Message from the Minister of Industry.

• Position: FedNor Update - Brief Article

I am pleased to join my colleague, the Honourable Andy Mitchell, in bringing greetings from the Government of Canada. FedNor, the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario, is making a major impact on the lives of northerners and the economies of their communities. It has achieved remarkable success throughout Northern Ontario -- a few stories are detailed in this advertisement -- and I know many of you have felt the impact of FedNor's investment directly.

The role of Industry Canada is to build a world-leading economy driven by innovation, ideas and talent, and to build a more inclusive, knowledge-based society for all Canadians. We call it "the innovation agenda." As Minister of Industry, I have two priorities: to stimulate and nurture a culture of innovation across this country; and to brand Canada internationally as a great place to live, work and invest.

Canada began its first century by building a railroad to conquer its vast distances. Canada is beginning the 21st century by leading in information and communications technologies that will help citizens overcome that same barrier of distance. This is particularly important for regions such as Northern Ontario, where communities -- and their residents -- are isolated by geography. Moving from bands of steel to high-speed broadband Internet, Canada is beginning to use these enabling technologies to drive innovation, expanding access to new health and community services, learning and information, and business opportunities. Our ultimate goal is to make Canada the most connected nation in the world.

Rural and northern communities are vital to the social, cultural and economic fibre of Canada. In addition to its contributions to the economy of our great nation through mining, forestry, agriculture, manufacturing and tourism industries, Northern Ontario is justifiably proud of its Francophone and Aboriginal heritage, and the diversity and uniqueness that it engenders. Linking the communities and people of Northern Ontario will create synergies and allow for the sharing of ideas and solutions to the challenges we face.

I look forward to meeting with many of you during my travels throughout Northern Ontario to discuss this vision of a smart country -- an innovative and more integrated Canada for the future. Together, we will make this vision a reality.

Brian Tobin

Minister of Industry

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