KENORA – The Ontario government is providing almost $1 million through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) for 31 job placement opportunities in Kenora-Rainy River. This investment will help strengthen and develop Northern Ontario’s workforce.

“We are helping northerners find new opportunities to gain hands-on experience to build careers right here at home in Northern Ontario,” said Greg Rickford, Minister of Northern Development. “Our investment helps connect businesses to local, talented young people and job seekers, securing highly skilled, good-paying jobs.”

Investments include:

• $52,500 for Tamarac Nurseries Ltd. in Dryden to hire a Manager Trainee Intern to learn the various aspects of managing a greenhouse and tree nursery
• $35,000 for LBE Group Inc. in Kenora to hire an Engineering Intern to gain practical engineering experience with a focus on structural engineering. The intern will also work toward receiving their Professional Engineer designation
• $32,023 for Camp of the Woods in Dinorwic to hire an Advertising Intern to assist with promotional, fundraising and marketing campaigns
• $51,503 for Gamboa & Holland LLP to hire two CPA Articling Interns to assist clients with bookkeeping and payroll services, sales tax returns and personal, corporate, estate and trust income taxes
• $51,428 for M.L. Caron Electric Ltd. in Fort Frances to hire two Electrician Apprentice Interns to learn the fundamentals of residential, commercial, and industrial electrical installation.

The Ontario government is supporting local internships through the NOHFC’s People and Talent Program. The program supports a wide variety of internships, including skilled trades, and addresses the unique needs of other in-demand jobs. Program candidates include new entrants into the workforce, those transitioning to a new career, the unemployed and underemployed.

“Our government has removed barriers to participation so more businesses can provide on-the-job career development, address skilled labour shortages and create more opportunities for a broader range of interns, including more opportunities for Indigenous youth,” said Minister Rickford.

The NOHFC promotes economic prosperity across Northern Ontario by providing financial assistance to projects—big and small, rural and urban—that stimulate growth, job creation and skills development. Since June 2018, the NOHFC has invested more than $578 million in 4,935 projects in Northern Ontario, leveraging more than $1.87 billion in investment and creating or sustaining over 7,870 jobs.

Quick Facts

• In 2021, the Ontario government launched new and improved NOHFC programs that support more projects in rural northern communities and make it easier for more people and businesses to apply. The programs target existing and emerging markets, provide more work opportunities for Indigenous people and address the skilled labour shortage in the north.

• A list of all 31 Kenora – Rainy River NOHFC internship program funding recipients is available on the corporation’s website.

Quotes

“We greatly appreciate the Ontario government’s help to train one of our most promising Indigenous employees; helping to upgrade their skills to a management level. Their potential for future success is bright.” – David Lick, President, Tamarac Nurseries Ltd.

“The ability to create new job opportunities within our community while sustaining a company has been done in large part through the support of the Ministry of Northern Development. NOHFC has provided LBE Group with the opportunity to grow and celebrate 10 years of business, helping us through even the most challenging of times.” – Andrew Brookes, Principal, LBE Group Inc.

“We purchased an existing business during the COVID-19 pandemic and there was a lot of uncertainty right from the start. We knew we needed to hire an accountant right away but didn’t have the financial resources to do so. We posted a job ad and found a suitable candidate, and with NOHFC’s help we were able to hire the right person, who continues to be a key part of our business.” – Alex Gamboa, Partner, Gamboa & Holland LLP

“The workforce development stream program has been great for our small business. There is a severe shortage of tradespeople in our field, and this program has provided us with the opportunity to hire and train young people looking to get into our line of work. Thank you NOHFC for the opportunity you have offered us.” – Jamie Davis, Owner, JD Plumbing

“The Fort Frances Times has seen substantial benefit from the NOHFC People and Talent Program. The wage subsidy enabled us to create an additional position on our editorial team, and we’ve been able to make that position a permanent one, in no small part because of the assistance of the NOHFC. We are truly grateful.” – Lincoln Dunn, General Manager, Fort Frances Times

“Partnerships like this support Domtar’s efforts to develop a sustainable workforce, which in turn builds sustainable communities. We thank the Ontario government for helping us achieve this goal.” – Marie Cyr, General Manager, Domtar Dryden Operations

Media Contacts

Erika Robson, Minister’s Office — 416-450-1309 — Erika.Robson@ontario.ca

Media Desk, Communications Branch — mediadesk.ndm@ontario.ca