Our Role

Building a Stronger Economy – Together

The Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) will help Southern Ontario communities and businesses diversify and strengthen their local economies, by helping them to become more competitive, innovative and productive. Through FedDev Ontario, we will provide the tools for our regional partners to build on their strengths, positioning Southern Ontario to succeed in the emerging, knowledge-based economy.

Announced in Canada's Economic Action Plan

In Canada's Economic Action Plan, the Government of Canada committed to providing short‑term stimulus to communities hardest hit by the recession while delivering long-term funding designed to promote economic growth, job creation and innovation. This included $1 billion over five years for a new development agency for Southern Ontario.

On August 13, 2009, Prime Minister Stephen Harper formally launched FedDev Ontario to help workers, communities and businesses in Southern Ontario position themselves to take advantage of opportunities, as economic growth recovers in Canada and around the world.

Getting Started

In its first year of operation, FedDev Ontario will focus on putting economic development programs into action. We will use existing programs and partnerships initially to expedite the provision of funds. Funding in the first year will be approximately $206 million and will be focused on support for economic and community development, innovation, and economic diversification, with contributions to communities, businesses and non-profit organizations. This will start money flowing immediately into Southern Ontario communities and businesses.

Looking to the Future

As we move forward, our focus will be on creating a leading-edge manufacturing sector; supporting innovation and commercialization; and sustaining community economic development activities. We want businesses to succeed and grow not simply because success will mean more — and better jobs — for workers today, but because it will set the stage for the prosperity of our region and our country tomorrow.