When we invest in Canadians, we invest in a future that benefits everyone. The Government of Canada continues to make targeted investments to support affordability, create good jobs and grow an economy that will make Canada more sustainable and prosperous for generations to come.
Today, the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), along with MP Vance Badawey and MP Chris Bittle, visited FedDev Ontario funding recipients and small business owners in the Niagara region that show how investing in Canadians' potential helps to grow the economy. She highlighted the federal government's commitment to support small businesses across the region and their innovative ideas that are leading to good-paying jobs and an economy that works for everyone.
While in the Niagara region, the Minister visited and toured the Validating, Prototyping and Manufacturing Institute (VPMI) at Brock University, a state-of-the-art facility that is providing resources to develop technology solutions which will lead to commercialization. In 2019, FedDev Ontario invested $5 million for Brock University to establish the VPMI as a single-site resource to help businesses in the growing bioproducts, bioscience, bioagriculture and chemical manufacturing sectors to scale up and become more competitive. This investment will support up to 33 businesses, establish 27 collaborations, create up to 30 new IP licenses, commercialize 47 new products and services, and create and maintain more than 150 jobs for the region.
The Minister also had the opportunity to visit three small businesses that received support through the My Main Street Initiative: Wandering Spirits and Keto Crumb Bakery in downtown St. Catharines and Lucky Thai restaurant in Port Colborne. These funds help small businesses like these recover from the pandemic and grow and develop so they will be an important part of the community for years to come. FedDev Ontario provided $23.25-million to the Canadian Urban Institute (CUI) and the Economic Developers Council of Ontario (EDCO) to establish My Main Street Initiative - a two-year program to support the recovery and revitalization of main streets and local businesses in more than 200 neighbourhoods across southern Ontario.
