(NORTH BAY, ON) Pauline Rochefort, Parliamentary Secretary to the Secretary of State (Rural Development) and Member of Parliament for Nipissing-Timiskaming, announced a FedNor investment of $105,000 to help two local organizations create paid youth internship positions so recent graduates can pursue their career paths and gain on-the-job experience in Nipissing-Timiskaming. The announcement was made on behalf of the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for FedNor.

“Creating jobs for young Canadians supports our government's strategy to build a workforce for the future that includes every generation. These internships will provide a fair chance for young people in North Bay to develop their skills and fully participate as active members of the local economy. This FedNor funding is not only a smart investment, it’s the right thing to do so youth can grow up in Northern Ontario knowing they have equitable opportunities to pursue their career ambitions,” said MP Rochefort.

Of the total, the North Bay Theatre and Arts Community Centre (Capitol Centre) will receive a non-repayable FedNor investment of $52,500 to hire a youth intern as a Data Collection and Archival Specialist. While on the job, the intern will create a digital catalogue of historical records and artwork so they can be archived and used to establish an online gallery to showcase the organization’s permanent collection. This new digital content will also be used for future projects and marketing efforts, while paving the way for an Artwork Loaning Program so collection pieces can be shared with partner organizations and enjoyed by different audiences for longer periods of time. This 18-month internship will contribute to the economic diversity, viability, and sustainability of the region by preserving cultural heritage and associated assets, promoting tourism throughout the area.

To improve business and economic conditions in the City of North Bay, the Municipality is receiving a non-repayable FedNor investment of $52,500 to hire a youth intern for an 18-month period. Working for the Planning Department, the qualified candidate will help advance local priorities such as urban planning, policy implementation, and community development initiatives. While on the job, the Intern will also support a series of special projects including the Housing Accelerator Fund, updates to the Downtown Waterfront Master Plan, preserving and promoting historical assets and implementing the Trout Lake Policy to enhance community awareness and engagement.

With proven results, this investment will help ensure that young people not only find opportunities here, but choose to build their futures in the North: 63% of FedNor-funded interns are staying with their host employer, 83% move into jobs related to their internship, and 91% are planning to keep working in Northern Ontario.

The funding announced supports the Government of Canada’s Youth Employment and Skills Strategy, which is designed to help young Canadians become job-ready through work experience, training and skills development. Through its wide range of programs, the Strategy invests in young people to build a strong Canadian economy that includes everyone.

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FEDNOR INVESTS $105,000 TO CREATE YOUTH EMPLOYMENT AND ACCELERATE ECONOMIC GROWTH IN NORTH BAY.