Related Information:
Toronto Region Presentation
Accelerate Innovation Brochure
Toronto Region At a Glance Fact Sheet
Global Status Fact Sheet
Top Talent Fact Sheet
Outstanding R&D Fact Sheet
Competitive Costs Fact Sheet
Advanced Economy Fact Sheet
Lifestyle Options Fact Sheet
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Toronto Region: A global centre of research and innovation
Locate your research-active business in the Toronto Region - a dynamic hub of research-intensive industry sectors and globally-recognized research organizations. The region's unique collaborative environment brings together research and industry to develop breakthrough technologies that have global impact.
The Toronto Region is the 4th largest urban region in North America - 7.4 million people live in the area which embraces Durham, Guelph, Halton, Hamilton, Peel, Toronto, Waterloo, Wellington and York regions.
With a GDP of $337 billion, the Toronto Region is Canada's economic engine (20 per cent of its GDP) and is home to over 35 per cent of the nation's R&D.
The region is recognized an outstanding location to do business:
- Ranked # 1 for the soundness of its banking system by World Economic Forum (Global Competitiveness Report 2008-2009)
- Ranked #4 globally for Ease of Doing Business by MasterCard Worldwide Center of Commerce Index (2008)
- Ranked #4 for Best Economic Potential by Foreign Direct Investment Magazine (2009)
- Ranked #7 among Major Cities of the Future by Foreign Direct Investment Magazine (2009)
- Ranked #10 in Forbes World's Most Economically Powerful Cities in 2008
The region's diversified economy has strengths in Advanced Manufacturing/Materials, Bio Life Sciences, Energy & Environment, and IT/Communications, and is home to several world-ranked clusters of research and technology.
Other advantages to locating in the Toronto Region
- Strategically located within a 1-day drive or 60 minute flight to most major cities in the US Northeast and Midwest, and is part of a well-developed air, rail and highway transportation infrastructure that easily moves people and goods across the border
- Immigration responsive to company needs:
- Uncapped number of work permits available to foreign workers
- Process for intra-company transfers is fast and straightforward
- Special programs allow employers to permanently recruit high-end research staff and other workers within defined occupations
- Strong government support through programs such as Ontario's $1.15 billion Next Generation Of Jobs Fund (clean automotive and other green technology) and $500 million Advanced Manufacturing Investment Strategy (AMIS)
- 1.8 million workers (25-64 years of age) with a university degree or college certificate -- the most educated population in the G8 in terms of per cent of workforce (64%)
What's New
University of Toronto #13 most-cited institution in global science papers ranking More
Premier's Innovation Awards honour 13 scientific achievements and award $12.95M to science and business winners More
Canada Research Chairs: 38 scientists at 6 Toronto Region universities named new or renewed Canada Research Chairs and receive $34.3 million in funding More
