Ontario Supporting Francophone Entrepreneurs

Investment to provide tools and services needed to start and grow a business

June 26, 2024

OTTAWA— The Ontario government is investing $500,000 over the next two years in the Fédération des gens d’affaires francophones de l’Ontario (FGA) to help Ontario’s Francophone entrepreneurs start or grow a business. The support will allow the FGA to provide free French language business advisory services to the province’s Francophone business community.

“Ontario’s Francophone entrepreneurs and business owners are important to the economy and our government’s support reflects our targeted and responsible approach to fostering economic growth across the province,” said Nina Tangri, Associate Minister of Small Business. “This investment will enable FGA to provide Francophone entrepreneurs the tools they need to start and grow their businesses, create jobs and contribute to building a strong and resilient economy.”

The province’s support for the FGA will help broaden the influence of Francophone and bilingual businesses, stimulating job creation and unlocking new market opportunities. In partnership with Small Business Enterprise Centres (SBECs) across the province, the FGA will offer business advisory supports to Francophone entrepreneurs in their preferred language without service interruption.

“This investment in the Fédération des gens d’affaires francophones de l’Ontario demonstrates that the Ontario government is working to help Francophone businesses thrive,” said Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Francophone Affairs. “Our goal is to support Francophone entrepreneurs and businesses, so they can fully contribute to the province’s economic growth.”

Small businesses play a critical role in all of Ontario’s communities and are an essential part of the province’s economy, employing over two million people. Ontario offers a range of programs and supports to help entrepreneurs start and grow new companies, including Intellectual Property Ontario, Starter Company Plus, Summer Company and tailored options, advice and business analysis through business advisory services.

Quick Facts

  • Ontario government support for the FGA is to help broaden the influence of Francophone and bilingual businesses, stimulating job creation, and unlocking new market opportunities by focusing on three areas: entrepreneurship and innovation, a bilingual skilled workforce through education, training, and employability, and promoting Ontario’s Francophonie as an economic asset.
  • The Ontario government’s approach to Francophone affairs is based on two complementary strategies. Together, the French Language Services Strategy and the Francophone Economic Development Strategy aim to recruit and train a bilingual, skilled workforce, and increase the availability of front-line services in French, as well as support Francophone and bilingual businesses to encourage their full participation in the province’s economic prosperity.
  • In 2021, the government granted a start-up investment to support the development of an Ontario Francophone business network, now the Fédération des gens d’affaires francophones de l’Ontario (FGA). Representing over 5,000 companies, entrepreneurs and institutional partners, the FGA is one of the three Canadian members of the Alliance des patronats francophones and one of the four founding members of the new Alliance de la francophonie économique canadienne (AFEC).
  • Announced in the 2024 Ontario Budget, the government is helping an additional 500 entrepreneurs across the province start and grow a business with an added investment of $4.8 million over two years through the Starter Company Plus program.
  • The Ontario government is providing an additional investment of $1.5 million over two years to bolster its Summer Company program, helping an additional 250 young people start and grow a business.
  • The Digitalization Competence Centre is a $10 million investment that provides small businesses support with digital literacy, accelerating digital adoption, and enhancing technological capacity.

Quotes

“This investment is critical to ensure Francophone businesses have the tools and resources they need to succeed. I am excited to see the positive impact this is going to have on entrepreneurship, innovation, and our economy.”

– Stéphane Sarrazin
Parliamentary Assistant to the Associate Minister of Small Business and Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Francophone Affairs

“This funding from the Ontario government is a significant step forward in empowering our Francophone entrepreneurs with the essential tools and support needed to thrive in Ontario’s competitive business landscape. With this investment, we can provide crucial resources and guidance in French, helping our business community innovate, flourish, and contribute significantly to Ontario’s economy. We are grateful for the government’s ongoing commitment to our community, which is a testament to the vital role Franco-Ontarians play in the province’s growth. The FGA is dedicated to fostering a vibrant and successful Francophone business ecosystem, and we look forward to the opportunities that will arise from this funding.”

– Dominic Mailloux
President, Fédération des gens d’affaires francophones de l’Ontario

Additional Resources

Related Topics

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