Location Canada
Location Canada provides an introduction to direct investment into Canada for the global-minded company with practical advice and guidance about facilities deployment, labor force skills, taxes and incentives, and more. CANADA: A Great Place to Do Business
Doing Business in Canada: A Guide for U.S. and International Investors
Patenting in the Great White North: Canadian Patent Law for U.S. Businesses
Canada’s Olympic Games to Deliver Sustainability
Canada’s economic strength lies in the diversity and vitality of its natural-resource industries that supply the world with ore, oil and gas, lumber, and other commodities. Its rapidly growing high-tech clusters — information and communications technology (ICT), biotechnology, nanotechnology, advanced manufacturing, electronics, aeronautics, pharmaceuticals, agri-food, and photonics — have earned a global reputation for groundbreaking research and discovery. Combining this knowledge base with thoroughly modern transportation/delivery and telecommunication infrastructures, and easy access to global supply networks, makes Canada’s business climate second to none.
Competitive Business Costs
According to the Economic Intelligence Unit’s global business rankings for 2009–2013, Canada ranks first in the G7 as “the best place to invest and do business.” Key trading partners are the United States, Europe, and Asia. The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) gives Canadian businesses easy access to the best consumer market in the world — more than 443 million consumers with a combined GDP exceeding US$15.4 trillion. Canada and the U.S. have the world’s largest trade relationship, with two-way trade valued at $712 billion in 2007. (Unless otherwise specified, all dollar amounts are in Canadian dollars.) This averages about $1.3 million dollars in trade crossing the border every minute. Because of its location, competitive business costs, and affordable, multilingual, and talented work force, Canada placed second in the G7 and sixth among 62 countries surveyed in the 2006 A.T. Kearney Globalization Index as an outsourcing destination. Canada also placed second for technological connectivity, one of the main components of the index.
A key attraction for many companies is Canada’s low cost of doing business. The country provides the lowest payroll taxes in the G7 and by 2010 Canadian-based companies will enjoy an average corporate tax rate advantage of more than 4.5 percent over U.S.-based firms. The federal corporate income tax rate of 19.5 percent for 2008 will drop to 19 percent in 2009, 18 percent in 2010, 16.5 percent in 2011, and 15 percent in 2012. An array of generous tax credits and other incentives for capital investment, research and development, and work force training makes manufacturing and scientific R&D more affordable than ever before. For example, the Scientific Research and Development Program provided more than $3.8 billion in tax incentives to the private sector, which in turn invested more than $15 billion in research and development last year.
- KPMG Canada’s Competitive Alternatives 2008 Special Report: Focus on Tax (part of the 2008 Competitive Alternatives — KPMG’s Guide to International Business Location report) analyzed corporate taxes paid in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Results showed that:
- • Canada is the third-least expensive country for corporate taxes;
- • Out of the 35 large cities, Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal are in the top seven for low tax costs;
- • Canada spends more money on education, as a percentage of GDP, than nearly every other country in the world (second only to the United States in the G7); Canada is also ranked first by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) for higher education achievement — more than half of its citizens between the ages of 25 and 35 have a post-secondary education; and according to global M.B.A. rankings compiled by Financial Times, six Canadian schools of management were ranked among the top 100 in the world for 2008.
Fiscal Responsibility
The 2008 Canadian budget plan projects the country’s 11th straight surplus budget. Canada’s strong fiscal performance has helped to considerably reduce its debt over the last ten years. The OECD projects that Canada’s net debt-to-GDP ratio will decline to 19.5 percent in 2009, less than half of the projected average of 51.9 percent for all G7 countries.
This strong financial position gives Canada the ability to liberally invest in its future on a number of fronts — tax relief, healthcare, education, science and technology, and infrastructure. For years, Canada has been spending heavily every year to modernize its infrastructure, with more than $33 billion already committed, the single largest Canadian investment in public infrastructure in since World War II. This includes more than $1 billion for the Asia–Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative that will develop a state-of-the-art transportation and communication infrastructure for facilitating global supply chains between Canada and Asia — which means faster and more efficient speed to market.
Partnerships Flourish
The Canadian government supports scientific R&D by funding its own research, as well as partnerships among universities, federal and provincial agencies, and the private sector. Programs that target the knowledge infrastructure include Technology Partnerships Canada, Canadian Network for the Advancement of Research, Industry and Education (CANARIE), and cooperative sectoral research programs that focus on the needs of specific industries, such as Pulp and Paper Research Institute of Canada.
As a result of this commitment, Canada leads the G7 in public sector R&D investment as a share of GDP (the public sector currently finances 85 percent of primary research in Canada). Much of this research is conducted at universities — the Government of Canada will spend over $2.7 billion in 2008–2009 to support R&D conducted in post-secondary institutions. In addition, since its creation in 1997, the Canada Foundation for Innovation has invested $3.8 billion in more than 5,000 research projects in 128 Canadian universities and colleges, research hospitals, and research institutions across the country.
Key trade associations also work closely with federal and provincial governments to improve the competitiveness of their industries. For example, the Government of Ontario and the Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) recently launched a joint initiative help small and medium-sized companies cope with the economic downturn by becoming more productive and competitive. With $25 million in funding from the province, CME will work with manufacturers to improve their global competitiveness and find new markets through programs that emphasize innovation and best practices.
Quality of Llife
Canada is a land of immense natural beauty with some of the most stunning landscapes in the world. Canadians enjoy universal healthcare, an outstanding education system, reasonable living costs, good wages and benefits, and safe, clean cities — some of which are the among the most cosmopolitan in the world. Canada is also culturally diverse, with over 200 languages identified as mother tongues.
The World Competitiveness Yearbook 2008 ranked Canada as the number-one place to live in the G7 for overall quality of life, as did the United Nations Human Development Report. Another quality-of-life survey of 215 world cities conducted by Mercer Human Resources Consulting Group placed five Canadian cities among the top 25. So it is unanimous — Canada is a great place to live.
Into the Future
The Canadian government is working hard to minimize the effects of the economic downturn on its hard-hit sectors, including the manufacturing and financial industries. It has already invested $21 billion in tax relief for businesses across the country to help them increase productivity and maintain or create new jobs.
STUDIES/RESEARCH/PAPERS
What North America Must Do To Drive A More Sustainable Energy Economy 4/20/2010 
Competitive Alternatives: KPMG's Guide to International Business Location 2010 Edition 4/1/2010
Wind Energy Outlook for North America 10/05/2009
OCO INSIGHT: A New Investment Paradigm 7/21/2009
Global Investment Promotion Benchmarking 2009 5/14/2009
The United States and Canada: Toward a Better Border 5/01/2009
Foreign Direct Investment, Productivity, and Country Growth: An Overview
4/30/2009
American Wind Energy Association Annual Wind Industry Report (2008)
4/29/2009
2009 Global Shared Services Survey
3/26/2009
Future-Proof Plans 3/20/2009
Manitoba
CentrePort Canada is North America’s new 20,000-acre inland port that has been designated Canada’s first foreign-trade zone (FTZ). Located in Manitoba next to Winnipeg’s James Armstrong Richardson International Airport, CentrePort Canada offers greenfield investment opportunities for a wide variety of business operations including distribution, warehousing, and manufacturing.
Alberto Velasco
2000 Wellington Avenue
Suite 128
Winnipeg, MB R3H 1C2
204-784-1300
Fax: 204-784-1308
Manitoba
Manitoba has an exceptional business climate; extremely competitive business costs; a highly skilled, knowledge-based, multilingual work force; a business-friendly government; robust, modern infrastructure; and an unsurpassed quality of life. Strategically located in the heart of North America, Manitoba is a competitive location for doing business, with flexible and cost-effective intermodal transportation services providing worldwide shipping by rail, air, road, and sea. A Manitoba business location can give your company the competitive advantage it needs.
Donald Callis, Marketing Manager
Industry Economic Development & Mines
10th Floor - 259 Portage Ave
Winnipeg, MB R3B 2A9
866-570-7577
Fax: 204-945-3977
New Brunswick
Be in a place where business costs are slashed by as much as 30 percent and you save as much as 40 percent on payroll and mandated benefits. Where a faithful work force averages over eight years with the same employer. Where telecommunications is world-renowned and energy is fail-safe. Business is booming, the economy is growing, and our affordable lifestyle lets you live the dream. Be more profitable. Be in New Brunswick.
Lori Armstrong
P.O. Box 6000
670 King Street, 5th floor
Fredericton, NB E3B 5H1
506-444-4897
Fax: 506-444-4277
Newfoundland & Labrador
It’s happening here. Newfoundland and Labrador is bursting with big ideas, ongoing innovation, and an undeniable spirit. Our natural environment and culture have made our people more creative, resourceful, and inventive. Here you’ll find a place of uncommon potential and vast opportunity. Visit our website to learn more about investing in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Chris Hewlin
6th Floor, East Block
Confederation Building
P.O. Box 8700
St. John's, NL Canada A1B 4J6
709-729-3092
Fax: 709-729-3306
Ontario
You want resources: everything from available land and a rich labor pool to cutting-edge infrastructure and government incentives. You want connectivity. Accessing markets worldwide is essential to staying competitive. You want it all, and why not? Where can you get everything you need to grow your business? Here. Brampton.
Don Eastwood, Director, Economic Development
33 Queen Street, West
1st Floor
Brampton, ONT L6Y 1L9
905-874-2650
Fax: 905-874-3849
Ontario
Chatham-Kent is a community of 108,000 located in the heart of southwestern Ontario just minutes from the Windsor/Detroit border at the crossroads of road, rail, and air transportation. Its rich agricultural sector is now being enhanced by opportunities for renewable energy products, including cellulosic ethanol. Added to this are strong education resources and an exceptional quality of life.
Kathy Weiss
Civic Centre
315 King Street West
P.O. Box 640
Chatham, Ontario N7M 5K8
519-354-7431
Fax: 519-351-7852
Ontario
Gravenhurst – Cottage County logistics hub!
• Close to Toronto, North Bay and Ottawa;
• Local airport, two runways can handle 737, DC 9 or Airbus 319;
• Four lane inter-provincial highway;
• Immediate rail access to all point in North America;
• Sorry, no water transportation – our water is for recreation.
Peter Rigby
190 Harvie Street
Gravenhurst P1P 1S9
705-687-3412
Fax: 705-687- 7016
Ontario
Manitouwadge is located north of Lake Superior, in the center of Ontario, with access to a variety of transportation options, exceptional cellular and high-speed Internet connectivity, and a quality of life that is second to none. Combine our great location with affordable real estate, outstanding infrastructure, first-class healthcare facilities, excellent educational institutions, and you have the perfect place to call your home.
Dave Raymond
1 Mississauga Drive
Manitouwadge, Ontario POT 2CO
807-826-3227 ext. 234
Fax: 807-826-4592
Ontario
Markham, in the heart of the Greater Toronto area, is one of the fastest-growing Ontario municipalities with over 300,000 people. More than 400 corporate offices and 800 high-technology and life science companies are located in Markham. High-quality facilities, a highly educated and diverse work force, and a pro-business environment are attributes that attract world-renowned corporations to Markham (including BM Canada, AMD, American Express, and Motorola).
Suzanne McCrimmon
101 Town Centre Boulevard
Markham, Ontario L3R 9W3
905-475-4871
Fax: 905-475-4888
Ontario
Mississauga is Canada’s sixth-largest city, with a diverse, knowledge-based economy, including leading clusters in information communication and technologies, life sciences, financial services, and advanced manufacturing. The city is home to Canada’s largest international airport and within a day’s drive of North America’s richest markets. With more than 59,000 businesses, Mississauga offers companies a cost-competitive base in the heart of a major road, rail, and international air network.
Susan Amring
300 City Centre Drive
Mississauga, ONT L5B 3C1
905-896-5016
Fax: 905-896-5931
Ontario
The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs is the provincial government’s lead on developing Ontario’s food processing industry. Ministry staff focus on international companies that are interested in understanding how an Ontario location can maximize their success. Their goal is to make a move to Ontario as simple as possible.
George Borovilos
1 Stone Road West
Guelph, ON N1G 4Y2
800-819-8701
Fax: 519-826-4333
Ontario
Ontario combines the best educated work force in the G7, ideal access to market, international and domestic suppliers, state-of-the-art telecommunications and infrastructure, and an excellent quality of life.
Maureen Hall, Account Representative
Marketing Branch
900 Bay Street
5th Floor, Hurst Block
Toronto, ONT M7A 2E1
416-325-6689
Fax: 416-325-6375
Ontario
The County of Simcoe has a diverse economic base, strong secondary institutions, and benefits from our proximity to Canada’s major domestic and international markets. Visit us to see how County of Simcoe has everything you need for your business and life to grow and prosper. Visit our website “for the Greater Opportunity.”
Robert Lamb
Admin. Center
1110 Hwy. 26
Midhurst, ONT L0L 1X0
866-893-9300 ext. 1045
Fax: 705-726-3911
Ontario
Woodstock, Ontario, is centrally located in the heart of southern Ontario. Situated at the crossroads of super-highways 401 and 403, we enjoy the best ground transportation system in the province. With our relaxed and affordable lifestyle, you will see why in Woodstock, the balance is in your favor!
Bradley Hammond
P.O. Box 40
500 Dundas Street
Woodstock, ONT, N4S 7W5
519-539-2382 ext. 2115
Fax: 519-539-3275
Québec
Greater Montréal is one of the world’s three aerospace capitals, along with Seattle and Toulouse. It is among the rare places in the world where all the main components of an aircraft are manufactured within a 20-mile (30-kilometer) radius. Nearly two-thirds of Canadian production is centered here. Montréal’s aerospace industry boasts prime contractors and equipment manufacturers, among the world’s top subcontractors and suppliers, as well as a qualified and competitive labor force and unique training centers. Join them and take advantage of North America’s best aerospace environments!
Stephanie Lepage, Marketing Manager
1100 Rene-Levesque West
Suite 2100
Montreal, Québec H3B 4X8
514-394-7290
Fax: 514-394-7155
Saskatchewan
Enterprise Saskatchewan is a bold and innovative approach to creating sustainable economic growth in Saskatchewan. It is a special agency for coordinating the province’s growth agenda, led by key economic development and community stakeholders with one ultimate goal: to ensure Saskatchewan has a competitive environment that will attract investment at every level.
Ms. Jacki Litke, Communications Officer
4th Floor
2103 Eleventh Avenue
Regina, SK S4P 3V7
306-787-2234
Fax: 306-787-8447
Saskatchewan
Situated an hour northwest of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, the city of North Battleford is a modern urban center with tremendous growth potential for business. Affordable real estate and well-developed commercial and industrial districts position North Battleford to become one of the most important communities on the Prairies.
Denis Lavertu, Director, Business Development
1291 - 101st Street
PO Box 460
North Battleford, SK S9A 2Y6
306-445-1718
Fax: 306-445-0411
