Southern Ontario’s main streets are lined with small businesses that bring tourists and locals together to enjoy the best our communities have to offer. Small businesses are a vital part of Canada’s culture and economic prosperity and the Government of Canada is committed to making strategic investments so that locally-owned businesses and communities small and large can thrive.
Today, the Honourable Filomena Tassi (photo) , Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), along with Majid Jowhari, Member of Parliament for Richmond Hill, and Paul Chiang, Member of Parliament for Markham–Unionville, announced a $15-million investment for the Canadian Urban Institute (CUI) to continue the recovery and revitalization of main streets across southern Ontario through My Main Street (MMS).
With this investment, the organization will launch two new programs through MMS to provide funding and support for businesses and community organizations across southern Ontario. The new programs will support up to 325 businesses on main streets across 100 communities, along with 75 community projects promoting high-impact placemaking activities. These activities will help draw people to main streets and encourage locals and visitors to support an estimated 2,500 community businesses and organizations.
This investment into southern Ontario’s main street businesses will support up to 5,750 direct and indirect jobs across southern Ontario. CUI has also committed to dedicating at least 25 percent of funding to rural communities and 50 percent of funding to program participants from traditionally underrepresented groups. The continuation of MMS will enhance the overall quality of life for residents while also promoting sustainable and inclusive community development.
Today’s announcement builds on a 2021 Government of Canada investment, through FedDev Ontario, of $23.25 million to support the recovery and revitalization of main streets across southern Ontario through the launch of the My Main Street initiative. To date, this investment has supported nearly 4,000 businesses and organizations, over 6,000 jobs and leveraged over $16 million in additional investment.
While in the region, Minister Tassi, MP Jowhari and MP Chiang are also meeting with local Unionville and surrounding area businesses, organizations and community leaders during a roundtable discussion at the Varley Art Gallery of Markham. They will discuss the important contributions small businsses are providing to the economy and the ways in which the Government of Canada can support them as they reach their potential.
The Government of Canada knows the importance of continuing to support the people, businesses and organizations that call our main streets home, actively exploring possibilities and unlocking their full potential for a more prosperous Canads.
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