Greg Rickford, Minister of Indigenous Affairs - Acadia Broadcasting File Photo

Ontario is investing $9.2 million in two programs to improve economic opportunities for Indigenous communities across the province.

This is another step after Ontario doubled funding for the Indigenous Community Capital Grants Program from $3 million to $6 million in 2021-22 to fund 40 projects across the province.

The Indigenous Economic Development Fund and the Indigenous Community Capital Grants Program provide grants and financing for Indigenous peoples to increase access to support for business, employment and training opportunities.

“By improving access to these programs, we are providing the opportunity for Indigenous entrepreneurs, businesses, and communities to receive the funding they need to unlock their economic potential,” said Greg Rickford, Minister of Indigenous Affairs.

The IEDF provides $3.2 million for access to skills training and other economic development initiatives, while the ICCGP provides $6 million for Indigenous infrastructure projects.

Interested and eligible applicants can apply for a grant or a funding stream through the IEDF for projects that diversify Indigenous economies, support skills training, and other economic development initiatives.

The ICCGP is open to community capital projects that support the planning, renovation, or construction of buildings in First Nations and Métis communities and Indigenous organizations on- and off-reserve.

Applications can be submitted through Transfer Payment Ontario until December 19, 2023, at 5 p.m. ET for the IEDF and December 21, 2023, at 5 p.m. ET for the ICCGP. Interested applicants must register with Transfer Payment Ontario to submit, track, and manage requests for funding opportunities.

The Indigenous Community Capital Grants Program has operated since 1989 and was re-launched in 2016 to better address gaps in Indigenous community infrastructure needs.