TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - July 23, 2015) - Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
(FedDev Ontario)

Member of Parliament for Etobicoke-Lakeshore Bernard Trottier, on behalf of FedDev Ontario Minister Gary Goodyear, today announced an investment that will benefit Francophone and bilingual organizations across Ontario.

FedDev Ontario is providing up to $47,000 to the Réseau de Développement économique et d'employabilité de l'Ontario (RDÉE Ontario) to initiate an Ontario Francophone Agri-food Network. This project will help strengthen the economic base, and the sustainability and competitiveness of small- and medium-sized enterprises in Official Language Minorities.

The Agri-food Network will facilitate interactions and increase partnership possibilities and sales opportunities between producers, manufacturers, buyers and distributors. Coordination between Francophone and bilingual businesses will intensify, leading to greater participation in national and global markets.

Once established, the Ontario Francophone Agri-food Network will provide marketing and promotion services for Francophone agri-food SMEs. It will encourage collaborations and partnerships, as well as promote the diversification of SMEs by offering services to its members.

Quick Facts

• An Ontario Agri-food Network will increase the ability of Francophone agri-food businesses in Ontario to capitalize on the trade and export opportunities arising from the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement between Canada and the European Union.
• RDÉE Ontario is a not-for-profit organization established in 1999. Its mission is to promote economic development and employability in order to ensure the vitality and sustainability of all Francophone communities in Ontario. The organization encourages the growth of francophone communities and facilitates Francophone economic development, community capacity building, and the creation of sustainable employment.
• With the Ontario Francophone Agri-food Network, RDÉE Ontario will strengthen its capacity and knowledge to serve the agri-food sector, expand services to clients, and increase its profile and presence within southern Ontario's Francophone community.
• Through the Economic Development Initiative, FedDev Ontario will invest up to $4 million in funding to strengthen innovation, entrepreneurship, partnerships, and the diversification of economic activities in official language minority communities.

Quotes

"Our Government is committed to supporting Francophone businesses and small- and medium-sized enterprises across Ontario. This funding will enable RDÉE Ontario to become a stronger player in Ontario's agri-food sector and increase its profile and presence within Ontario's Francophone community."

- Bernard Trottier, Member of Parliament for Etobicoke-Lakeshore

"RDÉE Ontario will mobilize key agri-food industry players, increase coordination within the industry sector and enable francophone SMEs to increase their participation in Ontario's economy."

- Gisèle Pham, Interim President, RDÉE Ontario

Associated Links

Economic Development Initiative

Roadmap for Canada's Official Languages 2013-2018.

RDÉE Ontario

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