Enabling Opportunity in Rural Ontario

• Our government recognizes that rural Ontario is the backbone of our economy, contributing $113.3 billion in GDP and employing over 1.2 million people.
• Our new Enabling Opportunity: Ontario’s Rural Economic Development Strategy reflects our government’s commitment to ensuring rural communities are places where people want to live, work, raise a family and grow a business.
• This strategy will unlock the full potential of rural Ontario by focusing on three key pillars:
  • Safe and Strong Rural Communities
  • Business Development and Attraction
  • Growing the Rural Workforce
• This Strategy represents a whole of government commitment to improve economic opportunities, create, and retain jobs and support economic growth and resilience in rural communities across the province.
• To address these challenges and support continued growth, we are replacing the Rural Economic Development Program with the new Rural Ontario Development Program and doubling its funding to $20 million over the next two years.
• This new program reflects our commitment to the ongoing development and success of Rural Ontario.