Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario Transferred

Summary#

This is the Transfer of Duties Order (SI/2021-49) that moved a regional economic program out of one department and into a regional agency. It transfers control of the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario from the Department of Industry to the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario, and names the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages to preside over that agency. The change took effect on August 12, 2021.

What it does#

• Transfers control and supervision of the part of the federal public administration called the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario from the Department of Industry to the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario.
• Orders that the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages will preside over the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario.
• The order was made under the Public Service Rearrangement and Transfer of Duties Act (registration P.C. 2021-840, dated August 6, 2021; Canada Gazette registration August 18, 2021).

Who's affected#

• Staff and managers who work on the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario.
• Businesses, community groups and other organizations in Northern Ontario that receive funding or services from that Initiative.
• The Department of Industry and the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario, because responsibilities and oversight have shifted.
• It is not clear from the order whether day-to-day services, funding rules, or project approvals will change immediately.

Why it matters#

• The move changes who is responsible for running the regional program. That can change who decisions are made by and who applicants should contact.
• For people and groups in Northern Ontario, the transfer could affect how the program is managed or how easy it is to get support — though the order itself does not spell out operational changes.
• This is an administrative change in federal organization; its practical effects will depend on how the agency implements the transfer.