$27.5-million investment made in three economic development programs for Indigenous communities

TORONTO — The provincial government will be providing $27.5 million in funding for economic development programs that will benefit Indigenous people and communities in Ontario.

The programs support training, job creation, community infrastructure and consultation capacity in communities, indicates a release issued by the Ministry of Indigenous Affairs.

The 2018-19 funding will flow through three programs:

• the Indigenous Economic Development Fund ($10 million);
• the Indigenous Community Capital Grants Program ($3 million); and
• the New Relationship Fund ($14.5 million).

“The economic gaps faced by many Indigenous communities is unacceptable,” said Greg Rickford, minister of Indigenous affairs, in a statement.

“That’s why closing these gaps for good is so important — not only for the communities themselves, but for everyone in Ontario.

“When Indigenous people prosper, we all prosper.”