A key part of Canada’s economic recovery is supporting businesses as they rebuild from the COVID-19 pandemic. To do so, businesses and entrepreneurs need a strong foundation, built on innovation, inclusivity, and clean growth to create the workforce of the future.
Today, the Honourable Anthony Rota, Member of Parliament for Nipissing–Timiskaming, revealed the details for a Government of Canada investment of $2,875,920 through FedNor, Infrastructure Canada and Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) to support four initiatives at Canadore College. Projects include work at Canadore’s ICAMP facility, The Village and more.
Rota says, “These projects will help unleash the economic potential of Northern Ontario’s innovation ecosystem, provide vital support seniors and pave the way to providing a sustainable source of clean drinking water to rural and remote First Nations.”
Of the total, Canadore College will receive FedNor funding of $1.1 million to establish a Concept Development Lab (CDL) at its Innovation Centre for Advanced Manufacturing and Prototyping (ICAMP) facility. This targeted investment will enhance the regional innovation ecosystem by supporting businesses and start-ups throughout the commercialization process including scale-up and product development. Over the next three years, the CDL will complete technology audits and help businesses develop and commercialize new or modified products, processes, services or technologies. This project is expected to create 44 jobs and maintain 60 more.
As part of the announcement, Canadore College will also receive FedNor funding of $750,000 to establish an Indigenous Clean Water Learning Lodge. Specifically, the investment will be used to create a comprehensive platform of technologies, services and educational programs tailored to fit First Nations needs and values, while addressing the challenges of delivering reliable and sustainable clean drinking water to remote Indigenous communities. Once fully operational, the Lodge will feature a fully operational water treatment facility and demonstration lab to showcase innovative water treatment technologies and services. This project is expected to create 25 jobs.
The announcement also includes FedNor funding of $1,000,920 to help ThinkOn establish a Digital Public Safety Centre at Canadore College. As Canada’s first and only exclusive provider of storage, computer and networking resources, ThinkOn’s North Bay facility will feature a Secret Cleared Security Operations Centre (SOC) and Digital Evidence Management (DEM) Archive. The SOC will be a highly secure facility that identifies and resolves all security events and incidents. The archive will provide secure hosting of vendor neutral digital evidence content management and archiving evidence for public safety agencies and groups in Ontario and Canada. This targeted investment will also allow ThinkOn to host a major cyber-security event to showcase North Bay as a prime location for digital technology. This priority project is expected to create 28 full-time jobs over the next two years.
Finally, ESDC through its New Horizons for Seniors Program is providing $25,000 for a community-based project to help Canadore College host information sessions on financial literacy and promote the awareness of elder abuse among seniors.
Rota says, “These projects with Canadore College are great examples of how we are helping to maximize opportunities for social and business growth, while supporting jobs a strong economy.”
President and CEO, Canadore College, George Burton says, “Canadore College has been and will continue to be the catalyst for change in many areas, and we take our responsibility as a social and economic leader very seriously. The projects being announced today will ensure the College continues to address critical social issues, while at the same time producing the skilled workers necessary to fill existing shortages and increase productivity. We thank the Government of Canada for its continued support, and the financial commitments towards these endeavours.”
President and CEO, ThinkOn, Craig McLellan says, “We were purposeful in selecting North Bay for the establishment of our Global Command Centre. North Bay is a welcoming and supportive community. It offers a superior quality of life and excellent infrastructure on which to grow our business. In collaboration with Canadore College, we plan to grow a pool of local talent through a combination of excellent education and real-world work experience. As a Canadian company, passionate about developing homegrown cyber-security talent, we look forward to forging educational partnerships with Canadore and The First Peoples’ Centre.”
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