Searching for Self-employment / Entrepreneurship

• Assists in business start-up and expansion
• Provides information about funding available to small and medium-sized businesses

Offers the following services:

• One-on-one consultations
• Review of business plans
• Assistance with market research
• Provision of relevant and timely business information
• Mentoring and networking opportunities
• Internet and computer access for business research & planning
• Professional advisor referrals
• Import and export information
• Youth programming

Assists Ontario Works participants by providing:

• Assistance in job searches and researching job opportunities
• Computer use and assistance to update resumés and write cover letters
• Employment counselling in various areas including preparing for interviews
• Information about related programs

Offers access to the following job search tools:

• Access to Service Canada Job bank website
• Community Placement Program (for volunteer opportunities)
• Computer and Internet access
• Fax machine, phone and photocopier
• Free telephone and message services
• Information on the Employment Placement Program (for paid employment and training)

• Functions as a community-based, non-profit employment agency providing employment counselling, job development, job placements, assistance returning to school or accessing re-training, apprenticeship and certification training
• Provides resume, job search, career planning and interview assistance, job listings and labour market information
• Offers free access to computers, photocopier and fax machine

Offers the following programs and services:

• Apprenticeships
• Better Jobs Ontario
• Employment Ontario Employment Services
• Employment Ontario Youth Job Connection and Youth Job Connection-Summer
• Ontario Disability Support Program Employment Supports
• Canada-Ontario Job Grant
• Youth Employment Pathways
• Youth Justice Programs

• Provides comprehensive employment and job search services
• Offers assessment of skills, interests and experience
• Provides job search strategies, including resume preparation
• Offers information about careers and occupations, local labour market, employment and training opportunities
• Coordinates on-the-job training, work experience
• Offers help in maintaining employment
• Provides information and referral to other employment and community services

Better Jobs Ontario

Skills training and financial support for laid off workers

• training program must demonstrate good job prospects
• financial support based on need, may include tuition, instructional costs, books, transportation and/or a basic living allowance

Services for employers

• Offers help in identifying human resource skills requirements
• Provides matching of workplace needs to workers' skills, capabilities, interests and experience
• Provides support for developing on-the-job training plans and monitoring of placements to support retention

Canada-Ontario Job Grant

• Provides financial support for individual employers to purchase training for their employees
• Assistance available to small, medium and large businesses planning to deliver short-term training for existing or new employees

Youth Job Connection

• Offers paid pre-employment services, job matching, paid job placements with placement supports for participants and hiring incentives for employers
• Also provides mentorship and education and work transition supports

Youth Job Connection Summer

• Provides summer job opportunities and part-time job placements during the year

• Supports micro and small business development through financial investment and advisory services
• A volunteer Board of Directors can approve business loans of up to $300,000 for those that meet the criteria for business start-up or expansion
• Loans up to $700,000 will be considered on an exceptional basis and on a limited basis

Does not offer grants or forgivable loans

Offers business counselling services to assist individuals in developing a business proposal

Provides assistance in the following areas:

• Business plan preparation
• Cash flow projections
• Management procedures
• Marketing plans
• Product research
• Provides information on government self-help programs and services
• Provides contact with appropriate government agencies
• Assists in the preparation of loan applications and business plans

Functions as a regional development organization

Delivers three key programs in Northern Ontario:

Northern Ontario Development Program

• Assists with community economic development, business growth and competitiveness, and innovation activities, resulting in long-term benefits for local communities
• Provides repayable and non-repayable contributions to non profit organizations and small and medium-sized enterprises
• Priorities include:
  • Community Economic Development
  • Business Growth and Competitiveness
  • Innovation

Community Futures Program

• Supports 24 Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs) in Northern Ontario, providing an array of business and counselling services, as well as financial assistance to not-for-profit corporations and small and medium-sized businesses in Northern Ontario

Economic Development Initiative

• Provides support to Francophone communities for their economic development projects

Responsible for stimulating local economy and developing economic initiatives and opportunities for the community

• Provides information, training and educational workshops to enhance employability skills
• Posts employment opportunities at office
• Works to access funding for band-owned business ventures
• Provides coaching in areas such as business plan development and assistance in obtaining financial support for people wanting to start own business
• Maintains local business directory
• Responsible for development of plans for the use of traditional lands for community members

Small Business Loan Program

Provides financial loans with flexibility in repayment schedules for:

• Self-employment ventures
• Home-based businesses
• Enabling entrepreneurs to build equity and gain experience
• Support to existing businesses that have difficulty obtaining financial assistance

Bingo Funds Distribution

• Allocates the profits generated by the Nipissing First Nation Bingo to participating NFN charities through a request for funds
• Amounts allocated are based on the specific needs of the charity and the NFN Finance Committee reviews each request and decides the allocation

• Provides comprehensive employment and job search services
• Offers assessment of skills, interests and experience
• Provides job search strategies, including resume preparation
• Offers information about careers and occupations, local labour market, employment and training opportunities
• Coordinates on-the-job training, work experience
• Offers help in maintaining employment
• Provides information and referral to other employment and community services

Better Jobs Ontario

Skills training and financial support for laid off workers

• training program must demonstrate good job prospects
• financial support based on need, may include tuition, instructional costs, books, transportation and/or a basic living allowance

Services for employers

• Offers help in identifying human resource skills requirements
• Provides matching of workplace needs to workers' skills, capabilities, interests and experience
• Provides support for developing on-the-job training plans and monitoring of placements to support retention

Canada-Ontario Job Grant

• Provides financial support for individual employers to purchase training for their employees
• Assistance available to small, medium and large businesses planning to deliver short-term training for existing or new employees

Youth Job Connection

• Offers paid pre-employment services, job matching, paid job placements with placement supports for participants and hiring incentives for employers
• Also provides mentorship and education and work transition supports

Youth Job Connection Summer

• Provides summer job opportunities and part-time job placements during the year

• Provides convention services, festival and events planning
• Promotes Tourism and Tourism Development
• Offers general marketing support
• Provides access to economic research data

Functions as a business assistance centre providing information related to starting and operating businesses including but not limited to:

• business registration and incorporation
• enterprise and empowerment zones for tax credits
• small business loans

Offers the following supports and services:

• access to government contracts
• access to credit and financing resources
• loan form preparation assistance
• customized training
• technical assistance on market research, marketing plans and business plans

Responsible for stimulating local economy and developing economic initiatives and opportunities for the community

• Provides services through the guidance and partnership with Waubetek Business Development Corporation
• Works to generate and maintain permanent employment for individuals through the creation and support of self-employment initiatives and economic-based community projects
• Works to access funding for band-owned business ventures
• Provides coaching in areas such as business plan development and assistance in obtaining financial support for people wanting to start own business
• Maintains local business directory
• Assists with planning annual events such as Pow Wow and Dokis Summerfest
• Provides input with the Trust set up for eventual revenue from Hydro Project
• Provides assistance in the development of plans for the use of traditional lands for community members

Initiatives Dokis First Nation is currently involved with include but are not limited to:

• Dokis Quarry (opened in Sep 2011) and sale of community aggregate
• Okikendawt Hydro Project, a generating station located near the community on French River constructed and operated as a two-turbine run-of-the-river hydro project in partnership with Hydro Mega
• Construction of extensive hiking nature trails, bridges and rest areas around community over a period of 6 years; assists with on-going maintenance of trails
• Renovations to the Dokis First Nation museum and cultural centre to convert part of the museum and cultural centre into classrooms that will be available to local and regional school boards; provincial funding announced Feb 2017 from the Aboriginal Community Capital Grants Program (ACCGP) and the Aboriginal Economic Development Fund(AEDF) for this project

Outreach programs support women in gaining economic independence. Workshops offered in North, Central and South Almaguin Highlands (East Parry Sound District) include:

Entrepreneurial Skills Training - Two hour per week, ten week training includes sessions on asset-based self-assessment. Financial planning for sustainability. Feasibility and market analysis. Developing a business and marketing plan. Cash flow forecasts. Best business practices. Childcare and travel expenses may be available for program participants.

Life Skills Training - Two hour workshops explore self esteem and building confidence, time management and goal setting, household budgeting and banking, interpersonal communication skills and resume writing and job interviews.

Resource Networking - helps participants explore the most effective way to grow one's available resources, community connections, and business.

Provides information, referral and support to women in gaining economic independence through delivery of workshops, individual one-on-one support and community events.

Resources include:

• Business Services Centre available to ALL individuals and businesses
• Resource Lending library

Rural Outreach Program Endeavor - ROPE provides workshops assist women in gaining economic independence.

Comprehensive employment and job search services offering:

• assessment of skills, interests and experience
• job search strategies, including resume preparation
• information about careers and occupations, local labour market, employment and training opportunities
• on-the-job training, work experience, help in maintaining employment as well as information and referral to other employment and community services

Better Jobs Ontario

• skills training and financial support for laid-off workers

Services for employers

• help in identifying human resource skills requirements, matching of workplace needs to workers' skills, capabilities, interests and experience
• support for developing on-the-job training plans and monitoring of placements to support retention

Canada-Ontario Job Grant

• financial support for individual employers to purchase training for their employees
• available to small, medium and large businesses planning to deliver short-term training for existing or new employees

Youth Job Connection

• paid pre-employment services
• job matching, paid job placements with placement supports for participants and hiring incentives for employers
• mentorship, education and work transition supports

Youth Job Connection Summer

• summer job opportunities and part-time job placements during the year

Assists Ontario Works participants by providing:

• Assistance in job searches and researching job opportunities
• Computer use and assistance to update resumés and write cover letters
• Employment counselling in various areas including preparing for interviews
• Information about related programs

Offers access to the following job search tools:

• Access to Service Canada Job bank website
• Community Placement Program (for volunteer opportunities)
• Computer and Internet access
• Fax machine, phone and photocopier
• Free telephone and message services
• Information on the Employment Placement Program (for paid employment and training)

• Provides comprehensive employment and job search services
• Offers assessment of skills, interests and experience
• Provides job search strategies, including resume preparation
• Offers information about careers and occupations, local labour market, employment and training opportunities
• Coordinates on-the-job training, work experience
• Offers help in maintaining employment
• Provides information and referral to other employment and community services

Better Jobs Ontario

Skills training and financial support for laid off workers

• training program must demonstrate good job prospects
• financial support based on need, may include tuition, instructional costs, books, transportation and/or a basic living allowance

Services for employers

• Offers help in identifying human resource skills requirements
• Provides matching of workplace needs to workers' skills, capabilities, interests and experience
• Provides support for developing on-the-job training plans and monitoring of placements to support retention

Canada-Ontario Job Grant

• Provides financial support for individual employers to purchase training for their employees
• Assistance available to small, medium and large businesses planning to deliver short-term training for existing or new employees

Youth Job Connection

• Offers paid pre-employment services, job matching, paid job placements with placement supports for participants and hiring incentives for employers
• Also provides mentorship and education and work transition supports

Youth Job Connection Summer

• Provides summer job opportunities and part-time job placements during the year

• Provides convention services, festival and events planning
• Promotes Tourism and Tourism Development
• Offers general marketing support
• Provides access to economic research data

Functions as a business assistance centre providing information related to starting and operating businesses including but not limited to:

• business registration and incorporation
• enterprise and empowerment zones for tax credits
• small business loans

Offers the following supports and services:

• access to government contracts
• access to credit and financing resources
• loan form preparation assistance
• customized training
• technical assistance on market research, marketing plans and business plans

Responsible for stimulating local economy and developing economic initiatives and opportunities for the community

• Provides services through the guidance and partnership with Waubetek Business Development Corporation
• Works to generate and maintain permanent employment for individuals through the creation and support of self-employment initiatives and economic-based community projects
• Works to access funding for band-owned business ventures
• Provides coaching in areas such as business plan development and assistance in obtaining financial support for people wanting to start own business
• Maintains local business directory
• Assists with planning annual events such as Annual Pow Wow
• Provides assistance in the development of plans for the use of traditional lands for community members

Initiatives Henvey Inlet First Nation (HIFN) is currently involved with include but are not limited to:

• Partnership with Bekanon Lease Management Corporation to manage the leased lands
• Ownership and management of Pickerel Contracting Ltd which works to meet the housing needs of the community
• Operation of Henvey Inlet Wind (owned by HIFN's Nigig Power Corporation) which has partnered with private company, Pattern Energy Group, to build a 300-megawatt wind farm on community land; currently working on a transmission line plan from HIFN to tap into the existing Hydro One line with projected construction to begin winter 2017; harnessed power will eventually be sold to the grid; Wind Farm operational Oct 2019
• Forest management
• Aggregate (gravel) and pit operations

Employment resources and coaching to find sustainable employment in Ontario

• assessment of skills, interests and abilities
• job search strategies and support, including resume development and interview preparation
• information about careers and occupations, local labour market, employment opportunities
• help in maintaining employment
• information and referral to other employment and community services

All services at this site can be tailored to meet the needs of individual client groups including Francophones, Indigenous peoples, Older workers, Persons with disabilities, Persons on social assistance, Immigrants/newcomers, Women, Students, Youth and Businesses

Better Jobs Ontario

• skills training and financial support for laid-off workers

Services for employers

• help in identifying human resource skills requirements
• matching of workplace needs to workers' skills, capabilities, interests and experience
• support for developing on-the-job training plans and monitoring of placements to support retention

Canada-Ontario Job Grant

• financial support for individual employers to purchase training for their employees
• available to small, medium and large businesses planning to deliver short-term training for existing or new employees

Co-working space designed to provide work space, meeting space, and business support.

Equipped with one Gig internet speed, shared resources, easy access to the highway and ample parking.

• Provides comprehensive employment and job search services
• Offers assessment of skills, interests and experience
• Provides job search strategies, including resume preparation
• Offers information about careers and occupations, local labour market, employment and training opportunities
• Coordinates on-the-job training, work experience
• Offers help in maintaining employment
• Provides information and referral to other employment and community services

Better Jobs Ontario

Skills training and financial support for laid off workers

• training program must demonstrate good job prospects
• financial support based on need, may include tuition, instructional costs, books, transportation and/or a basic living allowance

Services for employers

• Offers help in identifying human resource skills requirements
• Provides matching of workplace needs to workers' skills, capabilities, interests and experience
• Provides support for developing on-the-job training plans and monitoring of placements to support retention

Canada-Ontario Job Grant

• Provides financial support for individual employers to purchase training for their employees
• Assistance available to small, medium and large businesses planning to deliver short-term training for existing or new employees

COVID-19 Response
All in person Service Canada Centres are closed to the public until further notice. Clients can apply for critical services online. Personal service support for EI and pension applications are available through e-service online and on mobile phones.
Many online services available at Canada.ca/service-canada-home. For assistance accessing services, complete online request at Canada.ca/service-canada-e-service.

Regular Service
One-stop service delivery for a wide range of federal programs and services. Internet access and assistance locating and applying for government programs including Employment Insurance, Social Insurance Numbers, Canada Pension Plan, Old Age Security and passports (see separate entries for program details), as well as Apprenticeship Incentive Grant, Canada Education Savings Grant, Pleasure Craft Licences and others.

Student/youth employment services available May-August through Service Canada Centres for Youth -- see separate entry.