Better educated than any OECD country. 68% of Ontario adults possess a post-secondary education – a rate higher than any OECD country.
*Statistics Canada, 2016; OECD, 2016
Our universities and colleges provide a stream of high quality talent. The University of Toronto ranks among the top 20 global universities and University of Waterloo graduates are the second most frequently hired by Silicon Valley companies.
Universities in the global ranking
University of Waterloo graduates are 2nd most frequently hired by silicon valley companies according to the Wall Street Journal
6 top 300 global universities according to us news and world report
University of Toronto Top 20 global university according to US News and World Report
Top 25 global Computer Science programs #15 University of Waterloo #25 University of Toronto according to US News and World Report
We produce over 40,000 STEM graduates annually and are committed to raising that number to over 50,000.
Stem grads per year top 5 in North America
Applied master's AI grads per year by 2023
Our welcoming approach to immigration expands our talent pool further while producing different perspectives that enrich the culture of innovation.
Here, the federal and provincial governments work together to implement immigration programs that help companies recruit and retain highly skilled international talent at the speed of business.
10
Business Days
I think that the Canadian government made a smart move to offer the new fast track visa program (Global Skills Strategy) Tech companies' hiring timelines work in six week – not six month intervals –because things move fast. We need to hire quickly in order to help meet our ambitious goals for growth, so speed is of the essence.
Kathryn Hume VP of Product and Strategy integrate.ai
In Ontario, you’ll save on some of your biggest business costs, money you can use for further investments, innovation and growth.
The convergence of IT with traditional sectors, has drawn attention to Ontario’s talent advantage. Comparable high quality talent found in top U.S. IT hubs such as Boston or New York is available here at a fraction of the cost, up to 45% less.
High quality talent at low cost
* CBRE Scoring Tech Talent, 2017, Software Engineers. Figures in U.S. dollars.
Combined national/sub-national rates
Source: OECD, 2018/Tax Foundation, 2018
Source: KPMG Competitive Alternatives, 2016
Employer health costs per year for a typical firm in Ontario are one-third the cost of the U.S. average thanks to the province’s universal healthcare system.
*MMK Consulting, 2016
Ontario cities compare favourably with their North American peers — less money buys more living space, according to the Median Multiple index.
*Demographia International Housing Affordability Survey, 2018
Electricity costs in Ontario are competitive with our U.S. peers, and from here companies can be a part of the global shift to a low-carbon economy. Ontario’s clean electricity system helps establish the province as a North American leader in the fight against climate change. Ontario-based firms can reduce energy costs further by taking advantage of one of North America’s largest natural gas trading hubs.
Located in Southwestern Ontario, the Dawn Hub gives Ontario businesses direct access to North America’s major natural gas supplies. Currently, more than 100 companies actively trade at Dawn, offering the ability to stabilize the cost of natural gas throughout the year, in spite of any fluctuations.
A stable and competitive business environment
Companies that choose Ontario can have confidence in the province’s long term political and economic stability. Ontario is at the centre of one of the most stable and competitive business environments in the world. Canada has the world’s most stable banking system, is ranked the second most politically stable and is rated among the top three best countries for business. No wonder Canada has also been named one the best countries in the world to headquarter a business.
Canada ranked
2nd best place in the world to start a business Source: The World Bank, 2017.
3rd in the 2018 Global Entrepreneurship Index Source: Global Entrepreneurship and Development Institute.
#2 for best place to locate a global HQ Source: US News and World Report, 2018.
Free trade deals with 46 countries 1.6b customers Source: Ontario Ministry of International Trade.
Tolerant. Inclusive. Connected
Ontario is what the future should look like. A livable space with the comforts and quality of life to attract talented people, especially the next generation of digital natives, looking for a home. We’re aware that digital technologies and machine learning are changing the way we live. We know they raise hard questions about the future of work, privacy and income equality.
Ontario cities consistently rank among the best places to live and work in the world*
*Mercer - Quality of Living, 2017
But we’re not afraid to try new approaches. We know that governments and firms have to invest in training programs that help employees get the skills they need for an information economy (and why our search for policy answers includes an experiment with a guaranteed annual income). And our publicly funded higher education system gives us the latitude for collaboration between government, business and academia to re-tailor curriculums and priorities to meet changing economic needs.
Above all, people want places that work. Where we 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. A festival of entertainment and inspiration.
A place we can breathe.
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