The Government of Ontario recently announced a suite of changes to Employment Ontario programming and services. The government is launching a new system that will improve Ontario employment services by focusing on the needs of local communities, workers, and employers. Employment Ontario provides a range of programs, services, and funding opportunities to help Ontarian workers…
On June 7, Ontario voters ushered in a new Conservative majority government to be led by Doug Ford. The incoming Premier won 40% of the popular vote and 76 seats overall, signaling a big change in provincial government. Having already appointed a Chief of Staff and assembled a transition team, it’s expected Ford’s cabinet will…
The Greenbelt Fund: Local Food Investment Fund (LFIF) provides Ontario government grants to increase consumption of foods that are grown or processed locally. Funding may be awarded for three types of projects, including those that increase Broader Public Sector purchases, improve Market Access, and promote Local Food Literacy. Recently, the program announced a new intake period…
Waste has been a growing concern across Ontario for over 40 years. Despite the desire to reduce our garbage output, Ontarian’s generate over 12 million tonnes of food and commercial waste per year. To mitigate this issue, the government has focused its efforts on “waste diversion”, which helps prevent waste from ending up in landfills…
The Trillium Network for Advanced Manufacturing (also referred to as the Trillium Manufacturing Network) is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting Ontario’s manufacturing industry. Funded through the Canadian federal and provincial governments, the Trillium Manufacturing Network is uniquely focused on helping Ontario manufacturers grow through mentorship and collaborative research opportunities. Recently, the organization was awarded…
In April 2017, the Government of Ontario committed up to $830,000 in funding toward local agri-food projects. In total, 24 projects will use these agriculture grants to increase consumer awareness, demand, and consumption of local foods and beverages. Ontario government funding was awarded through the Greenbelt Fund: Local Food Investment Fund. The program offers up…
New data released by Statistics Canada has shown that Ontario’s economy is strengthening, particularly in relation to employment. Although some metrics may fluctuate from month to month, contrasts to the same period last year (or even the last 10+ years) show some emerging trends all businesses should be aware of. In April 2017, Ontario’s unemployment…
Sometimes, well-intentioned rules and regulations developed by the government affect business’ ability to act on growth opportunities and efficiently use resources. These laws and regulations are often referred to as government red tape by the general public. They often relate to additional paperwork, hidden costs, and project delays, and make companies less responsive to market…
Ontario’s economy is expected to achieve a 3% growth in GDP based on the province’s performance this year. Previous growth projections expected a 2.6% increase to the province’s GDP, however favourable conditions enabled businesses to increase their competitiveness and drive sales, both domestically and internationally. This is just one of the many trends identified in…
As the December 13, 2016 intake deadline approaches for the Growing Forward 2 (GF2) Ontario Organizations and Collaborations Stream, many agricultural producers and processors may be considering the differing ways in which they can create a viable project. One of the best projects that we’ve seen successfully receive GF2 Organizations and Collaborations funding is the…