Ontario Canada

An emerging hub for international business

During the past ten years, foreign direct investment in Ontario has soared as multinationals recognized the tremendous advantages of doing business here.

Six of the world’s largest automotive companies and eight of the world’s 10 largest chemical companies are here. So are nearly all the international leaders in life sciences, ICT and aerospace. Many Ontario operations have global mandates for key products.

The TSX Group (the Toronto Stock Exchange and the TSX Venture Exchange) is the world’s leading financial market for mining, oil and gas, second for technology and third for life sciences.

We’re part of the $13.8+ trillion NAFTA market. We also have solid business connections with Europe and Asia. Our total trade with leading European countries has grown to more than $17 billion annually and more than $26 billion with Asian leaders.

A growing, dynamic economy

We have one of North America’s top ten economies. Our GDP, at more than $410 billion, is larger than that of Switzerland, Belgium, Sweden or Austria.

We have a broadly diversified economy. We produce more autos than anyone else on the continent. We are a world leader in mining and North America’s 3rd largest centre for biotech and financial services.

We have a strong track record for solid economic growth. During the 1993 to 2005 period, our economy grew faster than that of any G7 nation. Looking ahead, economists expect Ontario to continue to grow relatively quickly through to 2008.

An environment that fosters innovation

We have a rich history of producing innovations that change the world, from heart pacemakers to BlackBerry wireless devices to the Maya software that brings to life spectacular Hollywood movies such as Lord of the Rings and Star Wars.

Corporate and public sector researchers conduct more than $8.5 billion in R&D every year in Ontario.

We are home to world-leading research institutes and Centres of Excellence that work closely with industry partners to bring new products to market.

We offer the most generous R&D tax incentives program in the G7.

Fast, flexible distribution networks

We have an export-oriented business culture. We export more, on a per capita basis, than any G7 nation. To support exports, we maintain a top-ranked business infrastructure with direct connections to NAFTA and world markets.

We have 15 road, rail and marine border crossings with the United States.

With five international airports and a network of regional airports, business centres like Toronto, Hamilton, London, Thunder Bay and Ottawa are only a two-to-three hour flight from major U.S. centres.

Our telecommunications networks are among the world’s best, offering seamless international voice, video and data connections through a choice of carriers.

A snapshot of our exceptional workforce

Well-educated: A higher percentage of our workforce has post-secondary education than in any G7 country.

Skilled: Our network of 20 universities and 24 colleges trains students in every field from the skilled trades to the most advanced areas of science, engineering and business.

Dependable: Our workers on-the-job average is 8 years, in manufacturing it’s 9 years, and that translates into lower training costs.

Ethnically diverse: We speak more than 100 languages which means we can work with your customers and suppliers in their own language, anywhere in the world.

Ontario’s business cost advantage

Canada’s business costs are the most competitive of any G7 country, a fact that was confirmed once again in KPMG’s 2006 Competitive Alternatives study of international business costs. The same report showed that Toronto—Ontario’s economic, cultural and political capital—has the 4th lowest business cost structure among 31 large cities in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific.

Ontario’s combined (provincial and federal) general corporate income tax rate is almost 4 percentage points below the U.S. average.

Business telephone rates in Canada are the lowest of any G7 country.

Our payroll taxes are the lowest of any G7 country. Our public health care system keeps the cost of employee health benefits relatively low for Ontario companies. Most services, such as doctor’s fees, tests and hospital stays, are paid through the public health system.

Business in Ontario pays dividends

Internationally competitive business costs

Skilled, well-educated workforce

Superior infrastructure

Exceptional R&D tax incentives

Government committed to innovation and growth

We can help

Call: 1-800-819-8701 (North America)
00-800-46-68-27-46 (U.K. and Europe)

Email: info@2ontario.com

Or visit us at: www.2ontario.com