Waterloo Region Business Advantages

Strategic Positioning One hour west of Toronto A labour force and consumer market of 2.7 million people within a 45 minute drive Ready access to Canada’s most important road transportation corridor (Highway 401), and three major Canada-US border crossings: Niagara; Windsor/Detroit; and Sarnia/Port Huron Access to national railroads Airport access to the Region of Waterloo International Airport, and Toronto’s Pearson International Airport

Lowest business costs in the G7 KPMG’s “The CEO’s Guide to International Business Costs,” G7 – 2004 edition analysis shows that Canada has the lowest overall business costs in the G7, with an average 21% advantage across the R&D activities analyzed compared to costs in the U.S.

A Recognized Advanced Technology Cluster

The Waterloo Region is a globally recognized advanced technology cluster while also having the highest concentration of manufacturing activity among Canada’s metropolitan areas. Additionally, the Region is home to one of Canada's largest insurance industry clusters. The business base is diverse, ranging from large multinational to countless small start-up companies on the leading edge of innovation. Leading economic sectors are automotive, high tech, advanced manufacturing, and business services.

World Class Education Institutes/Research Centres

There is exceptional access to acclaimed post-secondary education institutions. The University of Waterloo, Wilfrid Laurier University, Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning and nearby University of Guelph host 50,000 post-secondary students annually, including 10,000 graduate and 15,000 co-operative education students. Wilfrid Laurier University has one of the largest business schools in Canada and is also renowned for its science and music faculties. The University of Waterloo is home to the largest co-operative education program in the world and has consistently ranked first in its role as the nation’s most innovative university.

Exceptional access to private and public research is a hallmark of the Waterloo Region. There are 150 Research Centres in the Waterloo Region. Canada and Ontario offer generous research and development tax incentives.

A Productive and Prosperous Community

The Waterloo Region is one of Canada’s fastest growing communities, expected to reach 729,000 people by 2031. The growth rate of the Region is nearly twice the Canadian average. The median population age is one of the lowest in Canada. In 2006, CTT's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was worth $21.5 billion, larger than several Canadian provinces. CTT’s workforce grew 14.3% between 2001 and 2006.

Competitive Advantage for Business Costs

Ranked a Top 5 small "North American Cities of the Future," by fDi (the Foreign Direct Investment Magazine of the Financial Times Group of London), the Waterloo Region has been ranked as the fourth best place to do business in Canada in a top-40 list compiled by Canadian Business Magazine.

Highly Skilled Workforce

The Waterloo Region is built on a foundation of entrepreneurship and innovation. The success of the Region has created a deep pool of talent that ensures continual inflow of educated and ambitious people. The labour resource is 272,000 people within the Waterloo Region, and 2.7 million people within a 45 minute drive.

Small Town Lifestyle Meets Big City Atmosphere

The Waterloo Region offers its residents the best of both worlds - the relaxed pace of a smaller community or the hustle and bustle of a large multicultural centre. Whether it’s skiing or fly-fishing on the Grand, a designated heritage river, or hiking along hundreds of kilometres of trails through more than 3,000 acres of parkland, there are myriad local recreational opportunities. Only an hour away lies Toronto and a wealth of cultural and recreational opportunity - from sports teams (Toronto Raptors, Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Blue Jays) to the symphony.

Canadian Investment Environment

Canada’s excellent economic fundamentals and political stability provide a first-rate, low-risk business environment. Canada has a strong fiscal position. Prior to the 2008 global downturn, Canada experienced the 2nd longest period of economic expansion in Canadian history, and reduced national debt at a record rate. Canada's economic performance is expected to lead the G-7 nations in 2009.