City of Waterloo

The City of Waterloo is a leading edge community that is committed to the future. Waterloo is strategically located in Canada's Technology Triangle and enjoys growing recognition for high standards of education, keen entrepreneurship, and technological innovation. Along with extensive research and development facilities, a strong service sector, technology centres, centres of excellence, and a positive lifestyle, Waterloo offers a competitive edge for investment and growth-oriented companies. Situated within an hour's drive of the Toronto International Airport, Waterloo's citizens and businesses are linked by major transportation routes to a marketplace of more than 120 million people, and by high-speed telecommunications to the world. Waterloo has the best of both worlds. Surrounded by green farmland and fresh air, the city is a modern, vigorous business and technology community – small enough to enjoy the best lifestyle yet close to all amenities of the larger metropolitan areas. Read Current News from Waterloo

Quick Facts

Population (2006)	97,475
Unemployment Rate (2001)	5.1%
Building Permit Fees (2007)	Industrial (finished) $0.55/sq.ft Commercial (finished) $1.35/sq.ft
Property Tax Rates (2006)	Industrial 5.32% Commercial/Office 4.61%
Development Charges (2007)	City $3.43/sq.ft Region $4.37/sq.ft Total $7.80/sq.ft

Doing Business in Waterloo

Waterloo ranks high in most aspects of business including: manufacturing diversification, workforce capability, employment levels, high education, average hours worked, wage and salary rates, cost of living, responsive City government, low level of union activity and value added by manufacturing.

Companies locating in Waterloo find a highly skilled and well-trained labour force. The City of Waterloo has a strong financial service and insurance sector, a significant high technology sector and diversified manufacturing base, with total businesses numbering over 2200.

Living in Waterloo

The City of Waterloo is a vibrant, dynamic community, solidly rooted to the past, entrepreneurial and leading-edge today, and strongly committed to the future. As home to two world-class universities and one of Canada's finest community colleges, Waterloo is very proud of its students and graduates, who bring energy, enthusiasm and spirit to the community.

UpTown Waterloo, home to more than 390 thriving businesses with eclectic shopping, vibrant lifestyle amenities and critically acclaimed dining, offers exceptional original experiences, such as a visit to the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics, and the cultural collections at the Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery. To learn more about art and culture in Waterloo, click here.

Waterloo, in addition to 1,100 acres of parks and trails, offers internationally recognized recreational, arts and cultural facilities -- a unique opportunity for those who enjoy a smaller but very active community. The City of Waterloo also takes great pride in the many festivals and events hosted and sponsored in the community year round including the UpTown Waterloo Jazz Festival, the Waterloo Buskers Carnival, Kitchener Waterloo Oktoberfest, Wonders of Winter, and much more. To learn more about the events and festivals in Waterloo, click here.