Government of Canada invests $16.5 million to create jobs, public infrastructure and economic growth in Eastern Ontario

News release

FedDev Ontario supports 30 projects to enhance local economies and create over 150 jobs

February 13, 2023 – Vars, Ontario 

Eastern Ontario is the meeting point for Toronto and Montreal. Home to more than 1.7 million people from communities both large and small, this growing region hosts world-class educational institutions and diverse businesses that continue to attract people and visitors from around the world while making an impact on Canada’s economy.

Today, the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), along with Francis Drouin, Member of Parliament for Glengarry–Prescott–Russell, announced funding of more than $16.5 million towards the growth of Eastern Ontario’s economy, with support for three manufacturers and 27 tourism and community projects. These projects will help local businesses to scale up, create and rejuvenate community spaces, and enhance tourism attractions to welcome more visitors, create over 150 jobs, and build stronger, more vibrant communities.

While in Vars, Minister Tassi and MP Drouin had the opportunity to visit Les Ateliers Beau-Roc (Beau-Roc), a woman-owned and led, Francophone manufacturer of custom-built dump truck bodies and accessories. While there, the Minister was able to speak to the hard workers on the floor and let them know that our Government will be investing $4.1 million. This investment will support the purchase and installation of new manufacturing equipment, contributing to the expansion of a new, energy-efficient factory that will boost production of the company’s Multi-Purpose Heavy Duty (MPHD) & Stainless Steel dump truck bodies. As a result, Beau-Roc will enhance sales across Canada and the U.S., cut delivery lead times in half and create more than 30 skilled jobs in Eastern Ontario.

The Municipality of Casselman, a largely Francophone community located between Ottawa and Cornwall, also received an investment of nearly $100,000 to enhance tourism in the region by developing a waterfront trail and bird sanctuary along the South Nation River.

The Government of Canada is committed to helping local businesses create good jobs, recover from the pandemic, and have a strong economic future in Eastern Ontario.

For more information on the 30 projects receiving support, please see the backgrounder

Quotes

"When we invest in business owners’ potential, we invest in a strong future for our country. By supporting organizations and businesses across Eastern Ontario, our Government is contributing to a growing region that will continue to support Canada’s economy and create many good jobs. We are making smart investments that put people first and set local communities on a path to success.”
– The Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario 

“Today’s investment for 30 businesses, community organizations and tourism operators across Eastern Ontario is supporting our regional economy and creating over 150 skilled jobs. By investing in these projects, our government is taking the necessary steps to help our communities and our businesses contribute to a more resilient future.”
– Francis Drouin, Member of Parliament for Glengarry–Prescott–Russell

“We’re honoured to be supported by FedDev Ontario. This funding will support our development of our new, additional manufacturing facility, designed to meet the demand of our products across Canada and the United States. This expansion project will create 30 jobs and provide economic and social benefits to the local community.”
– Nathalie St-Pierre, General Manager, Beau-Roc Inc.

“This FedDev Ontario investment will help us in moving forward on a most important project for the Municipality: creating a walking path and bird sanctuary along South Nation River. This contribution through the Tourism Relief Fund will provide the help we needed to launch a unique project for a new tourism destination in Casselman.” 
– Her Worship Genevieve Lajoie, Mayor of Casselman

Quick facts

  • Eastern Ontario is a rich and diverse region with strong links to the advanced manufacturing, food and beverage, and tourism sectors. 

  • Founded in 1984, Les Ateliers Beau-Roc, a major employer in the Official Language Minority Community of Vars, is a world leader in manufacturing dump truck bodies for a wide range of customers across Canada and the United States.  

  • Casselman is a largely Francophone municipality in the United Counties of Prescott and Russell. Home to more than 4,000 people, the town is situated on the South Nation River about 55 km southeast of downtown Ottawa.

  • Since 2015, the Government of Canada, through FedDev Ontario, has invested nearly $60 million in more than 105 projects in the Counties of Prescott-Russell, the Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry and the Counties of Leeds and Grenville, which are anticipated to create and maintain over 5,850 jobs. 

Associated links

Contacts

Edward Hutchinson
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
Edward.Hutchinson@feddevontario.gc.ca

Media Relations
FedDev Ontario
fdo.mediarel-relmedias.fdo@feddevontario.gc.ca

Stay Connected

FedDevOntario.gc.ca

Subscribe to our Southern Ontario Spotlight monthly newsletter and follow us on TwitterFacebookInstagram and LinkedIn for more information on how we are growing businesses, cultivating partnerships and building strong communities in southern Ontario.

Page details

Date modified: