 

Since the launch of these programs, it is estimated that over 30,000 businesses have been engaged to pivot and digitize their operations, helping them generate new revenue channels throughout the course of the pandemic and build their resiliency. In addition, DMS has provided over 1,000 meaningful work opportunities for students who have been hired to guide main street businesses along the digital adoption journey.

Given the strong demand that remains for access to these services from businesses across southern Ontario, today, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), announced an investment of $8.7 million to extend some key elements of these programs for an additional three months—bringing the total federal investment to over $70 million.  

Specifically, this three-month extension of federal funding will provide continued support for 70 digital service squads in communities across southern Ontario, enable an additional 1,000 companies to access the Digital Transformation Grant program to support digital adoption, and allow an additional 2,800 companies to participate in the ShopHERE initiative. Under the Recovery Activation Program, an additional 300 businesses will have the opportunity to participate in training to digitize all aspects of their operations, with a focus on supporting small- to medium-sized manufacturers and those in the tourism sector.

Targeted support a game changer for many main street businesses and SMEs
Together, DMS and RAP have provided integral support to local businesses, resulting in measures that helped them navigate unprecedented conditions and discover new ways to generate additional customers.

Shortly after The Bridge Social opened its doors in Uxbridge, owners Rebecca Harman and Julia McDonald faced debilitating restrictions due to COVID-19. The partners quickly realized that their website, which had not been a priority, was their only hope to keep their organic neighbourhood café and clean body care store afloat. A Digital Transformation Grant through DMS provided access to a local Digital Service Squad that helped them set up an online storefront. “DMS saved our business and opened up so many opportunities we wouldn’t have had before to help keep our doors open,” says Harman. “With our Shopify website, we have been able to train new and returning staff on the online ordering and inventory process, as well the value of the online and instore cohesiveness. They have loved every step of the learning process, and we can all see the value in these transferrable skills. This has all resulted in being able to capitalize on online shopping and create more accessible experiences for our customers.”

For some businesses, COVID-19 sparked greater demand for their products. Take Ottawa Valley Grain Products (OVGP), for example. The fourth-generation, family-owned and operated business has been processing specialty grain products since 1929. With the number of people discovering pandemic baking, the company was swamped with orders that their outdated website and shipping processes couldn’t manage. OVGP owner, Kevin Stewart, says the help he received from the ShopHERE program helped his company build a more user-friendly website, and OVGP is now reaching customers it wasn’t able to reach before. “Working with our own eCommerce Coordinator was extremely helpful,” says Stewart. “I can’t say enough good things about the process to build the online store—it was great!”

In other instances, COVID-19 forced companies to completely re-think their operating models. This was the case with Kunst Solutions Corp., which provides enterprise solutions for improving organizations’ processes and performance. Prior to the pandemic, the company provided in-person training to its clients. By participating in RAP, Kunst Solutions’ owners learned how to pivot to a virtual training model and to grow their business digitally. “RAP solidified our training strategy and provided us with guidance so we and our customers feel comfortable and secure about our new virtual e-learning offerings,” says Richard Kunst, President and CEO. “This could not have been accomplished and implemented at this rapid rate without the advice and expertise we obtained through RAP.”

With the province moving toward increased re-opening and recovery efforts, FedDev Ontario’s extended support for DMS and RAP is continuing to help businesses build forward with the tools they need to succeed in a new, increasingly digital economy.  

“The benefits of Digital Main Street and the Recovery Activation Program are evident in the positive outcomes for businesses and students alike who found hope and a way forward in the support and opportunities they received. Our government’s investment not only helped companies adopt digital technologies to weather the worst of the pandemic, but also set them up for future success. We are a proud partner in the delivery of this transformational programming, and we applaud participants for their courage to take charge, embrace change and set new paths.”

– The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario

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