Government of Canada invests in bilingual workforce development and Francophone entrepreneurship across southern Ontario

17 November 2025

Windsor

A combined investment of more than $1 million from FedDev Ontario to support new opportunities for Francophone talent across southern Ontario.

A strong economy is one that works for everyone. That’s why the Government of Canada is investing in organizations that build inclusive, resilient communities by creating meaningful employment opportunities for official language minority communities and newcomers, while supporting the evolving workforce needs of local businesses.

Today, on behalf of the Honourable Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), the Honourable Mark Gerretsen, Member of Parliament for Kingston and the Islands, visited Association canadienne-française de l’Ontario, Conseil régional des Mille-Îles (ACFOMI). While there, he announced a combined Government of Canada investment of more than $1 million for three organizations supporting new opportunities for Francophone talent across southern Ontario.

ACFOMI is receiving nearly $103,000 to support the resiliency and growth of up to 12 businesses in the tourism, sustainable development and service sectors. Participants will receive training, guidance and tools to strengthen their workforce development and inclusion practices to support the hiring and onboarding of Francophone employees and create and sustain bilingual workplaces.

The Government of Canada is also investing in two additional Francophone-led organizations, as they expand inclusive workforce development opportunities in Windsor and across southwestern Ontario:

Fédération des gens d’affaires francophones de l’Ontario (FGA) is receiving $350,000 to provide essential French-language services to Francophone businesses and entrepreneurs by improving referral mechanisms to existing services within the ecosystem and creating new economic growth opportunities in Official Language Minority Communities (OLMCs) in southern Ontario. This two-year program aims to support 200 businesses, as well as small business support centres (SBSCs) and community development corporations (CDCs).
Collège Boréal is receiving $600,000 to provide training and employment pathways for Francophone newcomers and entrepreneurs in Windsor and across central southwestern Ontario.

Together, these investments reaffirm the Government of Canada’s commitment to supporting the vitality of Francophone communities and creating economic opportunities for diverse populations. By helping Francophone entrepreneurs and businesses build on their strengths, create bilingual workplaces, and expand opportunities, we are strengthening official language minority communities (OLMCs), enhancing the cultural and economic fabric of southern Ontario, and building a stronger Canada together.

This investment also aligns with measures in Budget 2025 focused on building a more productive economy by helping Canadians upgrade their skills, supporting small businesses, and addressing labour shortages in key sectors. Through initiatives like these, our government is building Canada strong by ensuring that all Canadians can contribute to making Canada the best place in the G7 to innovate, invest and build for the long-term.

The Government of Canada is proud to support Francophone organizations and communities across southern Ontario that are breaking down barriers and helping build Canada strong. These projects will not only connect Francophone workers to meaningful employment and entrepreneurship but also help businesses to access new talent and thrive in both official languages.

The Honourable Evan Solomon

Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario

With this investment, we are building a stronger economy here in Kingston and across southern Ontario. By helping businesses access bilingual talent and supporting Francophone newcomers in finding meaningful opportunities, we are creating lasting benefits for our community and contributing to a stronger region for years to come.

The Honourable Mark Gerretsen

Member of Parliament for Kingston and the Islands

This funding creates a bridge between English-speaking employers and French-speaking talent. The project will foster more inclusive workplaces and pave the way for better access to French-language services in the region.

Laurianne Montpetit

Executive Director, ACFOMI

Thanks to this support from FedDev Ontario, the FGA will be able to help even more Francophone entrepreneurs in the southern part of the province, offering them free mentorship, personalized advice, as well as training and networking opportunities in French. By working hand in hand with regional entrepreneur support organizations, we can strengthen the Francophone entrepreneurial ecosystem together and contribute to the economic vitality of our communities.

Dominic Mailloux

President, Fédération des gens d’affaires francophones de l’Ontario (FGA)

The innovative Propulseur Boréal concept, developed in collaboration with our Desjardins Innovation, Research and Incubation Space, will provide new Francophone entrepreneurs in the Centre-Southwest region with the tools they need to bring their projects to fruition and launch their businesses with confidence. Thanks to investment from FedDev Ontario, this certified training will help accelerate economic development by strengthening the skills of local entrepreneurs and facilitating the integration of newcomers to our region.

Carole Nkoa

Vice President, Collège Boréal, Centre-Southwest

Quick facts

ACFOMI has been serving Francophone and bilingual communities in the Kingston region for nearly 50 years, supporting employment services, newcomer integration, and community development.
Founded in 2021, the Fédération des gens d’affaires francophones de l’Ontario supports, represents, and advances the interests of Franco-Ontarian entrepreneurs and economic stakeholders in order to fully promote the Francophone community in business through principled policy development, resourceful business services, and innovative activities focused on developing Francophone commercial markets.
Collège Boréal, founded in 1995, is a French-language post-secondary institution, with 34 access centres in 27 communities and eight campuses in Hearst, Kapuskasing, Nipissing, Ottawa, Sudbury, Timmins, Toronto and Windsor.
These projects are funded through the Economic Development Initiative (EDI), part of Canada’s Action Plan for Official Languages 2023–2028: Protection–Promotion–Collaboration. EDI supports the economic development of official language minority communities by helping address local economic challenges and build on regional strengths.
Since 2015, FedDev Ontario has invested nearly $195 million in over 270 projects in official language minority communities (OLMCs), helping to create or maintain an estimated 8,500 jobs.

Associated links

Source: Government of Canada

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