Plus Ontario East AGM February 4 at EDCO, Regional Defense Investment Initiative (RDII) now open in southern Ontario, CanExport Community Investments, Call for Proposals 2026-27, Happy Holidays from Ontario East
Ontario East Quarterly Meeting and Networking Event
Thank you to everyone who joined us in Kingston on December 5 for an informative session covering a wide variety of current economic development topics, we really appreciate the contribution of our guest speakers Ben McIlquham, Kingston Economic Development, Gillian Sheldon, NGen, Margaret Mervin, OPG, Dan Ruby, OVIN, Ann Marie Kelleher, FedDev Ontario and, Lori Coleman MEDJCT - what great partners and future opportunities we have in eastern Ontario! Save the date for our next Quarterly Meeting & Networking Event in Pembroke, Renfrew County on May 29, 2026 where we will have another great line-up of speakers to share insights and opportunities for the region.
Ontario East AGM February 4 at EDCO
The Ontario East Economic Development Commission will hold its Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 during the EDCO Conference in Toronto (~4pm after the final session of the day in Pier 2 Room) at Westin Harbour Castle https://edco.on.ca/conference/. All Ontario East members are welcome to join us to review 2025 activities, financials and welcome the 2026-27 Board of Directors.
Ontario East News
If you have any news that you would like us to share, please forward to info@ontarioeast.ca.
Regional Defence Investment Initiative (RDII) now open in southern Ontario
The Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) is committed to working with industry leaders, community leaders, business owners, entrepreneurs, and organizations across southern Ontario to help businesses grow and reach new markets.
The Regional Defence Investment Initiative (RDII) is now open in southern Ontario. The RDII is a $357.7 million national initiative, delivered by Canada’s regional development agencies, which aims to accelerate the integration of businesses and regional ecosystems into domestic and international defence supply chains, and increasing their industrial and innovation capacity. This includes investment in businesses whose products and services are dual use or who seek to pivot their activities to supply the defence sector.
Southern Ontario is home to a dynamic defence ecosystem, with strengths in advanced manufacturing, aerospace, automotive technologies, cybersecurity, robotics and AI. The region is well-positioned to seize new defence opportunities and strengthen its role in global supply chains. To help support the sector, FedDev Ontario is introducing a defence concierge function, which will provide support to companies looking to explore defence-related opportunities, information, services and/or funding.
Eligible businesses and organizations are encouraged to visit FedDev Ontario: Regional Defence Investment Initiative (RDII) for information on how to apply and to register for an upcoming technical briefing on the program.
Apply by January 21, 2026, if your proposed project and eligible costs start before March 31, 2026. Applications that show immediate and significant expenditure need during the current fiscal year will be given priority. If your project and proposed activities start on or after April 1, 2026, applications will be accepted until funding is fully committed.
CanExport Community Investments, Call for Proposals 2026-27
The 2026-27 Call for Proposals for CanExport Community Investments will be from Monday January 05 to Friday January 31, 2026, at 02:59AM EST. Through this program, communities can strengthen their readiness to attract foreign direct investment and position themselves for long-term growth. We will send you a reminder once the portal is formally open.
Please be sure to highlight your target markets in your application. As noted in Budget 2025, Canada is investing in diversifying trade with reliable economic partners, so understanding your markets of interest will be critical. Furthermore, should your activities target the Indo-Pacific Region, or the defence sector, there is additional funding available.
