The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for FedNor, today announced a FedNor investment of $181,800 in support of four youth internship positions in Northern Ontario.

“These internships will provide a fair chance for young people in Northern Ontario to develop their skills and fully participate in our economy. This is part of our plan to grow an economy in our region that works for every generation, so that young people can grow up in Northern Ontario with equitable opportunities.”

-       The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for FedNor, and Member of Parliament for Thunder Bay—Superior North

“These FedNor funds and the support of the Government of Canada will help us continue working toward a growing, sustainable, and self-sufficient Northern Ontario. Our mission is to enhance Northern Ontario's capacity to take the lead position on socio-economic policy, and youth internship positions help prepare and empower the thinkers of today and tomorrow to that end. Like the region, our success depends on partnerships, and the resources these positions will provide will help us build and expand cooperation across Northern Ontario.”

-       Charles Cirtwill, President & CEO, Northern Policy Institute

“Lakehead University is proud to support and develop the leaders of tomorrow for Northwestern Ontario and beyond. This FedNor investment for research interns at the Lakehead University Agricultural Research Station is going to help us continue to advance agri-food research and strengthen the region’s competitive edge. It is through dynamic opportunities such as this that we will help create success for our students, the university, and Northern Ontario.”

-       Dr. Andrew Dean, Vice President Research and Innovation, Lakehead University

“Youth internships are a great way to support dynamic and collaborative networks that foster innovation and sustainability. We are happy to work with FedNor in creating opportunities to lead development now and going forward. CRIBE is Ontario’s leading forest-based innovation accelerator, and youth internship positions will help us continue to promote a sustainable, socially responsible, and profitable forest bio-economy.”

-       Chris Walton, CEO, Centre for Research and Innovation in the Bio-Economy

• The funds announced today are provided through FedNor’s Northern Ontario Development Program (NODP), through which FedNor invests in projects led by municipalities, First Nations, and other organizations and institutions that support community economic development, diversification, job creation and self-reliant communities in Northern Ontario.

• The Northern Policy Institute (NPI) is a non-partisan, independent, evidence-driven think tank that performs research, data analysis, and disseminates ideas.

  • NPI maintains permanent locations in Thunder Bay and Kirkland Lake, with a satellite office in North Bay. During the summer months, satellite offices in other regions of Northern Ontario are staffed by teams of Experience North placements. These placements are for university and college students working in community on issues important to residents.

• Lakehead University is a comprehensive post-secondary institution with campuses in Thunder and Orillia.

  • The Lakehead University Agricultural Research Station (LUARS) works to foster innovation and expansion of agri-food research. LUARS is committed to the establishment, operation, promotion, and transfer of agricultural research for the further development and diversification of the agricultural industry through small plot research and extension, community-based agricultural research, and natural resource management.

• The Centre for Research and Innovation in the Bio-Economy (CRIBE) an independent not-for profit organization based in Thunder Bay with a mandate to act as a catalyst to support innovation and development of the new forest product bioeconomy in Ontario. CRIBE brings together researchers, the forest sector, and end users to create and commercialize innovative forest-based, low-carbon solutions.

Associated links

• To find out more about our programs and services, please visit: fednor.canada.ca
• Follow us on Twitter @FedNor

Jennifer Kozelj
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for FedNor
jennifer.kozelj@sac-isc.gc.ca

Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario
Media Relations