The Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) was established in August 2009 in response to the global economic recession. Home to more than 12 million residents (representing 94% of the population in Ontario, and 36% of the total population of Canada), southern Ontario is a key contributor to the health of the Canadian economy. FedDev Ontario was given a five-year mandate to support the competitiveness, innovation, and diversification of southern Ontario's economy by delivering strategic investments to businesses, not-for -profit organizations and communities; establishing and strengthening collaborative partnerships with key economic stakeholders; and representing the region's interests at the federal and national level. This mandate was renewed for anotherfive years in the March 2013 budget.