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Development and reconciliation go hand in hand

Ontario's Aboriginal Economic Development Fund is stronger than ever, having received an extension, more funding and a new name.
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David Zimmer, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, was in Sudbury, June 16, announcing a 70-million boost to the Ontario government’s Aboriginal Economic Development Fund.

Ontario's Aboriginal Economic Development Fund is stronger than ever, having received an extension, more funding and a new name.

The fund will now be called the Indigenous Economic Development Fund, and Ontario will invest $70 million in the program over seven years. The program was launched in 2014 with $25 million in funding, which brings the total investment in the project up to $95 million.

David Zimmer, the minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, made the announcement at a Sudbury Chamber of Commerce luncheon, June 16. His message: Economic development is at the forefront of the reconciliation process.

"An important part of reconciliation is economic development," said Zimmer. "Our government firmly believes that the next opportunity lies with the journey of reconciliation that Ontario and indigenous peoples have started on together. 

“Just as Indigenous and non-indigenous leaders are working together to improve the lives of Indigenous peoples, so too can Indigenous and non-Indigenous business work together to create new jobs and opportunities for everyone." 

Zimmer said the fund has three main goals; to create jobs, to support First Nations businesses in diversification, and to help them collaborate with non-indigenous business and industry.

Zimmer emphasized Sudbury's strong forecast for the economic year ahead, and encouraged non-Indigenous local business to partner with and invest in Indigenous businesses.

"In the area of Northern Ontario, this idea of economic partnerships and doing business with First Nations, it's to the benefit of First Nations, to the benefit of Sudbury, to the benefit of everyone," said Zimmer. "Indigenous people... have got some good ideas, and you should want to do business with them."