Ontario is investing nearly $2 million in Succession Ontario to help entrepreneurs plan for the future, protect jobs, and strengthen local communities.

February 22, 2026

Ontario Investing Nearly $2 Million to Help Entrepreneurs Plan for the Future Succession Ontario will help business owners protect jobs, strengthen local communities and build a more resilient economy


February 03, 2026
Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade


TORONTO — The Ontario government is investing nearly $2 million to establish Ontario’s first-ever business succession planning services hub to help entrepreneurs prepare for the critical process of smooth ownership transition. To deliver on the government’s plan to protect Ontario businesses and workers, Succession Ontario provides essential tools and guidance to sell or buy a business, protecting good-paying jobs and strengthening communities across the province.


Delivered by the Kingston Economic Development Corporation (KEDCO), Succession Ontario is an online hub that provides tools and resources to help business owners understand the requirements for selling and exiting their business. To further support the planning process, Small Business Enterprise Centres (SBECs) located across the province will receive training and resources to acquire the knowledge and skills they need to deliver one-on-one advisory services in their local communities.


“Whether it’s a family farm in Prince Edward County or a local convenience store in Sarnia, a small business can leave a lasting positive impact in their community when smoothly bought, sold or passed to the next generation,” said Nina Tangri, Associate Minister of Small Business. “As many business owners prepare to retire over the next decade, our government is helping them plan for the future, so their business can continue to thrive under new leadership.”


First announced in the 2025 Budget, A Plan to Protect Ontario, Succession Ontario demonstrates how the province’s support for small businesses is helping strengthen local economies, create jobs, drive long-term economic growth and keep Ontario competitive and resilient.

“Ensuring that businesses and the jobs that they create stay in our local communities is a top economic priority,” said Donna Gillespie, CEO of the Kingston Economic Development Corporation. “We’re proud to partner with the province and our network of 54 Small Business Enterprise Centres to deliver the training and tools entrepreneurs need to plan for the future and protect Ontario’s economy.”


With U.S. tariffs impacting workers and businesses across key sectors, the Ontario government continues to take decisive action to protect Ontario by lowering taxes, cutting red tape and duplicative processes, and making strategic investments. By helping small businesses succeed, Ontario will unleash its economic potential and make the province’s economy the most competitive place in the G7 to invest, create jobs and do business.


Quick Facts

  • Following an August 2025 call for proposals from SBECs, KEDCO scored highest for its proven track record and experience in delivering effective succession planning services.
  • Only one in 10 small business owners in Canada have a formal succession plan.
  • There are over 500,000 small businesses in Ontario, accounting for approximately 98 per cent of all businesses and employing nearly 2.5 million people.
  • SBECs provide advisory services, training, and programs to help entrepreneurs launch and grow businesses.
  • Ontario’s 54 SBEC locations have helped start over 8,000 businesses, expand 2,700 and create more than 15,800 jobs in 2024-25.


Additional Resources


Media Contacts

Anushka Tiwari
Minister’s Office
Anushka.Tiwari@ontario.ca

Media Relations
Communications Branch
economy.media@ontario.ca

Saugeen Connects Student Start Up Program Comes to a Seasonal Close With 38 Businesses Launched

September 11, 2026
Saugeen Connects Student Start Up Program Comes to a Seasonal Close With 38 Businesses Launched NEUSTADT, West Grey, Ontario — After an exciting seventh summer, Saugeen Connects is celebrating the 2026 Saugeen Student Start Up Program (SSUP), where 40 local youth launched 38 businesses and gained valuable experience as young entrepreneurs. SSUP is designed for school-aged youth in Grades 6–12 within the Saugeen Connects catchment area, which encompasses the Town of Minto, Township of Wellington North, Town of Hanover, Municipality of South Bruce, and Municipality of Brockton. The SSUP program provides them with the opportunity to develop the skills, confidence and experience to run their own business during the summer. Through start-up funding and five hands-on workshops led by industry professionals, students learn essential business and soft skills, including customer service, budgeting, marketing, artificial intelligence and creating a successful business booth. SSUP gives young entrepreneurs the tools and support they need to turn their ideas into a real summer businesses. Program participant Gavin Kaastra-Penner, founder of Dough-pamine, shared, “The virtual programs really taught me a lot and helped me grow my business.” Fellow entrepreneurs Alexander and Xavier Ellis, who launched Double Edge Sharpening, added, “We would recommend the SSUP program to other students. It is very hard to start a business without any money, and this program has helped my brother and I get our feet off the ground.” This year’s student businesses offered a diverse mix of products and services, including handmade jewelry, organic produce, skate sharpening, babysitting, lawn care, nail services, baking, tutoring, custom stickers and other innovative ventures. Throughout the summer, students also had opportunities to take their businesses into the community by participating in local fairs, markets and events. These experiences allowed them to put their new skills into practice, interact with customers and gain valuable hands-on experience running their businesses. The Saugeen Connects committee expressed its appreciation to the sponsors who continue to make the Saugeen Student Start Up Program possible. This year, sponsors invested $26,050 in the program, providing local youth with valuable opportunities to develop their entrepreneurial skills, explore their ideas and gain hands-on experience. Their investment reflects a strong commitment to education, innovation and community growth, and has played an important role in helping SSUP students turn their ideas into successful summer ventures. Saugeen Connects is an economic development partnership between Brockton, South Bruce, Hanover, Minto, Wellington North and the Saugeen Economic Development Corporation (SEDC). The program is made possible through support from member municipalities and private-sector sponsors. Saugeen Connects extends its sincere appreciation to all of this year's sponsors: Five Star Sponsors County of Wellington Township of Wellington North Grey County Bruce County Hanover, Bentinck & Brant Agricultural Society Hanover Raceway Saugeen Economic Development Corporation Blessings To You Centre Live By Design Immigration Services Mildmay-Carrick Optimist Club Walkerton Legion CMR Insurance – Daniel & Melanie Craig Memorial Tournament Three Star Sponsors Hanover Lions Club HIPP Entrepreneur (Hanover’s Innovative People Program) Walkerton District Optimist Club Harriston Legion Teeswater Kinsmen 88.7 The River Community Radio BJ Industries Inc. Hanover Rotary Club One Star Sponsors Minto Chamber of Commerce Hanover Chamber of Commerce Clifford Rotary Club South Bruce Community & Business Association Mildmay Chamber of Commerce Buddsteel Architectural Products Ltd. Walkerton Kinsmen Club Teeswater Swans Palmerston Lions Club Harriston Kinsmen Club Friends of the Program : Formosa Lions  For more information on the program participants and sponsors visit saugeenconnects.com/youth.