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THOMPSON—Culture, Heritage, Tourism and Sport Minister Eric Robinson, acting minister of Aboriginal and northern affairs, along with Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives (MAFRI) Minister Rosann Wowchuk were joined by northern officials to officially open the new Communities Economic Development Fund (CEDF) head office here today.  

 

“Throughout its history, CEDF has had a solid record of supporting northerners developing businesses,” Robinson said.  “It is appropriate that it now has its own head office building in the north serving the north. 

 

“The mandate of CEDF, to encourage economic development in northern Manitoba through the provision of financial assistance in the form of loans and guarantees and other forms of technical assistance, has been extremely successful and it is no coincidence that related provincial government activities such as the MAFRI Go Centres are working directly with CEDF.”

 

“CEDF is a critical part of our commitment to further community development under the Northern Development Strategy,” Wowchuk said, noting the CEDF portfolio of $24 million in loans supports more than 1,300 businesses and individual harvesters with revenues to the north exceeding $75 million and supporting more than 2,000 jobs.  

 

As part of the opening ceremonies, the ministers and northern officials unveiled a plaque in memory of the late Oscar Lathlin, minister responsible for CEDF from 2002 until his death in 2008. The plaque noted that Lathlin was a leader in northern development issues and was instrumental in the process leading to CEDF building its head offices in Thompson. A constant champion of northern development, Lathlin was very supportive of this project as a symbol of commitment to the region through programs and investment, Robinson said.

 

CEDF employs 16 staff with field offices in The Pas, Swan River, Gimli and Winnipeg. The 4,000-square-foot head office of the Crown corporation replaces previous rented office space. 

 

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