Celebrating Community Futures Across Ontario
From September 21–27, Community Futures Ontario is bringing together Community Futures organizations across the province to celebrate Community Futures Week 2026 and recognize the people, businesses, partnerships, and communities that make rural Ontario strong.
Community Futures is built on a simple idea: communities are best positioned to understand their own opportunities and challenges. Through locally delivered business financing, advisory services, and community economic development support, Community Futures organizations help entrepreneurs build businesses, create opportunities, and contribute to strong and resilient rural communities.
To celebrate, we are offering free virtual sessions with practical information and resources for entrepreneurs and small businesses, sharing stories from across Ontario, and highlighting the impact of the Community Futures Program.
Community Futures Week Webinars
Community Futures Ontario is hosting a series of free virtual sessions for entrepreneurs, small business owners, Community Futures staff, and others interested in practical business information and resources.
BDC's Economic Outlook 2026: Navigating Uncertainty & Building What's Next
Monday, September 21, 2026 | 2:00 p.m. ET
Join BDC Chief Economist Pierre Cléroux for a forward-looking look at Canada's economic outlook and what current economic conditions mean for entrepreneurs. Explore uncertainty, trade, productivity, market diversification, resilience, and opportunities for future growth.
Essential Safety Practices for Small Businesses
Tuesday, September 22, 2026 | 10:00 a.m. ET
Join Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS) for practical guidance to help small businesses understand their health and safety responsibilities, identify workplace hazards, meet training requirements, and access free tools and resources.
Everything Government Can Do for Your Business, All in One Place
Tuesday, September 22, 2026 | 2:00 p.m. ET
Join Innovation Canada to discover government programs, services, funding, loans, wage subsidies, tax credits, permits, and other resources available to Canadian businesses. Learn how tools such as the Business Benefits Finder and BizPaL can help you find support suited to your business.
Succession Planning: The Emotional Transaction
Wednesday, September 23, 2026 | 10:00 a.m. ET
Selling or transitioning a business involves more than numbers. Join Sarah Melody from the Orillia Area CDC and BizLink to explore the human side of succession planning, preparing for a transition, building your professional advisory team, communicating with the people around you, and connecting with potential buyers.
Small Business Fraud Education
Wednesday, September 23, 2026 | 2:00 p.m. ET
Join the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre to learn about common frauds affecting Canadian businesses, the tools and tactics used by fraudsters, real-world examples, and practical steps small businesses can take to help protect themselves.
Is Your Workplace Up to Date with the OHSA Requirements?
Thursday, September 24, 2026 | 2:00 p.m. ET
Join WSPS for a conversation about the foundational requirements of Ontario’s Occupational Health & Safety Act (OHSA), including employer, supervisor, and worker responsibilities, workers' rights, awareness training, and free resources.
Locally Driven, Nationally Supported
Community Futures combines local knowledge and decision-making with national support, creating a model designed around the unique needs and opportunities of rural communities.
Community Futures staff and volunteer boards live and work in the communities they serve. This local presence means entrepreneurs can access support from people who understand their communities, local economies, and the realities of doing business in rural Ontario.
At the same time, Community Futures is part of a national network supporting rural communities across Canada.
During Community Futures Week, we're celebrating what this model makes possible: local ideas, local leadership, and local businesses supported by a network that reaches across Ontario and Canada.
Stories from Our Communities
Behind every successful business is a story of ambition, perseverance, and local support. Meet entrepreneurs from across Ontario and discover how Community Futures has helped them turn ideas into opportunities, grow their businesses, and contribute to the communities they call home.
Supporting Rural Ontario Growth
Small businesses are at the heart of rural Ontario. They create jobs, provide essential products and services, strengthen local economies, and help communities remain vibrant places to live and work.
Across Ontario, Community Futures organizations work alongside entrepreneurs at every stage of the business journey, from exploring an idea and starting a business to navigating growth, financing expansion, or planning for succession.
This support extends beyond individual businesses. Community Futures organizations also collaborate with municipalities, community organizations, economic development partners, and others on initiatives that respond to local priorities and create new opportunities.
When rural businesses and communities succeed, Ontario grows stronger.
Community Futures in Action
Across Ontario, Community Futures helps entrepreneurs access the financing, guidance, and local support they need to start, grow, and strengthen their businesses. See the collective impact of the Community Futures Program across Ontario in 2025-2026.
Millions Loaned
Businesses Assisted
Jobs Impacted
CED Projects
Funded by the Government of Canada through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario and the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario.
Find Community Futures Near You
Whether you’re starting a business, looking to grow, navigating a challenge, planning your next step, or simply looking for guidance, your local Community Futures organization can help you explore the resources and opportunities available to you.