Minister Goodyear Visits Georgina to Discuss Future Plans for Jobs, Growth and Long-Term Prosperity

GEORGINA, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Sept. 4, 2013) - The Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), along with Peter Van Loan, Member of Parliament for York-Simcoe, was in the Toronto area today to discuss the role of FedDev Ontario in the region and seek input on future Agency programs for southern Ontario.

"Our Government is focused on the priorities of Canadians, including creating jobs and strengthening the economy here in southern Ontario," said Minister Goodyear. "I'm pleased to be here in York-Simcoe with my colleague MP Van Loan to participate in a roundtable discussion to make certain we continue to create programs that help the businesses and workers in this community."

"I am very glad to welcome Minister Goodyear to York-Simcoe," said MP Van Loan. "Our discussions today focused on generating prosperity and a healthy economic climate and I am glad that the Minister shares our vision for creating this climate in southern Ontario."

Minister Goodyear and MP Van Loan started the day with a tour of the Creative Community Hub in the Town of Georgina which received $990,000 in FedDev Ontario funding towards creating a community hub in downtown Sutton. The pair finished off the day with a roundtable discussion at South Lake Community Futures Development Corporation.

At today's roundtable, stakeholders provided their views on potential areas of focus for FedDev Ontario programs including: support for innovation and commercialization, business growth, productivity and communities.

Since its launch in 2009, FedDev Ontario has made significant progress in creating jobs and growing the economy. However, southern Ontario remains under considerable pressure, and more than ever our businesses and workers need to be more innovative and productive, and must strive to access new markets.

In Economic Action Plan 2013, the Government of Canada demonstrated its continued commitment to workers, families and communities in southern Ontario with the renewal of FedDev Ontario.

Economic Action Plan 2013 provides $920 million for FedDev Ontario over five years, including $200 million for a new Advanced Manufacturing Fund in Ontario, starting on April 1, 2014.

FedDev Ontario will also continue to promote business development, job creation and self-reliant communities in rural eastern Ontario by extending the Eastern Ontario Development Program for five years.

With renewed funding, FedDev Ontario will continue to act as a champion for the region by supporting the development of a prosperous and globally competitive southern Ontario economy.

Details of new programming will be posted on the Agency's website at www.FedDevOntario.gc.ca as they become available, so stakeholders are encouraged to check back regularly.

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