Demographics
Population
- 12.4 million (2004)
- Represents over 100 ethnic cultures
- More than half of all new Canadians settle in Ontario
Total labour force (000s), 2004: 6,775
Employment by industry (000s), 2004
| Manufacturing |
1,109.0 |
| Trade |
963.2 |
| Health care and social assistance |
635.9 |
Total Area: 1,076,395 sq km 2
Population of major urban centres, 2004
(Census Metropolitan Areas - 000s)
| Toronto (capital) |
5,654.3 |
| Ottawa |
829.6 |
| Hamilton |
519.7 |
| Waterloo |
475.7 |
| Greater Sudbury |
160.9 |
| Thunder Bay |
154.8 |
Languages (%), Census 2001
| English mother tongue |
70.5 |
| French mother tongue |
4.5 |
| Speaking both official languages |
11,6 |
Economy
| Real GDP growth |
2.6% |
| Consumer Price Index inflation |
1.9% |
Unemployment rate
|
6.8% |
Total international trade ($ CDN billions)
| Exports |
198.9 |
| Imports |
220.3 |
Trade and Investment (2004)
International export markets (%)
| United States |
90.6 |
| United Kingdom |
2.0 |
| China |
0.7 |
Top three international exports (%)
| Motor vehicles & parts |
38.1 |
| Machinery |
11.0 |
| Electrical machinery & equipment |
5.3 |
International import suppliers (%)
| United States |
69.1 |
| China |
5.6 |
| Mexico |
5.0 |
Top three international imports (%)
| Motor vehicles & parts |
22.9 |
| Machinery |
18.0 |
Electrical machinery & equipment
|
11.0 |
Business and Investment Environment
- Private sector analysts predict Ontario ’s average growth during 2005-2007will exceed that of the U.K. Japan, France , Italy and Germany .
- Proximity to NAFTA markets: the Windsor/Detroit gateway is the single largest corridor of international trade in the world, with trade worth over US$100 billion a year.
- An excellent educational infrastructure of 44 universities and colleges, with thousands of students enrolled in degree and certificate programs in mechanical, industrial, materials, electrical, computer and systems engineering, provides a steady flow of highly skilled labour.
- A strong education infrastructure including six universities and over 20 public colleges and technical schools produces a wealth of new talent – 66 per cent of employees have post-secondary education and more than 21 per cent hold a university degree.
Sectoral Strengths
Information and communications technologies (ICT)
- The Greater Toronto Area ( GTA ) is the third largest ICT cluster in North America .
- ICT workforce of more than 230,000, with 75 percent having a post-secondary degree.
- Home to over 5,000 innovative ICT companies.
Automotive
- Accounts for 97 percent of Canada ’s automotive production, and manufactures one in every six vehicles built in North America .
- Home to seven of the world’s largest vehicle manufacturers, 14 vehicle assembly plants, more than 400 auto-parts manufacturing facilities as well as two commercial truck plants.
Life sciences (biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical devices)
- Has Canada 's largest and North America 's fourth largest biomedical industry cluster.
- More than half of Canada ’s brand-name pharmaceutical and medical devices industries, and almost half the medical biotechnology industry are located in Ontario .
- Availability of an excellent biotech R&D; infrastructure comprising over 100 biotech companies, more than 60 renowned research centres and 2,500 highly educated scientists, engineers and technicians.
Chemical and plastics
- Canada ’s largest chemical producer, leading petroleum-refining region and the hub of the nation’s plastics industry.
- Third largest plastics producer in North America , after California and Ohio . And almost 50 percent of all Canadian plastics firms are located in the province.
Aerospace
- More than 350 globally competitive aerospace firms.
- A world leader in developing and manufacturing innovative products and services, including: major integrated systems and equipment; engineered products and subsystems; components and specialized services, and complete aircrafts.
- Employs one-third of Canada ’s highly skilled aerospace workforce of 85,000.
Online Resources
Ontario Economic Development
www.2ontario.com
Biotech Ontario
www.biotechontario.com
Greater Toronto Marketing Alliance (GTMA)
www.greater.toronto.on.ca
Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Trade
www.ontario-canada.com
Government of Ontario
www.gov.on.ca
Contacts
In Canada , contact:
International Trade Canada
E-mail: investincanada@international.gc.ca
Internet : www.investincanada.gc.ca
For investment information on Ontario contact :
Ontario Investment Service
Tel 1-800-819-8701 ( North America )
Tel 00-800-46-68-27-46 ( U.K. and Europe )
Tel 416-360-4647 / Fax 416-360-1817
Internet: www.2ontario.com