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Raison d'être, mandate and role: who we are and what we do
Raison d'être
The Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) works with communities, businesses, not-for-profit organizations and other orders of government in southern Ontario to strengthen the region's capacity for innovation, economic development and growth. The Minister of Economic Development and Official languages is responsible for all regional development agencies (RDAs), including FedDev Ontario.
Mandate and role
FedDev Ontario's core mandate is to strengthen southern Ontario's economic capacity for innovation, economic development and growth, and to promote a dynamic, inclusive and globally-competitive southern Ontario.
As an established and permanent agency, FedDev Ontario is a reliable, long-term and trusted partner to southern Ontario's dynamic businesses, organizations and communities. It is also a key platform to support the government's overall economic agenda in a manner that responds to the needs of Canadians that reflects the opportunities and challenges specific to southern Ontario.
The Agency's investments target opportunities created by the innovation economy and position the region to become a leader in diversity and inclusion and sustainability. FedDev Ontario delivers three core funding streams that are designed to be responsive to business needs and can readily adapt to address evolving opportunities to support clean and sustainable growth, the commercialization of new technologies, business scale-up and expansion, technology adoption and adaptation, and community diversification and development.
In addition to its core programming, FedDev Ontario plays an important role as a federal delivery agent for national programs including the Community Futures Program that supports rural communities to develop and sustain their local economies, and the Economic Development Initiative that supports Francophone and bilingual organizations in Official Language Minority Communities (OLMCs). The Agency also delivers targeted and temporary national initiatives that respond to government priorities including the Black Entrepreneurship Program (BEP) Ecosystem Fund, the Regional Air Transportation Initiative (RATI) and the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF), which are key examples of Regional Development Agencies' ability to respond nimbly to emerging needs and priorities during an economic crisis.
With its headquarters in Waterloo and offices in Toronto, Peterborough and Ottawa, FedDev Ontario has a presence across southern Ontario and facilitates collaboration with a broad range of stakeholders, including post-secondary institutions, not-for-profit organizations, municipal governments and the Ontario government, Indigenous communities and private sector firms. FedDev Ontario plays an important role in convening key regional stakeholders to seek a common vision and encourage the development of coordinated plans. In addition, through ongoing collaboration and dialogue with other federal departments and agencies, FedDev Ontario ensures that the perspectives of southern Ontario are reflected in decision-making at the federal level and provides on-the-ground support in implementing key government priorities.
Operating context
Southern Ontario is a key contributor to the Canadian economy. The southern Ontario region is home to 13.4 million people, representing over a third of Canada's growing and increasingly diverse population. Ontario also generates $892 billion in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and the region accounts for nearly 40 percent of Canada's GDP and domestic exports. The province also produces half of all Canadian manufacturing exports.
The region has a rich industrial heritage including world-leading strengths in traditional, globally integrated sectors such as finance, manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, life sciences, information and communications technologies, and agri-foods. Emerging strengths in sectors such as advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, vehicle of the future, big data, cyber-security, quantum computing, internet of things, and regenerative medicine, all have a footprint in southern Ontario.
Southern Ontario is a strong enabler of economic growth due to a diverse innovation ecosystem with over 100 incubators and accelerators and a highly educated labour force with 35 post-secondary education institutions. The region is also home to aspiring entrepreneurs and venture capitalists that contribute to the southern Ontario's and the country's economic growth.
Leveraging its considerable strengths and assets, the southern Ontario economy continues to adapt to the rapid pace of technological and digital innovation, globalization, climate change and social challenges such as an aging population and uneven distribution of economic growth between urban and rural areas. The province is home to more than 470,000 firms and 40 percent of the country's high-growth firms. However, too many high-potential companies are at risk of leaving Canada to follow capital and access global markets.. Opportunities exist to focus on investments that improve the rate of commercialization to meet that of global peers, and to increase investments in new machinery and technology which will contribute to increased productivity and competitiveness, and the retention of the region's firms and talent.
Throughout 2020–21, southern Ontario continued to feel the unprecedented economic disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in reduced output and a shock to supply chains, forcing many companies across the country to lay off employees or temporarily halt business. Some sectors have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic. Higher-contact or seasonal industries such as tourism and hospitality, along with main street businesses, have been hit hard and face a particularly challenging road to recovery. The pandemic has also disproportionately impacted the region's traditionally underrepresented groups including women, Indigenous peoples, Black people and other racialized groups, youth, LGBTQ2, and others. In addition, the closure of the border to all non-essential travel between Canada and the U.S. has had a serious impact on the region's border communities as well as businesses that rely on cross-border trade. Pre-existing macro trends present both opportunities and challenges that may accelerate over the longer term due to the pandemic, including increased remote work and the untethering of clusters and talent, the shortening of supply chains, shifts to e-commerce, and increased focus on the automation of jobs.
Although recent provincial growth has been strong, averaging 2.5 percent per annum from 2014 to 2018, the COVID-19 pandemic has reversed one of the province's longest periods of sustained economic growth. However, amid vaccine rollout and a decline in COVID-19 cases, the Ontario economy is expected to recover in 2021–22 and the province is already beginning to see improvements to key economic indicators. Given southern Ontario's relative strengths and global competitiveness, and with continued government support, the region's economy is well-positioned for a gradual rebound.
Key Risks
In the 2020–21 Departmental Plan, FedDev Ontario identified the changing economic environment as a key risk to the effective delivery of funded projects and full realization of their expected outcomes.
Southern Ontario relies heavily on access to markets, particularly in the United States, and on foreign investments for its economic prosperity. Shifts in the global market, changes to southern Ontario's market access and slower economic growth affects investment decisions, growth and exports of southern Ontario businesses. In some cases, the prevailing economic conditions impact the ability of projects funded by the Agency to fully realize their expected outcomes. The unprecedented effects of the COVID-19 pandemic amplified these pre-existing factors and significantly impacted small and medium-sized businesses. Some of these effects include border closures with the U.S. contributing to disrupted supply chains, increasing costs and decreasing revenues, with some businesses forced to close temporarily or, in some cases, permanently. To mitigate these risks, FedDev Ontario immediately offered a range of flexible measures to clients, including providing repayment relief and easing reporting timelines to help alleviate immediate pressures. The Agency also performed timely analysis and research to ensure that new targeted COVID-19 programming was reflective of regional needs and realities, including the diverse needs of southern Ontario's traditionally underrepresented groups. FedDev Ontario mobilized quickly to deliver the RRRF, RATI, the Black Entrepreneurship Program Ecosystem Fund, and the top-up to the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy Ecosystem Fund to support businesses and organizations across southern Ontario. The Agency undertook rigorous due diligence on all funded projects, including those under FedDev Ontario's core programming and increased controls were put in place for COVID-19 funding initiatives.
Supplementary tables
Reporting on Green Procurement
This supplementary information table supports reporting on green procurement activities in accordance with the Policy on Green Procurement.
1. Context
FedDev Ontariois not bound by the Federal Sustainable Development Act and chose to voluntarily contribute to Innovation Science and Economic Development's (ISED) 2020 to 2023 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy (DSDS). FedDev Ontario has contributed to ISED's corresponding 2020-21 DSDS Report, including applicable reporting on green procurement activities. This report can be found on ISED's website.
2. Commitments
| FSDS target(s) | FSDS contributing action(s) | Corresponding departmental action(s) | Starting point(s) Performance indicator(s) Target(s) | Results achieved | Contribution by each departmental result to the FSDS goal and target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| By 2030, 75% of domestic office lease transactions must be carbon neutral in situations where the federal government represents 75% or greater of the occupied space (square metres), market conditions permit and a competitive environment exists | In all new domestic office leases and lease renewals for space more than 500 square metres, landlords must report building energy and water usage and waste generated using EnergySTAR Portfolio Manager | In any new office leases and lease renewals awarded after April 1, 2025, where market conditions and a competitive environment exists, FedDev Ontario will give preference to buildings with the highest available EnergySTAR Portfolio Manager score. | All new domestic office leases and lease renewals awarded after April 1, 2025, where the federal government is the majority tenant, market conditions permit and a competitive environment exists, preference will be given to buildings with the highest available ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager score | No new office leases or lease renewals were signed in 2020-21. | FedDev Ontario did not add to the carbon footprint of federal property in 2020-21 through the addition of new domestic offices. |
| Actions supporting the Greening Government goal and the Policy on Green Procurement | Support for green procurement will be strengthened, including guidance, tools and training for public service employees | Providing green procurement training and guidance to employees at FedDev Ontario. | Starting Point: Over 50% of our procurement management team have completed the Canada Public Service Green Procurement Course (C215) Performance Indicator: % of specialists in procurement and/or materiel management who have completed the Canada Public Service Green Procurement Course (C215) or equivalent Target: 100% of our procurement management team will have completed the Canada Public Service Green Procurement Course (C215) or equivalent | 100% of our procurement management team has completed the Canada Public Service Green Procurement Course (C215) or equivalent. | Support for green procurement at FedDev Ontario has been strengthened, including guidance, tools and training for public service employees. Since green procurement incorporates environmental criteria into purchasing decisions, this helps to support the FSDS goal of greening government. |
3. Report on integrating sustainable development
During the 2020–21 reporting cycle, FedDev Ontario had no proposals that required a strategic environmental assessment (SEA) and no public statements were produced.
Details on transfer payment programs
Regional Economic Growth through Innovation
| Name of transfer payment program | Regional Economic Growth Through Innovation (REGI) -Voted Includes Women Entrepreneurship Strategy (WES) in two streams:
and the Regional Relief Recovery Fund (RRRF) |
|---|---|
| Start date | October 18, 2018 |
| End date | REGI — Ongoing WEF — March 31, 2021 WES Ecosystem Fund — March 31, 2023 RRRF — June 30, 2021 |
| Type of transfer payment | Contribution |
| Type of appropriation | Appropriated annually through Estimates |
| Fiscal year for terms and conditions | 2018–19 |
| Link to departmental results |
|
| Link to the department's Program Inventory |
|
| Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program | Regional Economic Growth Through Innovation (REGI) consolidates the existing suite of innovation programs offered by the regional development agencies (RDAs) into two nationally consistent and regionally tailored program streams. Under REGI, innovation funding programs across all of Canada's six RDAs will focus on two key streams:
The Women Entrepreneurship Strategy (WES) will support women entrepreneurs in starting and growing their business through two program streams:
The Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF) initiative provides support to help affected businesses, not-for-profit organizations and communities cope with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The fund helps by mitigating the financial pressures experienced by businesses and organizations to allow them to continue their operations through two streams:
Transfer payments will be repayable and non-repayable contributions. |
| Results achieved | In 2020–21, FedDev Ontario had an active portfolio of 80 projects with $68.8 million invested under the Business Scale-up and Productivity (BSUP) stream to accelerate business growth, assist businesses in scaling up and enhance business productivity and competitiveness in both domestic and global markets. In 2020-21, BSUP stream supported projects leveraged over $4 for every dollar invested by the Agency, supported 80 businesses, reported over $197 million in sales resulting from innovations commercialized, created 1,058 jobs and maintained 1,469 jobs. In 2020–21, FedDev Ontario had an active portfolio of 51 projects with $63.2 million invested under the Regional Innovation Ecosystems (RIE) stream to create, grow and nurture inclusive regional ecosystems that supported business needs and fostered an entrepreneurial environment conducive to innovation, growth and competitiveness. In 2020-21, RIE projects leveraged over $3 for every dollar invested by the Agency, supported more than 490 organizations and businesses, resulted in over 160 partnerships/ collaborations, as well as reported creation of 1,478 jobs and maintenance of 2,285 jobs. In 2020-21, FedDev Ontario continued to deliver the WES Ecosystem Fund, as part of the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy (WES). The Agency managed 16 regional projects and three national projects spanning over multiple years and invested $13.4 million. These 19 projects fund not-for-profit organizations to advance women entrepreneurs from underrepresented sectors or underrepresented groups in building their capacity to scale up their businesses and broaden their professional networks. In 2020–21, the WES Ecosystem Fund projects supported 1,317 women entrepreneurs in starting a new business, provided business advisory services to more than 3,300 women entrepreneur clients, and assisted 439 women entrepreneurs in growing their business abroad. In 2020-21, through the RRRF FedDev Ontario approved more than $430 million in over 1,200 projects to provide liquidity and other technical supports to over 27,000 companies and organizations across the region, which is estimated to maintain over 55,000 jobs. |
| Findings of audits completed in 2020–21 | FedDev Ontario's internal audit function has been transferred to the Office of the Comptroller General (OCG). All audits of the Regional Development Agencies (RDAs), including FedDev Ontario, are conducted by OCG in accordance with their RDA Risk-Based Audit Plan (RBAP). No REGI audit was conducted in 2020–21. An external audit of the RRRF program was initiated by OAG in fall 2020. |
| Findings of evaluations completed in 2020–21 | Not applicable. No REGI evaluation was conducted in 2020–21. |
| Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2020–21 | In 2020–21, FedDev Ontario representatives engaged with new prospective clients virtually to understand the impacts of COVID-19 pandemic. The Agency developed a framework of client flexibilities. For BSUP/RIE clients, the Agency extended timeframe for deliverables; adjusted to virtual delivery models; and gave some clients 'no match' period to support COVID relief efforts. |
| Type of transfer payment | 2018–19 Actual spending | 2019–20 Actual spending | 2020–21 Planned spending | 2020–21 Total authorities available for use | 2020–21 Actual spending (authorities used) | Variance (2020–21 actual minus2020–21 planned) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total grants | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total contributions | 20,965,906 | 141,515,351 | 150,731,623 | 490,526,634 | 490,526,634 | 339,795,011 |
| Total other types of transfer payments | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total program | 20,965,906 | 141,515,351 | 150,731,623 | 490,526,634 | 490,526,634 | 339,795,011 |
| Explanation of variances | FedDev Ontario received an additional $347.3M in 2020-21 to support the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund and a $4.7M top-up to the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy. $13.6M was transferred from REGI to SOPP to support projects identified under our core CEDD stream. | |||||
Community Futures Program
| Name of transfer payment program | Community Futures Program |
|---|---|
| Start date | 1986 |
| End date | Ongoing |
| Type of transfer payment | Contribution |
| Type of appropriation | Appropriated annually through Estimates |
| Fiscal year for terms and conditions | 2010–11 |
| Link to departmental results | Communities are economically diversified in southern Ontario |
| Link to the department's Program Inventory | Community Economic Development and Diversification |
| Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program | The Community Futures Program (CFP) provides operating funding to Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs) in southern Ontario, which assist rural communities in developing and implementing local solutions to support community economic development and the growth of small businesses. CFP has non-repayable contributions. |
| Results achieved | There are 36 CFDCs supported by the CFP. These CFDCs provided access to business counselling and loan services. In 2020-21, southern Ontario CFDCs provided $45.8 million through 629 loans to rural businesses that leveraged an additional $101.3 million. CFDCs reported these investments created 892 jobs and maintained an additional 2,722 jobs. The CFDCs also provided business services in the form of business counselling and support to 5,380 clients over the course of the year. FedDev Ontario provided $83.3 million under the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF) to help businesses and organizations mitigate financial pressures and survive from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, delivered via Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs). Under the RRRF, CFDCs further distributed funding to over 1,900 SMEs in rural areas of southern Ontario. It is estimated that this funding in 2020-21 will maintain more than 6,000 jobs in rural southern Ontario. |
| Findings of audits completed in 2020–21 | FedDev Ontario's internal audit function has been transferred to the Office of the Comptroller General (OCG). All audits of the Regional Development Agencies (RDAs), including FedDev Ontario, are conducted by OCG in accordance with their RDA Risk-Based Audit Plan (RBAP). No CFP audit was conducted in 2020–21. |
| Findings of evaluations completed in 2020–21 | Not applicable. No CFP evaluation was conducted in 2020–21. |
| Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2020–21 | FedDev Ontario engaged with southern Ontario's 36 CFDCs through active project monitoring by program officers and regular virtual meetings with individual CFDCs, Community Futures Ontario (the provincial CFDC association), and two regional CFDC networks. The Agency engaged with CFDCs regularly as they delivered the RRRF in rural communities. The Agency monitored the impacts of pandemic to get a regional understanding of variances over time (demand conditions; impact on businesses, etc.), and aligned available funding to regional demand and need. |
| Type of transfer payment | 2018–19 Actual spending | 2019–20 Actual spending | 2020–21 Planned spending | 2020–21 Total authorities available for use | 2020–21 Actual spending (authorities used) | Variance (2020–21 actual minus2020–21 planned) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total grants | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total contributions | 11,285,992 | 11,285,992 | 11,285,992 | 94,636,991 | 94,636,991 | 83,350,999 |
| Total other types of transfer payments | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total program | 11,285,992 | 11,285,992 | 11,285,992 | 94,636,991 | 94,636,991 | 83,350,999 |
| Explanation of variances | FedDev Ontario received an additional $83.3M in 2020-21 to support the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund through Community Futures Development Corporations. | |||||
Southern Ontario Prosperity Program
| Name of transfer payment program | Southern Ontario Prosperity Program |
|---|---|
| Start date | April 1, 2014 |
| End date | Ongoing |
| Type of transfer payment | Contribution |
| Type of appropriation | Appropriated annually through Estimates |
| Fiscal year for terms and conditions | 2014–15 |
| Link to departmental results | Communities are economically diversified in southern Ontario |
| Link to the department's Program Inventory | Community Economic Development and Diversification |
| Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program | The Southern Ontario Prosperity Program (SOPP) supports economic development, diversification, job creation, and economically strong communities in southern Ontario. Community Economic Development and Diversification: To generate sustainable, inclusive growth and help small and rural communities in southern Ontario to fully participate in, and benefit from economic opportunities. Economic Development Initiative: To strengthen the region's Official Language Minority Communities by promoting innovation, diversification of economic activities and partnerships, and through increased support to small businesses Canadian Experiences Fund: To help the tourism sector to innovate and grow by supporting the creation and enhancement of tourism products, facilities and experiences. This two year program was completed in 2020-21. Transfer payments are repayable and non-repayable contributions. |
| Results achieved | In 2020–21, FedDev Ontario had an active portfolio of 47 projects with $40.4 million invested under the CEDD program stream to develop, diversify and transform local communities by promoting small business development, creating and retaining employment in rural communities, enhancing the access smaller and mid-size cities have to innovation supports through investments in new commercialization projects, facilitating participation of underrepresented groups in local economies, and supporting community innovation and strategic collaborations. In 2020-21, CEDD program stream projects leveraged over $5 for every dollar invested by the Agency, supported over 300 businesses and organizations, created 812 jobs and maintained 1.695 jobs. FedDev Ontario supported Official Language Minority Communities (OLMCs) through delivery of the Economic Development Initiative (EDI). In 2020-21, the Agency invested $0.8 million in five projects that leveraged $3 for every dollar invested by the Agency, created 59 jobs and maintained 86 jobs, and delivered 1,721 training/networking sessions with 5,341 people receiving training/mentorship over the course of the year. Supporting one of the hardest-hit sectors during the pandemic, FedDev Ontario continued to deliver the Canadian Experiences Fund (CEF) to assist Canada's tourism sector, in many cases working with these organizations to implement digital offerings as an alternative to in-person events, sustaining them through the pandemic. As of March 31, 2021, the Agency had invested $9.4 million in 66 CEF projects which created 105 jobs, maintained 176 jobs, and supported 547 businesses and organizations. CEF also provided LGBTQ2 training to 1,400 businesses and organizations and market readiness training to 30 Indigenous businesses. In 2020–21, FedDev Ontario provided additional support to tourism businesses and organizations specifically impacted by the pandemic. This funding was provided for tourism adaptation and recovery projects in tourism dependent communities, with a portion of the program budget assisting inclusive growth and recovery for Francophone and Indigenous tourism operators. FedDev Ontario invested $9.9 million in 18 tourism projects which created over 1,000 jobs, maintained over 3,000 jobs, and supported 331 businesses and organizations. |
| Findings of audits completed in 2020–21 | FedDev Ontario's internal audit function has been transferred to the Office of the Comptroller General (OCG). All audits of the Regional Development Agencies (RDAs), including FedDev Ontario, are conducted by OCG in accordance with their RDA Risk-Based Audit Plan (RBAP). No SOPP audit was conducted in 2020–21. |
| Findings of evaluations completed in 2020–21 | An evaluation of the Southern Ontario Prosperity Program (SOPP) was completed in 2020–21, which found that there is a strong, continued need for SOPP programs particularly amongst under-represented groups and in rural communities. The evaluation found that nearly 90% of the SOPP-funded projects were either successful or very successful in achievement of their goals in strengthening strategic clusters and supporting businesses in communities across southern Ontario. A matched-pairs analysis conducted by Statistics Canada showed that businesses supported by Agency, particularly those receiving direct funding, grew faster than similar non-assisted companies in terms of revenues, employment, productivity and R&D expenditures, and were more likely to still be in operation three years after receiving assistance. The evaluation recommended improving Agency's performance reporting metrics and processes, and enhancing support for certain target groups/areas, particularly women, Indigenous businesses, youth entrepreneurs and rural regions. |
| Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2020–21 | In 2020–21, FedDev Ontario representatives engaged with new prospective clients virtually to understand the impacts of COVID-19 pandemic. The Agency developed a framework of client flexibilities. For CEDD clients, the Agency extended timeframe for deliverables; adjusted to virtual delivery models; etc. |
| Type of transfer payment | 2018–19 Actual spending | 2019–20 Actual spending | 2020–21 Planned spending | 2020–21 Total authorities available for use | 2020–21 Actual spending (authorities used) | Variance (2020–21 actual minus2020–21 planned) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total grants | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total contributions | 133,286,684 | 79,698,447 | 55,453,464 | 69,117,453 | 69,117,453 | 13,663,989 |
| Total other types of transfer payments | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total program | 133,286,684 | 79,698,447 | 55,453,464 | 69,117,453 | 69,117,453 | 13,663,989 |
| Explanation of variances | $13.6M was transferred from REGI to SOPP to support projects identified under our core CEDD stream, as approved by the Minister to support tourism-related businesses and organizations. | |||||
Gender-based analysis plus
Table 1: Institutional GBA+ Capacity
FedDev Ontario continued to leverage the Agency's Gender-Based Analysis Plus (GBA+) strategy to inform departmental decision-making, which includes short, medium and long-term actions to implement GBA+ across all functions of the Agency. As part of this plan, the GBA+ Responsibility Centre, which is composed of nine GBA+ focal points, continued to support the GBA+ Champion to implement GBA+ across key functions of the Agency. FedDev Ontario also has a Diversity, Inclusiveness and Employment Equity Champion who is supported by a committee of ambassadors. The Agency's work around diversity and inclusion supports FedDev Ontario to advance GBA+ commitments.
During 2020-21, FedDev Ontario held a successful Agency-wide GBA+ trivia event, which was based on the Department of Women and Gender Equality's (WAGE's) introductory GBA+ training. This event built on a GBA+ training event that the Agency held in 2019-20 to encourage staff to complete WAGE's introductory GBA+ training. In addition, within FedDev Ontario all executives and nearly 80% of staff have completed unconscious bias training.
The Agency also commissioned Ryerson's Diversity Institute to undertake a review of FedDev Ontario's outreach, engagement and program delivery approaches to determine whether the Agency has any unconscious biases - advice from the Institute has been reflected in the Agency's Diversity and Inclusion action plan. Additionally, FedDev Ontario worked with the Diversity Institute to hold a number of inclusive growth workshops for staff – alternatively, a suite of Canada School of Public Service online inclusive growth courses were also offered to staff who were unable to participate in a workshop session.
FedDev Ontario was also an active advocate for the Government's 50–30 Challenge that seeks to work with businesses and organizations to remove systemic barriers that create inequity to achieve full economic benefits possible in the Canadian economy. FedDev Ontario will continue this advocacy as part of the Agency's actions to strengthen its connections with the diverse populations engaged in business growth, innovation and entrepreneurship in southern Ontario.
Table 2: Gender and Diversity Impacts, by Program
Core Responsibility: Economic development in southern Ontario
Business Scale-up and Productivity (BSUP) stream
Target Population:
Specific region (southern Ontario) or sectors of the economy
Distribution of Benefits by Gender:
FedDev Ontario program distribution of benefits are broadly gender-balanced.
| Key Impacts: Statistics | Observed ResultsFootnote * | Data Source | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of businesses supported which are majority led by a member of underrepresented group, such as Indigenous peoples, women, youth, Black people and other racialized groups, and persons with disabilities. | 86 | FedDev Ontario internal system | none |
| Dollar value of FedDev Ontario investment in businesses supported which are majority led by a member of underrepresented group, such as Indigenous peoples, women, youth, Black people and other racialized groups, and persons with disabilities. | $43.8 million | FedDev Ontario internal system | none |
| Key Impacts: Other FedDev Ontario's programs and services are designed to advance diversity and support inclusive growth across southern Ontario. To better understand and measure the reach of the Agency's programs, FedDev Ontario continued to leverage its core funding application form, which includes a voluntary declaration section for underrepresented groups (including women, Indigenous peoples, Official Language Minority Communities, youth, persons with disabilities, newcomers, visible minorities and LGBTQ2 communities). FedDev Ontario also expanded this model to include similar voluntary declaration sections for underrepresented groups in new program application forms, including for the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund and the Regional Air Transportation Initiative. Additionally, to create conditions for inclusive regional economic development, the Agency continued to advance efforts to establish more robust GBA+ practices at the project assessment phase and continued to invest in projects that advance the economic participation of underrepresented groups. FedDev Ontario also undertook work on the Agency's core contribution agreements to integrate diversity and inclusion considerations, which will come into effect in 2021-22. | |||
Core Responsibility: Economic development in southern Ontario
Community Economic Development and Diversification (CEDD) stream
Target Population:
Specific region (southern Ontario) or sectors of the economy.
Distribution of Benefits by Gender:
FedDev Ontario program distribution of benefits are broadly gender-balanced.
| Key Impacts: Statistics | Observed ResultsFootnote * | Data Source | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of businesses supported which are majority led by a member of underrepresented group, such as Indigenous peoples, women, youth, Black people and other racialized groups, and persons with disabilities. | 747 | FedDev Ontario internal system | none |
| Dollar value of FedDev Ontario investment in businesses supported which are majority led by a member of underrepresented group, such as Indigenous peoples, women, youth, Black people and other racialized groups, and persons with disabilities. | $175.6 million | FedDev Ontario internal system | none |
| Key Impacts: Other FedDev Ontario's programs and services are designed to advance diversity and support inclusive growth across southern Ontario. To better understand and measure the reach of the Agency's programs, FedDev Ontario continued to leverage its core funding application form, which includes a voluntary declaration section for underrepresented groups (including women, Indigenous peoples, Official Language Minority Communities, youth, persons with disabilities, newcomers, visible minorities and LGBTQ2 communities). FedDev Ontario also expanded this model to include similar voluntary declaration sections for underrepresented groups in new program application forms, including for the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund and the Regional Air Transportation Initiative. Additionally, to create conditions for inclusive regional economic development, the Agency continued to advance efforts to establish more robust GBA+ practices at the project assessment phase and continued to invest in projects that advance the economic participation of underrepresented groups. FedDev Ontario also undertook work on the Agency's core contribution agreements to integrate diversity and inclusion considerations, which will come into effect in 2021-22. | |||
Core Responsibility: Economic development in southern Ontario
Regional Innovation Ecosystem (RIE) stream
Target Population:
Specific region (southern Ontario) or sectors of the economy
Distribution of Benefits by Gender:
FedDev Ontario program distribution of benefits are broadly gender-balanced.
| Key Impacts: Statistics | Observed ResultsFootnote * | Data Source | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of projects supported which are majority led by a member of underrepresented group, such as Indigenous peoples, women, youth, Black people and other racialized groups, and persons with disabilities. | 34 | FedDev Ontario internal system | none |
| Dollar value of FedDev Ontario investment in projects which are majority led by a member of underrepresented group, such as Indigenous peoples, women, youth, Black people and other racialized groups, and persons with disabilities. | $34.1 million | FedDev Ontario internal system | none |
| Key Impacts: Other FedDev Ontario's programs and services are designed to advance diversity and support inclusive growth across southern Ontario. To better understand and measure the reach of the Agency's programs, FedDev Ontario continued to leverage its core funding application form, which includes a voluntary declaration section for underrepresented groups (including women, Indigenous peoples, Official Language Minority Communities, youth, persons with disabilities, newcomers, visible minorities and LGBTQ2 communities). FedDev Ontario also expanded this model to include similar voluntary declaration sections for underrepresented groups in new program application forms, including for the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund and the Regional Air Transportation Initiative. Additionally, to create conditions for inclusive regional economic development, the Agency continued to advance efforts to establish more robust GBA+ practices at the project assessment phase and continued to invest in projects that advance the economic participation of underrepresented groups. FedDev Ontario also undertook work on the Agency's core contribution agreements to integrate diversity and inclusion considerations, which will come into effect in 2021-22. | |||
Table 3: Program Links to Gender Results Framework
| - | Education and Skills Development | Economic Participation and Prosperity | Leadership and Democratic Participation | Gender-based Violence and Access to Justice | Poverty Reduction, Health and Well-Being | Gender Equality around the World |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Scale-up and Productivity (BSUP) stream | - | yes | yes | - | - | - |
| Community Economic Development Diversification (CEDD) | yes | yes | yes | - | yes | - |
| Regional Innovation Ecosystem (RIE) stream | yes | yes | yes | - | - | - |
Table 4: Program Links to Quality of Life Framework
| - | Prosperity | Health | Environment | Society | Good Governance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Scale-up and Productivity (BSUP) stream | yes | - | yes | yes | - |
| Community Economic Development Diversification (CEDD) | yes | - | yes | yes | - |
| Regional Innovation Ecosystem (RIE) stream | yes | - | yes | yes | - |
Definitions
- Target Population:
- See Finance Canada definition of Target Group in the following document: User Instructions for the GBA+ Departmental Summary – Budget 2020 - Canada.ca)
- Gender Scale:
-
- First group: Predominantly men (e.g. 80 per cent or more men)
- Second group: 60 per cent - 79 per cent men
- Third group: Broadly gender-balanced
- Forth group: 60 per cent - 79 per cent women
- Fifth group: Predominantly women (e.g. 80 per cent or more women)
- Income Level Scale:
-
- First group: Strongly benefits low income individuals (Strongly progressive)
- Second group: Somewhat benefits low income individuals (Somewhat progressive)
- Third group: No significant distributional impacts
- Forth group: Somewhat benefits high income individuals (Somewhat regressive)
- Fifth group: Strongly benefits high income individuals (Strongly regressive)
- Age Group Scale :
-
- First group: Primarily benefits youth, children and/or future generations
- Second group: No significant inter-generational impacts or impacts generation between youth and seniors
- Third group: Primarily benefits seniors or the baby boom generation
- Gender Results Framework Pillars:
- see definitions at the following page: Gender Results Framework - Women and Gender Equality Canada)
- Quality of Life Domains:
- See definitions in Annex-5-eng.pdf (budget.gc.ca)