Successful Environment
Provincial Progress
Ontario has a diverse and growing economy that contributed 40.6%, over $400 billion, of Canada's GDP in 2003. Ontario is a national leader in manufacturing with over 50% of the nation's manufacturers located within it.
The rate of growth in the province for the past few years has been a respectable 1.6%, however, it is projected to grow to a rate of 2.6% in 2004, and 3.3% in 2005.
Total real investment, in Ontario, reached $55.8 billion dollars in 2003; an increase of 19.5% from 2002. Total foreign direct investment reached $357.5 billion dollars in 2003.
Ontario's workforce is equally impressive; with 56% of Ontario's 6.8 million workers having a post-secondary education. The province has attained this high educational standard because of its 20 universities and 24 colleges of arts and applied technology.
The province of Ontario, like the country it is located in, has a commitment to research and development. This commitment is demonstrated through the many provincial and federal government incentive programs intended to promote and fund research and development as well as funding the promotion of newly developed technologies in order to ensure their commercial viability.
These figures assert Ontario as a reliable and stable place to do business and invest money.
Source: Financial stats courtesy of Province of Ontario, www.2ontario.com and Ontario Ministry of Finance
