In the latest of a continuing series of spending announcements as the October federal election draws near, Canada’s Liberal government announced Aug. 1 that economic development efforts in Northern Manitoba would be receiving up to about $3.3 million.
The largest portion of this – $1,567,500 – is going to Communities Economic Development Fund (CEDF) to support its initiatives to spur economic growth in Northern Manitoba and develop key industries in the region.
CEDF CEO Oswald Sawh says this funding will be used to help complete work associated with the Manitoba provincial government’s Look North regional economic development strategy, which will involve a lot of close consultation with Northern Manitoba communities.
“It’s very labour intensive,” said Sawh. “It’s going to really help us in regards to having more resources available. We need to have those resources to be able to go into the communities, work with local leadership, and work with entrepreneurs to help their dreams become reality.”
Sawh says there are opportunities in many northern communities to open businesses to enable people to buy products and services they need at home instead of going to another community for them and that doing so can keep dollars circulating locally and spur further economic growth.
“We’re trying to encourage a culture of commerce,” he said.
The federal government also announced that University College of the North (UCN) would be receiving nearly $1.5 million to pilot a business incubator, digital prototyping facility and business start-up services in Northern Manitoba.
“Much of this service will be virtual,” said UCN president Doug Lauvstad, and therefore available to entrepreneurs throughout Manitoba’s north. “Universities are able to provide services to people with new ideas and who are looking for mentoring support, research. That’s the role we are playing.”
UCN is also receiving $250,000 for a youth entrepreneurship program that will be based in Flin Flon and focus on The Pas and Flin Flon areas.
“We’ve got somebody on board and are starting the early stages of setting a two-year plan," Lauvstad said. “We will be starting the setup and strategizing and various logistics and staffing.”
The UCN president said he hopes the program can expand its reach in the future and that UCN is open to expanding it to where the need or interest is.
“Western Canada can lead the way towards an economy that works for all Canadians,” said Innovation, Science and Economic Development Minister Navdeep Bains, whose portfolio includes Western Economic Diversification Canada, the regional economic development agency that is funding these initiatives. “To do this, the government of Canada is working with post-secondary institutions, industry and other partners needed to improve education and training programs, support business growth and create well-paid jobs.”
Lauvstad said the programs UCN received funding for are focused on providing Northern Manitobans with the technology skills needed to participate in the digital economy.
“Colleges in particular train for the workplace and these days the workplace is digital,” he said. “I think the north is playing a little bit of catch-up with the rest of the globe when it comes to digital technology. This is our entry into that kind of space.”
