News

$380,500 to Improve Community Spaces and Events in Nipissing

NORTH BAY – Today, at the newly acquired space of Les Compagnons, Vic Fedeli, MPP for Nipissing, announced that the Ontario government is investing $380,500 to support three community events, two non-profit organizations and one municipality this year through the Ontario Trillium Foundation’s (OTF) Capital Grant stream and the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund (NOHFC) Community Events Program. These investments will support improvements to community spaces, expand access to local programs and activities, and help organizations enhance their event visibility.

“Our local non-profit organizations and municipalities are delivering programming that helps people stay active, learn new skills and connect with their communities. Today’s investments through the OTF and the NOHFC provide economic growth and ensure residents continue to benefit from the services and events that make Nipissing a great place to live, work and raise a family,” said MPP Vic Fedeli. “Our government will continue to protect Ontario by helping Northern communities increase local tourism by attracting visitors from near and far who want to enjoy all that Nipissing has to offer.”

Organizations receiving OTF funding include:

• $195,300 for the Municipality of East Ferris to design and build two accessible playgrounds
• $114,100 for Les Compagnons des francs loisirs to replace equipment and mascot costumes
• $26,100 for the Discovery Routes Trails Organization to purchase grooming equipment and improve trail signage along the trails

Organizations receiving NOHFC Event funding include:

• $15,000 for Les Compagnons des francs loisirs’ for the Saint-Jean-Baptiste event that happened in June 2026
• $15,000 for the Capitol Centre’s Bay Block Party, happening on August 22, 2026
• $15,000 for the Nipissing Region Curatorial Collective’s North Bay May Beats Music Festival, happening on Sept 11,12 and 19, 2026

OTF’s Capital grant stream helps organizations improve their infrastructure so they can continue delivering programs and services that Ontarians need to thrive. Whether it’s purchasing equipment, building a new space, or completing renovations, retrofits, or repairs, these grants support projects that are making a difference in Nipissing. Please visit OTF’s website for more information.

The Ontario government is prioritizing investments through the NOHFC that protect northern industries and jobs, mitigate the impacts of U.S. tariffs and trade disruptions and secure new opportunities for the long-term prosperity of Northern Ontario. The renewed focus is enhancing competitiveness and ensuring the North remains a leader in Ontario’s economy.

This new direction is in addition to the province’s investment of an additional $30 million over three years, bringing the NOHFC’s annual budget to a total of $110 million. Together, these initiatives will benefit communities of all sizes, rural and urban, and Indigenous communities. For further information about NOHFC please visit NOHFC – Home | NOHFC.

QUOTES

“As an organization with a regional mandate to serve the francophone community of the District of Nipissing, Les Compagnons des francs loisirs are deeply grateful for the support from Province of Ontario for it’s confidence in our organization through funding from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) and the Ontario Trillium Foundation. The NOHFC has been instrumental in building a team for us to grow. A few years ago, we were just a club, now we are a full-service organisation. This latest funding continues to build on the organisation’s ability to offer events such as St-Jean festival and attract francophone tourists to our community. The Ontario Trillium Foundation’s significant investment will help make arts and culture more accessible to francophone communities living in a minority setting, across a dozen communities in our district. The equipment acquired through this grant will not only strengthen our own programming, but will also be held in trust and shared with our francophone community partners, ensuring that local francophone artists and community members throughout the region benefit from these resources for years to come.” – Yaye Peukassa, Director, Les Compagnons.

“On behalf of the Municipality and the citizens of East Ferris, I would like to thank the Ontario Trillium Foundation and MPP Vic Fedeli for this funding. The funds will assist the Municipality to develop 2 new accessible playgrounds in areas of the municipality that have experienced significant recent growth and specifically an increasing number of young families. By proactively investing in accessible recreational infrastructure in high-growth areas, the municipality is ensuring equitable access to services, supporting inclusive communities, and responding directly to the needs of its changing population.” – Mayor Rick Champagne, East Ferris.

“Discovery Routes is proud to support the dedicated volunteers behind the Almaguin Community Trails. In communities across the North, volunteers are the driving force behind our trails, creating outdoor opportunities for local youth and families through years of hard work and commitment. This funding will provide the equipment and resources they need to continue growing the trail network and ensuring it remains a safe, welcoming community asset for years to come.” – Jennifer McCourt, Executive Director, Discovery Routes.”

“The BayBeats Music Festival team has been supported by MPP Fedeli’s office for many years. This year, as we feature more local and regional artists than ever before and create a beachside HAPPENING at Shabogesic Beach, the provincial government’s NOHFC community events grant will help us to make a “giant leap forward” to becoming a cultural attraction and incubator for the Nipissing region. Special thanks to the Officers at NOHFC who work tirelessly behind the scenes to foster art and culture across the province.” – Dermot Wilson, Nipissing Region Curatorial Collective.

“With support from the NOHFC – Community Events Stream, the Capitol Centre is thrilled to expand Bay Block Party programming to two days this year. In addition to the Saturday event, which will remain similar to years past, we are also launching the Bay Block Pre-Party on Friday, August 21 from 5pm till late. The Pre-Party will have local artists performing at six different venues downtown as well as outdoor buskers and street entertainers on Main Street between Fraser and Wyld. There will be a Downtown Gallery Hop- BBP Edition as well as a Downtown Scavenger Hunt ensuring engaging and interactive entertainment for all ages to kick off a weekend of fun for the whole community. We’re excited to be growing this much-loved event and can’t wait to see you out on August 21st and 22nd.” – Katina Connolly, Executive Director, Capitol Centre.

Quick Facts

• The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming. Its mandate is to build healthy and vibrant communities across Ontario by investing in community-based initiatives and strengthening the impact of the province’s non-profit sector. OTF programs support the arts, culture, heritage, sports and recreation, human and social services, and environment sectors across the province.
• The Ontario government has invested more than $887 million in more than 8,000 projects since 2018. These investments have created more than 12,000 full time jobs and generated over $1.3 billion in economic benefits for communities across the province.
• Through its funding programs, the NOHFC offers support to public and private sector economic development projects across northern Ontario.
• Since June 2018, the NOHFC has invested more than $1 billion in over 8,600 projects in northern Ontario, leveraging more than $3.3 billion in investment and creating or sustaining over 13,400 jobs.

Additional Resources

• The NOHFC, Northern Development Offices and Small Business Enterprise Centres support northern communities, businesses and other stakeholders in identifying economic development opportunities and government funding programs.