Month: August 2025

Categories
Alberta

Minister Olszewski announces federal investments to bolster rural and Indigenous economic development across Alberta


Funding will help communities, support entrepreneurs, attract talent, and build a skilled workforce right here in Alberta

August 20, 2025 – Edmonton, Alberta – PrairiesCan

Rural and Indigenous communities, entrepreneurs, and businesses across the Prairies play a key role in contributing to Canada’s economic strength while supporting high quality jobs. The Government of Canada is making targeted investments in locally led initiatives that support economic reconciliation while enabling rural prosperity.

Today, the Honourable Eleanor Olszewski, Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan), announced more than $5.9 million for seven projects across Alberta to help communities strengthen rural employers and expand economic development opportunities.

The seven projects include:

  • Supporting Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) to build Indigenous-led Community Atlases—data platforms to assist communities with industry consultations, land use, decision-making on industrial projects, and land reclamation. It is receiving $1 million.
  • Funding for Siksika Nation to establish a new business resource centre and deliver programming to entrepreneurs. They are receiving $810,300.
  • Enabling the County of Grande Prairie and the Grande Prairie Chamber of Commerce to launch Work Northwest Alberta – a collaborative partnership and regional approach to attract, retain, and develop a skilled workforce. They are receiving $689,000.
  • Helping Arts Council Wood Buffalo to transform a vacant Fort McMurray property into a large-scale arts incubator, supporting local artisans and hands-on community learning. It is receiving $750,000.
  • Funding for AKSIS – Edmonton Indigenous Business and Professional Association to develop and operate the AKSIS Indigenous Resource Centre to provide resources, networking opportunities, and support to Indigenous entrepreneurs—as well as deliver cultural awareness workshops to strengthen the community of non-Indigenous allies in Edmonton. It is receiving $200,000.
  • The Rural Routes to Climate Solutions Society will support the Blackfoot Confederacy to adopt regenerative agriculture practices, which align with cultural protocols, by launching a program to promote agribusiness. They are receiving $458,250.
  • Support Bear Hills Gas Station to develop a 2,000 square foot travel centre that includes fuel and electric vehicle (EV) refueling as well as a convenience store as part of a Louis Bull Tribe economic development initiative in Maskwacis. It is receiving $2 million.



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Categories
Uncategorized

Red River Métis Business Directory now recognized by the Government of Canada as a source of verified Indigenous businesses


August 20, 2025 — Winnipeg, Manitoba, in the National Homeland of the Red River Métis and Treaty 1 Territory — Indigenous Services Canada and the Manitoba Métis Federation

The Government of Canada is committed to working with the Manitoba Métis Federation to build Canada strong.

Today, President David Chartrand of the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) and the Honourable Mandy Gull-Masty, Minister of Indigenous Services, announced the official recognition by the Government of Canada of the Red River Métis Business Directory as a source for verified Red River Métis businesses.

The official recognition of MMF’s Red River Métis Business Directory, with currently over 850 businesses registered, means that all businesses listed businesses are now eligible for federal procurement opportunities under the Procurement Strategy for Indigenous Business (PSIB). This recognition facilitates direct access to federal contracts set aside for Indigenous businesses, including Red River Métis. Federal departments, which are mandated to award a minimum of 5% of their total procurement each year to Indigenous businesses, can now use the Red River Métis Business Directory as a trusted source. 

Red River Métis businesses are now able to compete for federal defence contracts, such as the Future Aircrew Training Program (FAcT), and other domestic and northern defence activities. 

Indigenous Services Canada is working with Indigenous partners, including the Red River Métis, to transform the federal Indigenous procurement strategy. Indigenous leaders, governments and organizations have stressed the importance of self‑determination and the development of policies that are respectful of Indigenous-led definitions of Indigeneity. The recognition of the Red River Métis Business Directory is an important step forward in honouring the authority of the Manitoba Métis Federation to guide which businesses qualify as Red River Métis. 

Indigenous businesses, including Red River Métis, have faced systemic barriers to economic development and full participation within the Canadian economy, and are underrepresented in federal procurement, which is why Canada will continue to work with partners such as the MMF to reduce barriers, advance reconciliation, and support the growth of Indigenous businesses, including the Red River Métis.



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Categories
Economic

Government of Canada invests $275,000 in the MUTEK Festival


MONTRÉAL, August 19, 2025

Canadian identity and culture drive innovation, economic growth and national pride. Supporting events that celebrate Canada’s cultural diversity strengthens communities by bringing people together and providing a platform to share our stories, heritage and traditions. This helps build a stronger, more united Canada. Our government is proud to support the MUTEK Festival, celebrating digital artistic expression, from August 19 to 24 in Montréal.

Today, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, along with the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages, announced $275,000 in funding for the MUTEK Festival.

Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED) is providing a $210,000 non-repayable contribution through the Quebec Economic Development Program (QEDP) for the commercialization of the 2025 and 2026 festivals. This support will help attract international tourists and promote Montréal’s international reputation.

Canadian Heritage is investing $65,000 in the MUTEK Festival through the Canada Arts Presentation Fund to support the 2025 event. This funding will allow MUTEK to present a highly diverse program while helping give Montréal audiences access to works by professional artists from Quebec, other Canadian provinces and abroad.



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Categories
Economic

Government of Canada supports community sport initiatives aimed at increasing participation


TORONTO, August 19, 2025

Sport has the power to inspire and drive positive change. It also plays an important role in building stronger and healthier communities across the country.

Today, the Honourable Adam van Koeverden, Secretary of State (Sport), announced a $4.5-million Government of Canada investment in 13 national sport organizations. These organizations will distribute funding to community organizations through an open call for applications.

The Community Sport for All Initiative funds will support local initiatives that remove barriers to participation in sport, specifically for underrepresented groups such as Black, Indigenous and racialized communities, persons with disabilities, 2SLGBTQI+ people, persons with low incomes, seniors and newcomers.

The Secretary of State made the announcement at a visit to Urban Squash Toronto’s summer camp. The organization, which benefited from funding through this initiative, offers local youth the opportunity to play squash at no cost, while focusing on education, mentoring and healthy eating.



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Categories
Uncategorized

Minister Olszewski highlights federal support for Indigenous and rural economic development in Alberta


August 19, 2025 – Edmonton, Alberta

The Honourable Eleanor Olszewski, Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada, will announce federal funding to enable a diverse range of locally led economic development initiatives across Alberta.

Minister Olszewski will be joined by Laura Jo Gunter, President and CEO, Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT); Lynn Smith, Regional Planning Coordinator, Peavine Métis Settlement; and Shelly Mandeville, Co-Executive Director, AKSIS – Edmonton’s Indigenous Business and Professional Association.

Speakers will be available for questions from the media following the remarks.

Date:
Wednesday, August 20, 2025

Time:
10 a.m. (MT)

Location:
NAIT Productivity and Innovation Centre (PIC) – 3rd Floor
10210 Princess Elizabeth Ave, NW
Edmonton, Alberta
(West Entrance)

Note: Parking is available in NAIT Parking Lot L. Please access the NAIT Productivity and Innovation Centre through the West Entrance near Parking Lot L.



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Categories
Health

Government of Canada improves access to health services for Francophone minority communities in Ontario


Backgrounder

August, 2025

The following projects aim to improve access to health services in French for official language minority communities (OLMCs) across Ontario.

Government of Ontario

Project: Health Card Linguistic Identifier Awareness Project

Funding: $1,000,000 over four years (2024-2028)

The project with the Government of Ontario will improve the quality of data collection and analysis regarding the preferred official language of patients across the province. This will help facilitate better planning of health services in Ontario’s OLMC.

Four post-secondary training institutions across Ontario, who are members of the Association des collèges et universités de la francophonie canadienne – Consortium national de formation en santé (ACUFC – CNFS):

Project: Formation et maintien en poste des professionnels de la santé (“Training and retention of health professionals”)

Funding: $33,211,880

  • The University of Ottawa will receive more than $25 million over five years (2023-2028) to increase the number of students enrolling in the following health programs: Masters degree in audiology, Masters degree in occupational therapy, Masters degree in speech therapy, Masters degree in physiotherapy, Nurse practitioner, Bachelor and Master degree in nursing sciences, Bachelor degree in nutrition, Bachelor and Master degree in social work, Doctorate in clinical psychology, and Undergraduate medicine program.

  • La Cité will receive more than $6 million over five years (2023-2028) to increase the number of students enrolling in the following health programs: Personal support work, Auxiliary nurse, Bachelors degree in Nursing sciences, Paramedical care, Pharmaceutical techniques, Electroneurodiagnostic, Respiratory therapy, Certificate in Visual orthoses (assistant), Dental hygiene, and Social work techniques.

  • York University (Glendon Campus) will receive more than $1 million over five years (2023-2028) to increase the number of students enrolling in the following courses: Cognitive Health and Neurodegenerative Disorders; Brain and Behavior: An Introduction to Neuroscience; Cognitive Health and Prevention of Neurodegenerative Disorders: An Integral Approach; and Neuropsychology and cognitive disorders.

  • The Collège Boréal will receive an additional $1 million over four years (2024-2028) to increase the number of students enrolling in and graduating from the Auxiliary nurse program.



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