April 13, 2005

PICTON, Ontario, April 13, 2005 — The Honourable Mauril Bélanger, Deputy Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Member of Parliament for Ottawa–Vanier, today announced, on behalf of the Honourable Joe Comuzzi, Minister of State (FedNor), Government of Canada support of $ 616,500 to the Prince Edward/Lennox & Addington (PELA) Community Futures Development Corporation (CFDC).  The funding will support the organization’s investment fund, and help the CFDC implement five Community Capacity projects under the Business Development component of the Eastern Ontario Development Fund (EODF).

“These initiatives address areas and sectors that are key to fostering economic growth,” said Minister Bélanger.  “By enhancing the small business community and tourism industry, we will create development and employment opportunities, leading to future prosperity in the region.”

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 PELA 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.

“We are grateful for this support to build on existing strengths in our economy and help develop new industries and businesses in our area,” said Doug Sexsmith, Chair of the PELA CFDC.

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