TORONTO—The Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry, announced on Tuesday that it is investing $1.9 million in Forestry and Mining sector to promote and facilitate job creation and business expansion in Northern Ontario.
Through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) the government is providing funding to seven projects that support and strengthen forestry and mining in Northern Ontario. Funds are earmarked to go towards the purchase of equipment, upgrading facilities, and establishing new businesses.
We want our forestry and mining sectors – as well as the companies that support and service these important industries – to be competitive, innovative and current,” said Greg Rickford, Minister of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry. “Today’s funding is making that happen, while also bringing good jobs and investment to the people and communities of Northern Ontario.”
This investment will build a stronger Ontario by creating jobs, expanding business operations and boosting economic development in the North.
Caroline Dubreuil Director, R.C.M.D. Contracting was thankful to hear about this funding and stated, "We are thankful to have received the NOHFC funding from the Ontario government to help us with the prompt growth of our company. Having two blooming gold mines in less than 14 kilometres, we really needed to upgrade our quantity of equipment and employees. With the effect of COVID's high rising prices, this funding could not have come at a better time. Merci beaucoup!"
Examples of projects receiving NOHFC funding include:
- $352,226 for RCMD Contracting Inc. – a road maintenance, road building and heavy equipment construction company in Dubreuilville – to purchase equipment
- $147,510 for Stobie Mechanical & Welding – a heavy equipment repair, maintenance and fabrication services business in Echo Bay – to upgrade its workshop and purchase equipment
- $85,950 to establish BP Logging Inc. – a wood harvesting company in Geraldton.
“I would like to thank the Ontario government for investing and believing in our company. Through the assistance provided by the NOHFC, BP Logging Inc. was able to start up a forestry business by purchasing a processor to meet the demand for harvesting capacity and grow the next generation of the forestry industry”, was the reaction given by Brian Pelletier, President, BP Logging Inc.
Ironically, the Minister of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry, Greg Rickford’s announcement comes on the heals of the second week of 30-day environment hearing, regarding the impact that the proposed Generations mining palladium and copper mine, in Marathon, ON.
The NOHFC promotes economic prosperity across Northern Ontario by providing financial assistance to projects, regardless of size, that help to stimulate growth, job creation and skills development. Since June 2018, the NOHFC has invested more than $473 million in 4,244 projects in Northern Ontario, supporting more than $1.5 billion in investment and creating or sustaining over 6,600 jobs.