Yves Landry Foundation Achieving Innovation and Manufacturing Excellence (AIME) Initiative Funding Announcement

The Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario)

Brampton, Ontario
November 30, 2009

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It is my pleasure to be here with all of you today.

And, I’d like to thank you to the Sheridan Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning for hosting us today.

I know that Canadians’ number one priority and our government’s number one priority right now is our economy.

Ontario has faced many challenges as a result of this recession, and as you know, many of our strongest industries have suffered from cutbacks to jobs and production.

The manufacturing sector in southern Ontario – the second largest industry in this region – has been hit particularly hard. 

Manufacturers need financial assistance to allow them to effectively compete, retain jobs and deal with economic and financial pressures that threaten their viability. And they need support to adapt and diversify their products and services.

Our government has taken action to address the needs and priorities of our people, our businesses and industries.

In the last few months, we have reduced taxes, paid down the debt and invested in roads, bridges, waterways, community centres and other important projects. Our Economic Action Plan builds on Canada’s strengths and sets the path for our future economic success.

There is evidence that our government’s actions are having a real impact and our economy is starting to benefit from our plan. For example, since June, 26,500 new jobs have been created in Ontario.

But this government recognizes that we still need to do more in Southern Ontario. This is why, under Canada’s Economic Action Plan, more than $1 billion was allocated for a new Southern Ontario development agency.

The Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, or FedDev Ontario as we like to call it, was created to provide the tools and resources that communities and businesses need to diversify and become more competitive.

Over the last few months, we have taken action to develop and deliver economic development programs that will build on the strengths of our communities and create an environment where our people and businesses can thrive.

In fact, I have already announced several significant initiatives that will help to strengthen the Southern Ontario economy.

On October 2, I was in London to launch the Southern Ontario Development Program, or SODP, with a call for project applications under the first intake, worth $55 million. 

The SODP is FedDev Ontario’s key funding program that supports productivity, innovation, commercialization, community economic development and diversification in Southern Ontario.

Today, I’m pleased to announce the Yves Landry Foundation that will benefit from this funding.

Our government will invest $12 million in the Yves Landry Foundation in order to extend the Achieving Innovation & Manufacturing Excellence Initiative.

Through this initiative, the Yves Landry Foundation will fund projects that focus on advancing technological education and skills training for small- and medium- sized manufacturers in southern Ontario.

This will help companies build their skilled labour, allowing them to innovate and become more competitive, while preventing professional shortages facing the industry. 

It includes retraining personnel to support major innovation efforts, or developing employee skills in areas of innovation critical to a company’s future success

For example — if a company is using a material or process that could result in reduced costs, better product quality or enhanced product features if modified or replaced — the Foundation can fund training initiatives to better equip employees to investigate the use of alternative materials or processes or to advance the use of new ones.

This partnership is the type of opportunity that FedDev Ontario was developed to support. We are taking an active role in transforming southern Ontario’s economy and positioning the region for long-term economic sustainability.

Overall funding for the SODP is $100 million in 2009-10. And I’m pleased to say that more than $90 million has now been committed.

We understand the importance of supporting SMEs, manufacturers, communities and non-profit organizations and the critical role they play in our economy.

Our government is delivering on our commitment to create jobs and invest in the economy of the future — today.

I look forward to working with many of you as we continue to support people, communities and businesses in this region and pave the way for long-term growth and position Southern Ontario as a future economic leader.

Thank you. Merci.