Shaping a stronger southern Ontario
As the global economic landscape evolves, strong regional economies are essential for Canada’s success and sustainability. FedDev Ontario is helping Canadians living and working in southern Ontario take advantage of opportunities created by the innovation economy, in communities big and small.
As Canada’s most populous region, southern Ontario is a key contributor to our nation’s economy. It is home to a globally-recognized innovation network:
Over 35 post-secondary institutions
Over 100 business incubators and accelerators
Over 35 percent of all Canadian firms
Southern Ontario is home to a diverse range of communities:
About 75 percent of the population living in metropolitan areas
About 25 percent of the population living in small and rural areas
Ontario has many other competitive advantages:
Nearly 40 percent of Canada’s GDP and domestic exports
Almost half of all private sector research and development
Third largest destination for foreign direct investment in North America
For a more detailed regional snapshot, please see Our role page.
Driving innovation and growth
To continue driving innovation and growth in the region, FedDev Ontario has been provided over $1 billion in new funding. This includes support for projects from across southern Ontario with the greatest potential to create highly-skilled jobs, increase the number of high-potential firms in the region, commercialize innovative technologies and build stronger, more diversified economies.
Recognizing the vital role smaller and rural communities play in the region’s economy, as well as their unique needs and opportunities, FedDev Ontario is dedicating $100 million of this new funding over the next three years, to drive innovation and growth in rural southern Ontario.
Unlocking the region’s rural economic potential
Every community, large and small, contributes to our region’s success. FedDev Ontario recognizes the vital role that southern Ontario’s smaller and rural communities play in the overall well-being of the region’s economy, however many rural communities are faced with unique challenges that can create barriers to growth, when compared with urban counterparts. These include:
- Reliance on single or more traditional resource and manufacturing industries;
- Retaining talent stemming from an aging population and youth outmigration;
- Attracting foreign direct investment;
- Access to digital to technology and infrastructure.
FedDev Ontario has made significant investments in rural communities including support for businesses across many industries such as manufacturing, agri-food and aerospace.
Noblegen is raising the bar in food innovation
FedDev Ontario's support has allowed Noblegen to achieve our target milestones. Having the opportunity to access a pool of highly qualified individuals has been very important for our success.Andressa Lacerda, Chief Development Officer and Co-Founder of Noblegen Inc.
ArcelorMittal Tailored Blanks creates innovative clean-tech solutions
FedDev Ontario enabled us to develop new technology, including a state-of-the-art testing lab for our hot stamping components.Gary Black, Director of Manufacturing Technology at ArcelorMittal Tailored Blanks
FedDev Ontario helps Chatham manufacturer improve productivity and diversify exports
This investment by FedDev Ontario allows Dajcor Aluminum to accelerate its growth plans to capture present and future business and provide increased employment opportunities in Chatham–Kent.Mike Kilby, President, Dajcor Aluminum Ltd.
The Agency also works with economic development organizations that understand the unique challenges in these communities. For example, through the region’s Community Futures Development Corporations, FedDev Ontario supports rural entrepreneurs and businesses to implement strategies for dealing with a changing economic environment.
Going forward, the Agency will continue to support southern Ontario’s smaller and rural communities by finding new and innovative opportunities to drive growth, and support the attraction and retention of businesses and talent.
FedDev Ontario is seeking rural projects that will:
- Promote business scale-up and diversification;
- Lead to increased business, talent and investment attraction;
- Foster innovation, technology adoption and digital connectivity;
- Leverage local assets;
- Connect smaller communities to the globally competitive economies.
To apply for this dedicated support and learn more about Agency funding available, visit our Funding opportunities page.
Help us shape a stronger southern Ontario
Whether you are a corporate executive, a thought leader, a young entrepreneur with a great idea, an advocate for your community, or have an interest in ensuring southern Ontario is a place where businesses can grow and thrive, your feedback can help shape the future of our economy.
From March 11 to April 30, 2019, we asked Canadians to tell us how we can work together to ensure a prosperous future for southern Ontario. To maximize the impact of new investments and best support the needs of the region, we held roundtable meetings with business, industry, academia, Indigenous representatives and organizations in urban and rural communities across southern Ontario.
We asked Canadians
- What are southern Ontario’s key strengths and challenges? How can we use our strengths and overcome challenges to grow the economy?
- How can governments and industry work together to further strengthen the region?
- How can we continue to encourage the participation of women, Indigenous, new Canadians, youth and other underrepresented groups in the southern Ontario economy?
- Are there specific opportunities to leverage existing community assets to support growth, and innovation in southern Ontario’s rural areas?
- How can FedDev Ontario help smaller communities and rural areas link to the region’s innovation and knowledge economies to drive growth?
What we heard
We received valuable feedback from industry, individuals, communities and organizations across southern Ontario. In the coming months, we will share a report online to communicate what we heard. This report will form our discussions with other federal departments and agencies, Indigenous communities, provincial government organizations and regional stakeholders on FedDev Ontario’s programming and services going forward.
Check back regularly for updates and follow the conversation on Twitter by using the hashtag: #GrowSouthON.
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