The Fédération des gens d'affaires francophones de l'Ontario (FGA) launches its first initiatives to serve the Franco-Ontarian business community - Fédération des gens d'affaires francophones de l'Ontario

The Fédération des gens d’affaires francophones de l’Ontario (FGA) launches its first initiatives to serve the Franco-Ontarian business community

Toronto, January 28, 2021 —After the Honourable Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Francophone Affairs, announced on Dec 3, 2020 that Club canadien de Toronto would establish the Fédération des gens d’affaires francophones de l’Ontario (FGA), the 14 founding organizations[1] of this new major player on the Franco-Ontarian economic scene are pleased to announce its official launch. The first services and activities are now available to members to create new strategic business trades.

“The Federation already benefits from broad support in the Francophone business community and this will have a positive impact on the implementation of this initiative, which is based on an integrated approach informed by consultation and partnerships. By contributing to the creation of this new network of businesses, the Government of Ontario is giving a boost to the province’s economic recovery by ensuring the enhanced collaboration and visibility of businesses participating in the Francophone economy.” —Caroline Mulroney, Ontario Minister of Francophone Affairs.

After several months of working together and thanks to a $250,000 grant from the Ministry of Francophone Affairs, the FGA’s founding members, a new economic partner for Franco-Ontarians, launched its operations to provide a forum and a resourceful platform for the province’s Francophone institutions, organizations and businesses.

“I would like to thank the 14 founding organizations which are working tirelessly to make the FGA a key business partner in promoting the economic value of the Franco-Ontarian community. The recognized and respected expertise of each one of our organizations have allowed us to define a strong leadership and create valuable programs for our members. In the context of a pandemic that continues to increase the challenges faced by our businesses, it is necessary to create collaboration opportunities and to work together to further grow our economic forces. This is why I invite the entire Ontario business community to take part in the launch of our organization today during an online event hosted by Sabine Daniel. —Dominic Mailloux, Board Chair at FGA.

Opening Event

To celebrate the opening of the FGA, our first networking event will take place today at 11:30 a.m. Open to the public and free of charge, this online event will provide an opportunity to learn more about the services and innovative activities offered by the FGA, and will feature a message from the Honourable Caroline Mulroney as well as a live musical performance by Damien Robitaille.

In addition to presenting the FGA services, this event will introduce the new Quartier d’affaires portal, a smart Franco-Ontarian “Business-to-business” platform linked to B2beematch.com, which makes it easier to connect with verified service providers or suppliers by matching potential clients and partners locally and around the world. In its “Business-to-consumers” version, this digital platform will also offer a showcase for Franco-Ontarian businesses looking to expand their reach and sell their products or services to the general public, not only in Ontario but across the country.

“To do this, we want to innovate and develop new functions that will allow francophone businesses and not for profit organizations in Ontario, that have been affected by the pandemic, to equip themselves with digital tools that will allow them to increase their trading opportunities—across the province, in Canada and internationally,”, explains Julie Potvin, Vice-Chair of the RGA and Vice-Chair of the FGA.

Quartier d’affaires is the second phase of the strategy, supported by MAFO and fits perfectly with the development and sustainability objectives of the FGA.

First programs for FGA members

To promote the development of the economic Francophonie throughout the province, the country and internationally, the FGA is offering a range of tools and services exclusive to Franco-Ontarian businesses and organizations which are members. The first initiatives are:

Mentorship Program This personalized discussion service offers mentor’s support (from an experienced Certified GrowthWheel® practitioner) to the mentee, providing them with an opportunity to learn and reflect on a strategic issue to foster their professional and entrepreneurial development.
Women Entrepreneurship Program A series of six online workshops, each lasting an hour and a half, is designed and offered free of charge to Franco-Ontarian women entrepreneurs who are looking to equip themselves to grow their business, particularly in the context of the current pandemic. These workshops will take place over six consecutive weeks in February and March 2021 and will focus on themes specific to women entrepreneurship.
Concierge Service The FGA offers a concierge service to francophone business people in Ontario in the following areas: Exploring entrepreneurship, Setting up a business (self-employment or incorporated business), Government funding for businesses, and Obtaining public procurement contracts. Members will be able to receive support and referrals to solutions in these four areas from the FGA.

For more information on these services, please contactinfo@fedefranco.ca.

FGA membership, a trading post

The FGA amplifies and facilitates strategic economic trades to strive for greater synergy among Franco-Ontarian entrepreneurs and businesses throughout the province. The FGA’s membership program creates a large provincial network that takes into account the realities and challenges of the regions to promote both their unique assets and their economic forces. In addition to supporting the mission and activities of the FGA, members receive exclusive benefits tailored to each category:

Corporate: Open to any Ontario business or organization that shares the FGA’s vision and mission and wants to help it achieve its goals.
Associate: Open to any local, regional, or provincial business association based in Ontario.
Individual: Open to any private company, entrepreneur, or business person located in an area not already represented by an associate member.

For more information on membership, click here.

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[1] Association des femmes d’affaires francophones, Clarence-Rockland Chamber of Commerce, Club Canadien de Toronto, Cooperation Council of Ontario, Fondation franco-ontarienne, Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce, Hawkesbury Chamber of Commerce, Prescott-Russell Chamber of Commerce, Regroupement affaires femmes, Regroupement des gens d’affaires de la Capitale nationale (RGA), Société Économique de l’Ontario, Timmins Chamber of Commerce, Union des Cultivateurs Franco-Ontariens, and Venture Niagara.

About the Fédération des gens d’affaires francophones de l’Ontario

The Fédération des gens d’affaires francophones de l’Ontario brings together, represents and advances the social and economic interests of its members with the various levels of government, business partners and the general public through principled policy development, resourceful business services and innovative activities focused on the development of Francophone business markets.

Contacts and interview requests

FGA Communications
media@fedefranco.ca