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Introduction

All government institutions subject to the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act (the Acts) publish information about their functions, programs, activities and related information holdings at least once a year. This information can assist individuals, as well as current and former employees of the government in making an access to information or personal information request or to exercise their rights under the Privacy Act.

Information about Government of Canada information holdings, including an index of government institutions subject to the Acts, can be found at the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat website, Information about programs and information holdings.

The Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act assign overall responsibility for the government-wide administration of the legislation to the President of the Treasury Board as the designated Minister.

Background

The Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario (FedNor) was established on August 12, 2021, to strengthen the economic development of Northern Ontario. The agency was previously positioned as an initiative under Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) and was formed in 1987 to promote economic development in areas of low income and slow economic growth; emphasize long-term economic development and sustainable employment and income creation; and focus on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the development of entrepreneurial talent.

FedNor was established as a standalone agency through Order in Council P.C. 2021-0840 dated August 6, 2021, and coming into force on August 12, 2021, (1) transferring from the Department of Industry to the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario the control and supervision of that portion of the federal public administration in the Department of Industry known as the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario; and (2) ordering the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages to preside over the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario.

Order in Council P.C. 2021-0841 dated August 6, 2021, and coming into force on August 12, 2021, amending SCHEDULE IV TO THE FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION ACT by adding Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario to the Schedule of that Act.

Other Orders in Council brought FedNor under relevant legislation, such as the Public Service Employment Act, Access to Information Act and Privacy Act.

The source of FedNor's authority remains the Department of Industry Act, which must be read in conjunction with the relevant Orders in Council.

The Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry also presides as the Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario.

Responsibilities

Additional information on FedNor's mandate, its role, and its programs is available on the agency's website.

Institutional programs and activities

1. Program: Community Economic Development and Diversification

This program promotes economic development and diversification, job creation, and sustainable, self-reliant communities in Northern Ontario. This includes direct and indirect financial support provided through the Northern Ontario Development Program and the Economic Development Initiative for Official Language Minority Communities.

1.1 Community Economic Development and Diversification

Recognizing the unique challenges facing Northern Ontario communities, many of which are small, rural and remote, FedNor targets its support to help them create the conditions necessary for economic growth and development. This includes funding projects such as strategic community and business planning, strengthening of community industrial and business assets, implementation of priority initiatives, as well as support for youth internships.

1.2 Community Investment Initiative for Northern Ontario

Funding is available for small communities or First Nation, Métis or Inuit organizations to hire a qualified individual to help develop the local economy. This economic development professional will work to foster opportunities and partnerships in the region and help implement strategies that seek to strengthen the community and create jobs.

1.3 Economic Development Initiative

In Northern Ontario, the Economic Development Initiative (EDI) provides funding for projects that encourage economic growth in the region's Francophone communities and that capitalize on economic opportunities made possible through the use of both official languages. Eligible recipients include Francophone or other organizations located in Northern Ontario that undertake project activities in both official languages, and provide programs or services in French. The EDI is an incremental programming initiative that supports economic development activities and approaches that respond directly to related priorities of official language minority communities and/or that address linguistic duality issues.

1.4 Tourism Growth Program

The Tourism Growth Program (TGP) is a national program that is delivered by FedNor in Northern Ontario. The TGP aims to help Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities, small and medium-sized businesses and not-for-profit organizations diversify regional economies by investing in local tourism products and experiences that will encourage visitation to and within Northern Ontario. The TGP contributes to the Federal Tourism Growth Strategy, which charts a course for long-term growth, investment, and stability in Canada's tourism industry.

1.5 Regional Air Transportation Initiative

Under the Regional Air Transportation Initiative, FedNor provided financial support over two years to eligible regional businesses and airports in Northern Ontario that directly contributed to regional air transportation. The initiative was designed to help ensure that regional air connectivity and services affected by the economic impacts of COVID-19 were maintained and that regional routes were reconnected across the country. The initiative closed in March 2022.

1.6 Canada Community Revitalization Fund

The Canada Community Revitalization Fund (CCRF) was a national infrastructure program to revitalize communities across Canada. Under the CCRF, FedNor provided funding for projects to help revitalize downtown cores and main streets; reinvent outdoor spaces; create green infrastructure; and increase the accessibility of community spaces. The fund closed in March 2023.

1.7 Tourism Relief Fund

The Tourism Relief Fund was a temporary program to support the tourism sector in Canada by helping businesses and organizations to adapt their operations to meet public health requirements, improve their products and services, and position themselves for post-pandemic economic recovery. The fund closed in March 2023.

Class of records for grants and contributions under Community Economic Development and Diversification

Description: Includes documents created, gathered and retained concerning the design, implementation and management of grants and contributions under the terms and conditions of NODP. The documents may contain information on the program, its management, processing applications, the payment process and project monitoring. They may also contain financial and corporate information on applicants, shareholder information, project descriptions, and payment and recovery information. They may also include consultations with experts or other government institutions, environmental assessments, and information about meetings, media reports and results.

Document types: Includes applications for financial assistance, agreements, legal notices, correspondence, newspaper clippings, audit reports, evaluation reports, program analysis reports, policy statements, priority statements, intervention parameters, regional strategies, financial reports, repayment schedules, meeting minutes, statements of work, project fact sheet for news releases, project summary forms, letters of intent, letters of offer, funding guidelines, manuals, briefing notes, Question Period notes for the House of Commons, business plans, marketing plans, communication plans/documents, Internet site, memoranda of understanding, publications, research reports, bid results reports, client follow-up reports, credit check reports, audit reports, miscellaneous reports and recommendations.

Disclosure summaries: Personal information may be shared with the Canada Revenue Agency for the recovery or collection of indebtedness to the Crown in accordance with subsection 155(1) of the Financial Administration Act.

Record number: FedNor 101

Personal Information Bank for FedNor grants and contributions

Description: This bank describes personal information collected in support of requests for grants and contributions to confirm that the recipient is entitled to the program funding and has respected the requirements of the contribution agreement. The personal information may include name, contact information, financial information, language preference, biographical information, citizenship status, criminal checks or history, educational information, signature, date of birth, gender and photographs.

Class of individuals: Includes individuals applying for funding, sole proprietors, partners in a business and employees of businesses, small and medium-sized enterprises, communities and organizations, and government employees.

Purpose: The personal information is collected to assess and process requests for funding in accordance with the Financial Administration Act.

Consistent uses: The names of successful applicants and selected relevant information are included in public records and published on the Open Government website in accordance with the Government of Canada's proactive disclosure practices. With consent, some personal information is published in FedNor's success stories. Information may be used for internal audit, evaluation and reporting purposes. As required, information is shared with the Canada Revenue Agency (Minister of National Revenue) for the recovery or collection of indebtedness to the Crown in accordance with subsection 155(1) of the Financial Administration Act.

Retention and disposal standards: The information is retained for at least eight years and then either destroyed or transferred to Library and Archives Canada.

Disposition Authorization number: MIDA 2015/003

Related record number: FedNor 101, FedNor 102 and FedNor 103

TBS registration: Pending

Bank number: FedNor PPU 001

2. Program: Regional Innovation Ecosystem

This program aims to create, grow and develop strong and inclusive regional networks that support business growth and innovation. This includes direct and indirect support through the Regional Economic Growth through Innovation program.

2.1 Regional Innovation Ecosystems

Funding under this program stream helps create, grow and develop strong and inclusive regional networks that support business growth and innovation. This will foster the entrepreneurial environment necessary for more innovative regional economies and increase the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). In part, this stream seeks to further enhance business support networks for under-represented groups—including women, Indigenous (First Nation/Métis/Inuit) Peoples and young entrepreneurs—promoting their entrepreneurial talent.

2.2 Black Entrepreneurship Program

The Black Entrepreneurship Program (BEP) is a partnership between the Government of Canada, Black-led business organizations, and financial institutions. In Northern Ontario, FedNor delivers the Ecosystem Fund, a component of the BEP. Its goal is to strengthen the entrepreneurship ecosystem for Black entrepreneurs and business owners. It enables not-for-profit, Black-led organizations to develop new services or expand those they already offer such as mentorship, networking, financial planning, and business training for Black entrepreneurs.

2.3 WES Ecosystem Fund

The WES Ecosystem Fund helped to strengthen capacity within the entrepreneurship ecosystem and close gaps in service for women entrepreneurs. Projects were led by non-profit organizations (including social enterprises and cooperatives) and were inclusive of the needs of diverse and under-represented women. This fund closed in March 2023.

Class of records for grants and contributions under the Regional Innovation Ecosystem

Description: Includes records related to the processing of applications, the disbursement of funding and the monitoring of projects. Records may include company profiles, financial information, project descriptions, proposals, recovery information, advance payment requests, shareholder information, proof of payments and verification of contracts and contribution agreements compliance. Records may also include consultations with other government institutions, credit checks, environmental impact assessments, possible media coverage relating to specific projects, reports on results obtained and reports from recipients related to the determination of whether the agreement has been respected.

Document types: Includes agreements, legal notices, correspondence, newspaper clippings, applications for financial assistance, audit reports, evaluation reports, program analysis reports, policy statements, priority statements, intervention parameters, regional strategies, financial reports, repayment schedules, meeting minutes, statements of work, project summary forms, letters of intent, letters of offer, funding guidelines, manuals, briefing notes, Question Period notes for the House of Commons, business plans, marketing plans, communication plans/documents, Internet site, memoranda of understanding, publications, research reports, bid results reports, client follow-up reports, credit check reports, audit reports, miscellaneous reports and recommendations.

Disclosure summaries: Personal information may be shared with the Canada Revenue Agency for the recovery or collection of indebtedness to the Crown in accordance with subsection 155(1) of the Financial Administration Act.

Record number: FedNor 102

Personal Information Bank for FedNor grants and contributions

Description: This bank describes personal information collected in support of requests for grants and contributions to confirm that the recipient is entitled to the program funding and has respected the requirements of the contribution agreement. The personal information may include name, contact information, financial information, language preference, biographical information, citizenship status, criminal checks or history, educational information, signature, date of birth, gender and photographs.

Class of individuals: Includes individuals applying for funding, sole proprietors, partners in a business and employees of businesses, small and medium-sized enterprises, communities and organizations, and government employees.

Purpose: The personal information is collected to assess and process requests for funding in accordance with the Financial Administration Act.

Consistent uses: The names of successful applicants and selected relevant information are included in public records and published on the Open Government website in accordance with the Government of Canada's proactive disclosure practices. With consent, some personal information is published in FedNor's success stories. Information may be used for internal audit, evaluation and reporting purposes. As required, information is shared with the Canada Revenue Agency (Minister of National Revenue) for the recovery or collection of indebtedness to the Crown in accordance with subsection 155(1) of the Financial Administration Act.

Retention and disposal standards: The information is retained for at least eight years and then either destroyed or transferred to Library and Archives Canada.

Disposition Authorization number: MIDA 2015/003

Related record number: FedNor 101, FedNor 102 and FedNor 103

TBS registration: Pending

Bank number: FedNor PPU 001

3. Program: Business Development

This program promotes the growth and expansion of small and medium-sized enterprises in Northern Ontario. This includes direct support to businesses provided under the Community Futures Program, and direct and indirect support provided by the Regional Economic Growth through Innovation program.

3.1 Business Scale-up and Productivity

Funding offered under this program stream helps businesses at various stages of development, including high-growth firms, to accelerate growth and adopt innovative technologies that support scale-up, commercialization, productivity and market expansion to become more competitive globally.

3.2 Targeted Manufacturing Initiative for Northern Ontario

FedNor is committed to supporting Northern Ontario's economy by encouraging businesses to become more innovative, productive and competitive. FedNor can help existing manufacturers upgrade and improve capital equipment used in manufacturing processes, including information and communications technology, to improve their competitiveness and productivity.

3.3 Regional Homebuilding Innovation Initiative for Northern Ontario

Funding under this program is supporting new approaches for building houses, including designing and upscaling modular homes, the use of three-dimensional printing, mass timber construction, panelized construction, as well as implementing net-zero and climate-resilient homebuilding practices.

3.4 Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative

Funding under this program is to bring new technologies to market and help accelerate artificial intelligence adoption in critical sectors, such as agriculture, health sciences, manufacturing, mining and forestry in Northern Ontario.

3.5 Community Futures Program

Through the national Community Futures Program, FedNor supports 24 Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs) located throughout Northern Ontario. These community-based, not-for-profit organizations are staffed by professionals and are each governed by a local volunteer board of directors familiar with their communities' needs, concerns and future development priorities. The CFDCs offer a wide variety of programs and services supporting community economic development and small business growth. In particular, they provide strategic community planning and socio-economic development; business information and planning services; and access to capital for small and medium-sized businesses and social enterprises.

3.6 Jobs and Growth Fund

The Jobs and Growth Fund provided funding to businesses and organizations to help create jobs and position local economies for long-term growth. FedNor delivered this fund to position the regional economies for long-term growth by transitioning to a green economy, fostering an inclusive recovery, enhancing competitiveness, and creating jobs in Northern Ontario. The fund closed in March 2024.

3.7 Regional Relief and Recovery Fund

The Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF) was part of Canada's COVID-19 Economic Response Plan. The RRRF provided grants and contributions to businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, which had been rejected by or were unable to access other federal pandemic support programs, or that continued to have liquidity needs. FedNor also provided funding under the RRRF to some businesses and communities to cope with and recover from the pandemic. The fund closed March 31, 2022.

3.8 Aerospace Regional Recovery Initiative

The Aerospace Regional Recovery Initiative provided support to small and medium-sized enterprises to green their operations and adopt environmentally sustainable practices; to improve their productivity; and to strengthen commercialization while furthering their integration into regional and global supply chains. This fund closed in March 2024.

3.9 Women Entrepreneurship Fund

The objective of the Women Entrepreneurship Fund was to provide financial support to women to grow their businesses and facilitate their pursuits of opportunities in markets abroad. This fund closed on March 2021.

Class of records for grants and contributions under Business Development

Description: Includes records related to the processing of applications, the disbursement of funding and the monitoring of projects. Records may include company profiles, financial information, project descriptions, proposals, recovery information, advance payment requests, shareholder information, proof of payments and verification of contracts and contribution agreements compliance. Records may also include consultations with other government institutions, credit checks, environmental impact assessments, possible media coverage relating to specific projects, reports on results obtained and reports from recipients related to the determination of whether the agreement has been respected.

Document types: Includes agreements, legal notices, correspondence, newspaper clippings, applications for financial assistance, audit reports, evaluation reports, program analysis reports, policy statements, priority statements, intervention parameters, regional strategies, financial reports, repayment schedules, meeting minutes, statements of work, project summary forms, letters of intent, letters of offer, funding guidelines, manuals, briefing notes, Question Period notes for the House of Commons, business plans, marketing plans, communication plans/documents, Internet site, memoranda of understanding, publications, research reports, bid results reports, client follow-up reports, follow-up reports, credit check reports, audit reports, miscellaneous reports and recommendations.

Disclosure summaries: Personal information may be shared with the Canada Revenue Agency for the recovery or collection of indebtedness to the Crown in accordance with subsection 155(1) of the Financial Administration Act.

Record number: FedNor 103

Personal Information Bank for FedNor grants and contributions

Description: This bank describes personal information collected in support of requests for grants and contributions to confirm that the recipient is entitled to the program funding and has respected the requirements of the contribution agreement. The personal information may include name, contact information, financial information, language preference, biographical information, citizenship status, criminal checks or history, educational information, signature, date of birth, gender and photographs.

Class of individuals: Includes individuals applying for funding, sole proprietors, partners in a business and employees of businesses, small and medium-sized enterprises, communities and organizations, and government employees.

Purpose: The personal information is collected to assess and process requests for funding in accordance with the Financial Administration Act.

Consistent uses: The names of successful applicants and selected relevant information are included in public records and published on the Open Government website in accordance with the Government of Canada's proactive disclosure practices. With consent, some personal information is published in FedNor's success stories. Information may be used for internal audit, evaluation and reporting purposes. As required, information is shared with the Canada Revenue Agency (Minister of National Revenue) for the recovery or collection of indebtedness to the Crown in accordance with subsection 155(1) of the Financial Administration Act.

Retention and disposal standards: The information is retained for at least eight years and then either destroyed or transferred to Library and Archives Canada.

Disposition Authorization number: MIDA 2015/003

Related record number: FedNor 101, FedNor 102 and FedNor 103

TBS registration: Pending

Bank number: FedNor PPU 001

Internal services

Internal services are groups of related activities and resources that are administered to support the needs of programs and other corporate obligations of an organization. These groups are: acquisitions; communications services; financial management; human resources management; information management; information technology; legal services; management and oversight services; materiel; real property; travel and other administrative services. Internal services include only those activities and resources that apply across an organization and not to those provided specifically to a program.

Acquisitions

Acquisition services involve activities undertaken to acquire a good or service to fulfil a properly completed request (including a complete and accurate definition of requirements and certification that funds are available) until entering into or amending a contract.

Communications services

Communications services involve activities undertaken to ensure that Government of Canada communications are effectively managed, well-coordinated and responsive to the diverse information needs of the public. The communications management function ensures that the public—internal or external—receives government information, and that the views and concerns of the public are taken into account in the planning, management and evaluation of policies, programs, services and initiatives.

Financial management

Financial management services involve activities undertaken to ensure the prudent use of public resources, including planning, budgeting, accounting, reporting, control and oversight, analysis, decision support and advice, and financial systems.

Human resources management

Human resources management services involve activities undertaken for determining strategic direction, allocating resources among services and processes, as well as activities relating to analyzing exposure to risk and determining appropriate countermeasures. They ensure that the service operations and programs of the federal government comply with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and/or plans.

Information management

Information management services involve activities undertaken to achieve efficient and effective information management to support program and service delivery; foster informed decision making; facilitate accountability, transparency, and collaboration; and preserve and ensure access to information and records for the benefit of present and future generations.

Information technology

Information technology services involve activities undertaken to achieve efficient and effective use of information technology to support government priorities and program delivery, to increase productivity, and to enhance services to the public.

Legal services

Legal services involve activities undertaken to enable government departments and agencies to pursue policy, program and service delivery priorities and objectives within a legally sound framework.

Management and oversight services

Management and oversight services involve activities undertaken for determining strategic direction, and allocating resources among services and processes, as well as those activities related to analyzing exposure to risk and determining appropriate countermeasures. They ensure that the service operations and programs of the federal government comply with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and/or plans.

Materiel

Materiel services involve activities undertaken to ensure that materiel can be managed by departments in a sustainable and financially responsible manner that supports the cost-effective and efficient delivery of government programs.

Real property

Real property services involve activities undertaken to ensure real property is managed in a sustainable and financially responsible manner, throughout its life cycle, to support the cost-effective and efficient delivery of government programs.

Travel and other administrative services

Travel and other administrative services include Government of Canada travel services, as well as those other internal services that do not smoothly fit with any of the internal services categories.

Classes of personal information

Class of personal information for FedNor's programs

Some FedNor programs and activities result in the accumulation of personal information that is not contained in the information banks described above.

Not all personal information is in a personal information bank. Some personal information may be in unrelated files and records that are not arranged or retrieved by your name or other personal identifier. You can retrieve this type of information by giving us details, such as:

  • Subject matter;
  • Related departmental activity;
  • Date we received the information;
  • Names of addressees.

Additional Information

For general information about making a request for access to information or personal information, see Make an access to information or personal information request.

To make a request for information online, access the Access to Information and Personal Information Online Request Service.

To make a request for information under the Access to Information Act or the Privacy Act by mail, mail your letter or completed Access to Information Request Form (Access to Information Act) or Personal Information Request Form (Privacy Act), along with any necessary documents (such as consent or the $5 application fee for a request under the Access to Information Act), to the following address:

Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario
Access to Information and Privacy Office
19 Lisgar Street, Suite 307
Sudbury, Ontario P3E 3L4

In accordance with the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act, an area on the premises will be made available to review original materials on site if that is the applicant's preference (and it is practical to do so), or if it is not practical to create copies of the material.

Please note: Each request made under the Access to Information Act must be accompanied by an application fee of $5. For requests made online, this is paid at the time of application via credit card. For requests made by mail, this should be paid by enclosing cheque or money order made payable to the Receiver General for Canada.

The Government of Canada encourages the release of information through requests outside of the formal request processes. To make an informal request, contact:

Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario
19 Lisgar Street, Suite 307
Sudbury, Ontario
P3E 3L4
Toll Free: 1-877-333-6673
Fax: 705-671-0717
TTY (for hearing-impaired): 1-866-694-8389
Email: fednor-atip-fednor-aiprp@fednor.gc.ca

You may also wish to search summaries of completed access to information requests for which FedNor has already provided responses. This information is available at Access to information: Completed request summaries | Open Government - Government of Canada.

Other open data regarding FedNor is available online at Proactive disclosure | Open Government - Government of Canada.

FedNor will conduct privacy impact assessments (PIAs) to ensure that privacy implications will be appropriately identified, assessed and resolved before a new or substantially modified program or activity involving personal information is implemented. Summaries of completed PIAs will be available on FedNor's Transparency webpage.

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