April 28, 2005

LINDSAY, Ontario, April 28, 2005 — The Honourable Andy Mitchell, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, on behalf of the Honourable Joe Comuzzi, Minister of State (FedNor), today announced a Government of Canada investment of $163,638 to the Kawartha Lakes Community Futures Development Corporation (CFDC).  The funding will support two Community Capacity projects and a regional initiative under the Business Development component of the Eastern Ontario Development Fund (EODF).

“This CFDC will stimulate the economy by enhancing vital tourism, culture and recreation sectors as a result of this announcement,” said Minister Mitchell.  “By attracting more visitors to the area, these projects will help generate increased revenues and business for local companies.”

The EODF is a $10 million Government of Canada initiative announced in May 2004.  It promotes socio-economic development in rural Eastern Ontario, contributes to the successful development of business and job opportunities and sustainable self-reliant communities, and will lead to a competitive and diversified regional economy.

The Kawartha Lakes CFDC is one of 61 CFDCs in rural and Northern Ontario funded by Industry Canada’s Community Futures Program through FedNor.  CFDCs deliver a wide variety of programs and services to support community economic development and small business growth.  They employ local staff and are each governed by a volunteer board of directors, made up of local residents representative of the community.

“This funding allows us to enhance the capacity of two very important local tourism-based resources, our trails network and the Academy Theatre,” said Paul Thompson, Chair of the Kawartha Lakes CFDC.  “It will also create opportunities that will have a positive, long-term impact on our local businesses and employment.”

Through the EODF and its investment in CFDCs, the Government of Canada is acting on its commitment to support economic growth and diversification in rural communities.

Funding for this initiative was provided for in the February 2005 federal budget and is therefore built into the existing fiscal framework.

To find out more about Ontario CFDCs, visit:  http://cfdc-ontario.ic.gc.ca

For more information, please contact:

Graeme Wilkes
Director of Communications, Office of the Honourable Joe Comuzzi
(613) 947-5850

Robert Naud
Senior Communications Officer, Industry Canada/FedNor
(613) 954-3691 or 1 877 333-6673