Ontario is what the future should look like. A livable space with the comforts and quality of life to attract talented people. Ontario cities consistently rank among the best places to live and work, it has one of the best public education systems in the world, and publicly-funded healthcare is available to all.
Ontario is a place that works. Where people can get around on public transportation. Raise a family. Where no one is denied quality healthcare when they’re sick – and a hospital visit isn’t accompanied by the threat of bankruptcy.
Ontario has spectacular natural diversity, a mineral-rich north, vineyards in the south, 48 national parks, 250,000 lakes, and the world-famous Niagara Falls. Its location and size means that there is something for everyone. We have 4 of the 10 largest Canadian cities, namely, Toronto, Ottawa, Hamilton, and Kitchener-Waterloo. We also have many towns with rural charm, interspersed with modern infrastructure, booming economies, in picturesque settings. Ontario has an ideal mix of economic opportunity and quality of life. Ontario is a place you can live and breathe.
Ontario is at the centre of one of the most stable and competitive business environments in the world. The economy was built on the strength of traditional industries like natural resources, manufacturing, farming, and food production.Today, it is also the home of innovation. The Province has a vibrant collection of industries. We are global leaders in technology, artificial intelligence, fintech, and stem cell research.We also have a solid manufacturing base, a robust auto industry, and the world’s largest mining industry. Natural resource-based industries and eco-tourism thrive here. The federal and provincial governments support entrepreneurship and business success in Ontario with a host of funding programs, incubator and accelerator programs, tax benefits, and other benefits for business owners, both local and international.
Ontario is where 700+ parts suppliers and 500+ tool, die, and mould makers converge along a 400-kilometre automotive corridor, forming one of the most robust supply chains in the world. Motor vehicle manufacturing (including both assembly and parts manufacturing) generates over $14 billion annually.
Ontario has more than half of the highest quality (“Class 1”) farm land in Canada. There are 51,950 farms in Ontario (Census of Agriculture, 2011) and they make up almost one-quarter of all farm revenue in Canada.
Ontario’s agricultural production includes:
With 40% of the country’s total production, Ontario is at the centre of Canada’s chemical manufacturing industry. We’re home to nine of the top 15 global chemical firms (by sales).
Ontario is home to 3,000 Canadian cleantech and environmental technology companies, employing 65,000 people. The Toronto Stock Exchange and the TSX Venture Exchange list 110 clean technology and renewable energy companies. There are many grants and business resources for companies in the cleantech startup space.
Ontario’s financial services sector generates approximately $60 billion in GDP and employs about 359,000 people in over 12,000 financial services firms. Industry growth is creating huge opportunities for financial technology companies.
With nearly 3,000 registered food and beverage businesses and manufacturing revenue of $36.9 billion, Ontario is one of North America’s largest and most significant food and beverage processing sectors.
Ontario’s forests play a major role in the province’s economy. It contributes over $12 billion to the economy and supports approximately 150,000 direct and indirect jobs. Whether you are looking to make lumber, pulp, or value-added products, Ontario has what you need.
Ontario is home to more than 350 automation and robotics-related companies. With Ontario’s large manufacturing base and world-class R&D environment, the opportunity has never been greater for industrial automation companies to excel here.
Ontario is the 2nd largest IT region in North America. Who’s here? World leaders in big data and cloud computing, data centres, microelectronics, digital media, security encryption, mobile gaming, mobile payments, and wireless, telecom and networks.
Pharmaceuticals, medical devices, biotechnologies: If this is what you do and you’re not in Ontario, you’re missing out. The life sciences sector here is thriving.
The mining industry in Ontario is a global leader in productivity and has world leading environmental standards. Ontario is among the top 10 producers in the world for nickel and platinum group metals. The province is also a significant producer of gold, copper, zinc, cobalt and silver. Southern Ontario produces non-metallic minerals including salt, gypsum, lime, nephelinesyenite and structural materials (sand, gravel, stone). The sedimentary rocks of the south are also home to Ontario’s oil and gas industry.
Millions of tourists spend billions of dollars each year in Ontario. With the largest, most accessible market in North America, a skilled, multicultural workforce and an established domestic market, the tourism industry has discovered that Ontario is a premier four-season travel destination.
Canada has three levels of government: federal, provincial, municipal (local). Each level of government has different responsibilities.
Municipal government consists of:
• Regions • Counties • Municipalities
The Province of Ontario has an elected parliament known as the Legislature of Ontario, located in the provincial capital of Toronto. Canada’s national Parliament is in Ottawa, Ontario.
Ontario has a diverse population of more than 14 million, and is home to 40% of Canada’s population.
The largest concentration of people and cities is in the “Golden Horseshoe” along the western shore of Lake Ontario, including the Greater Toronto Area, Hamilton, St. Catharines and Niagara Falls.The “Greater Golden Horseshoe” describes the extended metropolitan area, including parts of central Ontario surrounding the core region. With more than 9 million people, this area is one of the fastest growing areas in North America. The wider region spreads inland in all directions away from the Lake Ontario shoreline, southwest to Brantford, west to the Kitchener-Waterloo area, north to Barrie and northeast to Peterborough.
Population hubs in southwestern Ontario include London, Kincardine and Windsor and Sarnia. In eastern Ontario, Ottawa and Kingston are the predominant cities. In northern Ontario, key municipalities include Greater Sudbury, Thunder Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, North Bay, Timmins, and Kenora.
Ontario’s welcoming approach to immigration expands our talent pool while producing different perspectives that enrich our culture of innovation. Multiculturalism and inclusiveness are Canada’s strength and the foundation of the Canadian way of life. Canada welcomes over 400,000 newcomers to the country every year from various religions and cultures – and almost 50% of them choose to live in Ontario. Ontario has welcomed people from more than 150 countries – a diversity expressed in the symphony of languages spoken on our streets. Over 200 languages and 170 ethnicities are represented in Ontario and almost 30% of Ontario’s population is foreign-born.
Life is good in Ontario! Healthcare and education systems are among the best in the world and free. Crime is low, people are friendly. Ontario cities are consistently ranked among the best places to live and work.
Ontario is a mosaic of culture. It has many well-known art galleries, like the Art Gallery of Ontario in Toronto, the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa, and the McMichael Canadian Art Collection in Kleinburg.
Ontario’s entertainment and creative industry is the third largest in North America by employment–ranking after California and New York. Within Canada, Ontario is the leading province for film and television production, book and magazine publishing, and sound recording.
Most Ontario cities and towns have carefully preserved historic buildings. You can see accurately rebuilt forts and pioneer villages around the province, including Upper Canada Village in Morrisburg and Fort Wellington in Prescott.
Some towns, like Niagara-on-the-Lake and Elora, make a special effort to preserve the flavour of the past. Ottawa’s distinctive parliament building and Toronto’s impressive legislative building remind us of our history.
Ontario has a robust transportation network – you can travel the province by highway, boat, plane, or rail. You can visit attractions throughout the province, from country fairs and museums to zoos, floral gardens, and theme parks.
Summer and winter, Ontario’s beautiful natural settings are host to all kinds of activities. Summer means swimming, boating, baseball, hiking, camping, fishing, and tennis. Popular winter activities in Ontario include skating, skiing, tobogganing, curling, ice fishing, and hockey.
EN 
FR