Aug 14, 2021 | International
Ottawa, Ontario
Government of Canada invests more than $830,000 to support Black entrepreneurs and businesses in the National Capital Region
Black Canadian business owners and entrepreneurs make important contributions to the Canadian economy, yet they continue to face systemic racism and obstacles in starting and growing their businesses. This has been further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Government of Canada is working to address long-standing barriers with its first-ever Black Entrepreneurship Program—an over $400-million investment to support the long-term success of Black entrepreneurs and business owners.
Today, the Honourable Mona Fortier, Minister of Middle Class Prosperity and Associate Minister of Finance, on behalf of the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade, announced that the Africa Development Network (ADN) will receive $832,000 to deliver the Black Entrepreneuship Program’s National Ecosystem Fund in the National Capital Region and Montréal.
This funding will allow ADN and its partners to develop and establish a new incubator centre for Black Francophone entrepreneurs and businesses. The centre will offer supports such as one-on-one mentoring, Black industry advisors, and custom training for micro, small and growth companies. The project is expected to support 400 entrepreneurs and 200 Black-led businesses, as well as create 150 new jobs through the companies supported.
The support is provided through the National Ecosystem Fund, which was created to strengthen the entrepreneurship ecosystem for Black entrepreneurs and business owners across Canada. In Ottawa, FedDev Ontario is administering the Fund.
“This is a meaningful, historic step to correct a historic wrong: the systemic barriers in accessing financing faced by people of African descent. I believe that Black Canadians are one of the most entrepreneurial groups in the underground economy. When all financial doors were closed to them, people of African descent on this land have had to find creative ways to survive. The Black Entrepreneurship Program will simply enhance the capacity and creativity of Black entrepreneurs and create economic prosperity for all Canadians.”
– Greg Fergus, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister, to the President of the Treasury Board and to the Minister of Digital Government and Chair of the Parliamentary Black Caucus
“Receiving this funding under the Black Entrepreneurship Program means ADN and its partners will be able to provide coaching, mentoring and training to Black entrepreneurs in the National Capital Region and beyond. This support will help Black-led businesses overcome challenges to their growth and development and create jobs.”
– Chandra Arya, Member of Parliament for Nepean
“After years of hard work, ADN is very pleased to receive this financial support from the Canadian government for our national business development centre project. This funding will help Black entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses and so increase the number of Black-led businesses in Canada by the end of the project.”
– André Gallo Azambou, Chair of the Board of Directors, Africa Development Network
Alice Hansen
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade
613-612-0482
alice.hansen@international.gc.ca
Jul 27, 2021 | International
On Friday, the Minister of Middle Class Prosperity and Associate Minister of Finance, Mona Fortier spoke virtually with Her Worship Bonnie Crombie, the Mayor of Mississauga and city officials.
July 26, 2021
On Friday, the Minister of Middle Class Prosperity and Associate Minister of Finance, Mona Fortier spoke virtually with Her Worship Bonnie Crombie, the Mayor of Mississauga and city officials.
Minister Fortier and Mayor Crombie discussed Canada’s draft Quality of Life Framework that was introduced in Budget 2021 to integrate quality of life considerations into decision-making. The Framework provides a guide for moving beyond one set of well-being indicators – such as GDP – to look at Canadians’ quality of life in five domains – prosperity, health, environment, society and good governance. In addition to this sort of multi-dimensional thinking, the framework emphasizes inclusive and long-term thinking.
The Minister sought input on the discussion paper released alongside Budget 2021 and specifically Mayor Combie’s views on the domains and indicators in the Framework to better assess quality of life by ensuring that a broad range of factors are used to guide policy decisions in Canada.
Mayor Crombie was pleased to see that the Quality of Life Framework demonstrates a willingness to move away from purely economic factors to measure success and well-being. She highlighted the importance of equity and inclusion, especially in a municipality such as Mississauga, known for its cultural diversity. She also underscored the need for increased government action and commitment to fight systemic racism and discrimination. Mayor Crombie and Minister Fortier also discussed the importance of focusing on health and wellness, especially through supports and investments in mental health as it pertains to a variety of social issues such as housing, employment and drug use. Finally, they recognized the need to prepare and train Canadian workers for shifts in the economy, innovation and the jobs of the future.
Minister Fortier indicated that the feedback from this meeting, as well as other meetings, would be used to refine the Framework, which will remain evergreen to ensure its continued relevance in measuring what matters for a good quality of life in Canada.
Minister Fortier also took the opportunity to discuss continued challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and the work done by municipal governments to spearhead the country’s economic recovery. Canada entered the pandemic in a strong fiscal position, which has allowed the government to take quick and decisive action, support people and businesses, and make historic investments in the recovery.
Isabella Brisson
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Middle Class Prosperity and Associate Minister of Finance
isabella.brisson@fin.gc.ca
Jul 24, 2021 | International
Yesterday, the Minister of Middle Class Prosperity and Associate Minister of Finance, Mona Fortier spoke virtually with His Worship Mike Savage, the Mayor of Halifax.
July 23, 2021
Yesterday, the Minister of Middle Class Prosperity and Associate Minister of Finance, Mona Fortier spoke virtually with His Worship Mike Savage, the Mayor of Halifax.
Minister Fortier and Mayor Savage discussed Canada’s draft Quality of Life Framework that was introduced in Budget 2021 to integrate quality of life considerations into decision-making. The Framework provides a guide for moving beyond one set of well-being indicators – such as GDP – to look at Canadians’ quality of life in five domains – prosperity, health, environment, society and good governance. In addition to this sort of multi-dimensional thinking, the framework emphasizes inclusive and long-term thinking.
The Minister sought input on the discussion paper released alongside Budget 2021 and specifically Mayor Savage’s views on the domains and indicators in the Framework to better assess quality of life by ensuring that a broad range of factors are used to guide policy decisions in Canada.
Mayor Savage discussed the importance of collaboration, generosity and feeling connected to one’s community. He highlighted that looking beyond traditional economic indicators in decision-making will ensure genuine progress and prosperity for all. He reinforced the importance of support and investments in affordable and attainable housing, tackling homelessness, and an effective action plan for a green and inclusive economic transition. Minister Fortier and Mayor Savage also discussed the importance of reconciliation and building a strong partnership with Indigenous peoples as well as working together through all orders of government for the well-being of all Canadians.
Minister Fortier indicated that the feedback from this meeting, as well as other meetings, would be used to refine the Framework, which will remain evergreen to ensure its continued relevance in measuring what matters for a good quality of life in Canada.
Minister Fortier also took the opportunity to discuss continued challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and the work done by municipal governments to spearhead the country’s economic recovery. Canada entered the pandemic in a strong fiscal position, which has allowed the government to take quick and decisive action, support people and businesses, and make historic investments in the recovery.
Isabella Brisson
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Middle Class Prosperity and Associate Minister of Finance
isabella.brisson@fin.gc.ca
Jul 20, 2021 | International
Today, the Minister of Middle Class Prosperity and Associate Minister of Finance, Mona Fortier spoke virtually with Her Worship Sandra Masters, the Mayor of Regina.
July 19, 2021
Today, the Minister of Middle Class Prosperity and Associate Minister of Finance, Mona Fortier spoke virtually with Her Worship Sandra Masters, the Mayor of Regina.
Minister Fortier and Mayor Masters discussed Canada’s draft Quality of Life Framework that was introduced in Budget 2021 to integrate quality of life considerations into decision-making. The Framework provides a guide for moving beyond one set of well-being indicators – such as GDP – to look at Canadians’ quality of life in five domains – prosperity, health, environment, society and good governance. In addition to this sort of multi-dimensional thinking, the Framework emphasizes inclusive and long-term thinking.
The Minister sought input on the discussion paper released alongside Budget 2021 and specifically Mayor Masters’ views on the domains and indicators in the Framework to better assess quality of life by ensuring that a broad range of factors are used to guide policy decisions in Canada.
Mayor Masters shared the view that government decision-making needs to include factors beyond finances, specifically, Regina is working on community safety and wellbeing priorities. She underlined the importance of collaboration with cities to make sure all voices are heard, such as for example applying a rural lens to the Framework. They talked about the balance between economic and social growth in her city. They also highlighted the need to support women entrepreneurs at both the municipal and federal levels.
Minister Fortier indicated that the feedback from this meeting, as well as other meetings, would be used to refine the Framework, which will remain evergreen to ensure its continued relevance in measuring what matters for a good quality of life in Canada.
Minister Fortier also took the opportunity to discuss continued challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and the work done by municipal governments to spearhead the country’s economic recovery. Canada entered the pandemic in a strong fiscal position, which has allowed the government to take quick and decisive action, support people and businesses, and make historic investments in the recovery.
Isabella Brisson
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Middle Class Prosperity and Associate Minister of Finance
isabella.brisson@fin.gc.ca
Apr 23, 2021 | International
Today, Earth Day, Minister of Middle Class Prosperity and Associate Minister of Finance, the Honourable Mona Fortier, continued her tour to discuss Budget 2021: A Recovery Plan for Jobs, Growth, and Resilience at the Pearson Centre for Progressive Policy.
April 22, 2021 – Ottawa, Ontario – Department of Finance Canada
Today, Earth Day, Minister of Middle Class Prosperity and Associate Minister of Finance, the Honourable Mona Fortier, continued her tour to discuss Budget 2021: A Recovery Plan for Jobs, Growth, and Resilience at the Pearson Centre for Progressive Policy. Budget 2021 is the Government of Canada’s plan to finish the fight against COVID-19 and ensure a robust economic recovery that brings all Canadians along.
Budget 2021 is an historic investment to address the specific wounds of the COVID-19 recession, put people first, create jobs, grow the middle class, set businesses on a track for long-term growth, and ensure that Canada’s future will be healthier, more equitable, greener, and more prosperous.
In 2021, job growth means green growth. Building a net zero economy is no longer a matter of debate. This is where many of the jobs of the future lie. Budget 2021 is a plan for a green recovery that fights climate change, helps more than 200,000 Canadians make their homes greener, builds a net-zero economy by investing in world-leading technologies that make industry cleaner, and creates good middle-class jobs in the green economy along the way.
This budget invests $17.6 billion in a green recovery that sets out important measures that will help achieve the government’s emissions reductions objective of 40 per cent by 2030 below 2005 levels, exceeding Canada’s Paris climate targets and put us on a path to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, and puts in place the funding to achieve Canada’s goal of conserving 25 per cent of our lands and oceans by 2025.
It includes a historic investment of a further proposed $5 billion over seven years in the Net Zero Accelerator to help even more companies invest to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, while growing their businesses.
Around the world, countries and investors realize that climate action is the key to building strong, resilient economies. Fighting climate change, including by reaching net-zero, will be a cornerstone of this government’s plan to rebuild the economy, create middle class jobs, and ensure Canadian industry stays competitive on the world stage.
“This budget keeps our promise to get Canada back to work and to ensure the lives and prospects of Canadians are able to get to the other side of this pandemic. It is as much about jumpstarting our economy as it is about investing in measures that will increase the quality of life for our citizens – things like child care, arts and culture, the environment and public infrastructure.”
Minister of Middle Class Prosperity and Associate Minister of Finance, the Honourable Mona Fortier
Isabella Brisson
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Middle Class Prosperity and Associate Minister of Finance
isabella.brisson@canada.ca
