Poverty Reduction Strategy Media Release
Ontario is working with Indigenous partners across the province to support seven projects that will help people break the cycle of poverty, find good jobs and end homelessness, while meeting the unique challenges and needs of First Nation, Métis, and Inuit peoples.
Chris Ballard, Minister of Housing and Minister Responsible for the Poverty Reduction Strategy, visited Matawa First Nations Management in Thunder Bay today to announce the new support.
Matawa First Nation Management's entrepreneurship program will help community members in nine First Nations start or grow their small businesses, by identifying opportunities, clarifying ideas and ventures, developing business plans, identifying sources of funding and measuring impact and success.
It includes partnerships with the Canadian Executive Services Organization and Rise Asset Development, to deliver workshops, business coaching and access to funding. It will also connect participants with local economic development officer networks and partners with entrepreneurial and small business lending experience.
The seven projects are funded through Ontario's Local Poverty Reduction Fund. Part of this funding supports data collection, which will help develop more effective poverty reduction programs across the province.
Fighting poverty is part of the government's plan to create jobs, grow our economy, and help people in their everyday lives.
