Francophone Communities Receive a Three Million Dollars Investment From Ontario Government

The Ontario Government is investing three million dollars to protect the province’s Francophone community by creating jobs and driving economic growth through the 2025-26 Francophone Community Grants Program (FCGP).

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The funding is to aid 71 organizations and businesses around the province to strengthen the cultural and economic impact of Franco-Ontarians by expanding service offerings, improving employee training, increasing community outreach and expanding hiring, according to Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP.

“I am incredibly proud to see our government investing in the vitality of Ontario’s Francophone community right here in Peterborough,” he said. “This funding for Junior Achievement of Northern & Eastern Ontario is an excellent example of our commitment to supporting organizations that are making a tangible difference. By empowering our youth with access to French-language education on entrepreneurship and careers, we are not just investing in their future, but in the economic and cultural strength of our entire community.”

The government's Francophone Community Grants Program (FCGP) is providing $44,560 to Junior Achievement of Northern & Eastern Ontario.

This funding will support a project aimed at promoting and strengthening Ontario's Francophone community. The project will involve:

• Recruiting and training bilingual volunteers and facilitators

• Hosting French-language sessions for students at French and bilingual schools

The goal is to provide Francophone youth with better access to education on career exploration and entrepreneurship, enhance the organization's capacity to serve this community, and strengthen its partnerships with school boards, according to John McNutt, JA-NEO president and CEO.

“At Junior Achievement (JA), we believe the most powerful gift we can offer young people is the ability to distinguish between a want and a need. Through our programs in Financial Literacy, Entrepreneurship, and Work Readiness, young people don’t just learn about money or careers; they learn to make informed choices that will shape their futures,” he said. “Thanks to this support, and in partnership with our friends at JA Québec, we are bringing these opportunities to even more Francophone youth in border communities. This funding goes beyond building skills: it fosters friendships, deepen understanding, and creates lasting connections between Ontario and Québec. Together, we are empowering students to strengthen their communities and believe in a future where opportunity knows no boundaries.” John McNutt added.

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