Ontario Innovation Takes Centre Stage During Trade Mission to the United States

Delegations demonstrate Ontario’s strength in strategic sectors at Biotech Showcase and Consumer Electronics Show

January 11, 2024

Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade

TORONTO — The Ontario government has concluded another successful trade mission to the United States to promote the province’s growing automotive, technology and life sciences sectors and attract new investment opportunities. Two delegations of 35 Ontario companies, led by Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, represented the province at two of the world’s largest technology and innovation conferences — the Biotech Showcase and Consumer Electronics Show.

“As one of the largest IT clusters in North America, innovation thrives in Ontario,” said Minister Fedeli. “We are showing the world the strength of our province’s advancements. Together, we’re working to build a stronger economy by forging new partnerships between Ontario innovators and global industry leaders, creating new opportunities for businesses in this province.”

The business mission kicked off with 19 Ontario companies participating in the Biotech Showcase on January 8 in San Francisco. The Biotech Showcase is a premier investor conference offering companies opportunities to showcase their health care innovations. The delegation, which included companies in biotech research and development, pharmaceutical technology and medical technology, promoted the province’s growing life and health sciences sectors to industry leaders and innovators from around the world.

Building on the success at Biotech Showcase, an additional 16 Ontario companies participated at the Consumer Electronic Show (CES) from January 9 to 12 in Las Vegas. CES is one of the largest and most influential tech events in the world.

At CES, Minister Fedeli announced the launch of Going Global, a new strategic partnership between the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN) and Air Canada, that will provide flight discounts to Ontario businesses participating in Ontario-led trade missions. Lower travel costs will entice more companies to join these vital trips, providing new opportunities for Ontario companies to broaden their consumer reach, showcase their innovative offerings in international markets, and foster new and strategic partnerships within the international innovation sector.

Ontario will continue to promote strategic industries in key markets to help attract investments that will accelerate economic growth and job creation. With a talented workforce, state-of-the-art research and development facilities, award-winning manufacturing and competitive business environment, the province is a prime location for businesses to invest and grow.

Quick Facts

13 international Trade and Investment Offices around the world work to raise the commercial profile of Ontario with in-market representatives facilitating investment deals and support for the province’s small and medium-sized enterprises to expand their export capacity in global markets.
Ontario is home to the largest life sciences jurisdiction in Canada, generating 59 per cent of the overall Canadian revenue and employing 52 per cent of all of Canada’s life science’s personnel across approximately 1,900 firms.
Ontario has the second largest number of information and communications technology (ICT) establishments in North America and is home to more than 408,000 ICT workers.
Every year, more than 65,000 STEM students graduate from post-secondary programs across the province, producing one of the most highly skilled workforces in the world.
Over the past three years, Ontario has attracted $27 billion in investments by global automakers.
Ontario is also the only jurisdiction in North America to have five major global automotive assemblers: Stellantis, Ford, General Motors, Honda and Toyota.

Quotes

“Air Canada has long been a champion of innovation, and we take great pride in supporting Ontario’s economy through facilitating convenient connections to move people and goods across the country and around the world. We are pleased to be the Official Airline Partner of the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network and the Ontario Centre of Innovation in support of trade missions in conjunction with the Government of Ontario. This partnership will make available discounted travel to small and medium-sized business delegates in Ontario, so they can participate in such missions both in the province and internationally.”

– Lisa Pierce
Vice President of Global Sales, Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations

“Going Global represents an exciting new frontier for the countless innovators we support across the province. By connecting Ontario companies to global customers, we are fostering success and cultivating a culture of growth through innovation. Going Global is a lighthouse that signals our commitment to constantly unlock opportunities for small to medium-sized enterprises and support their growth into global markets.”

– Raed Kadri
Vice President, Strategic Initiatives, and Head of the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network

Additional Resources

Ontario’s Life Sciences Sector

Ontario’s Auto Industry

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Ontario Innovation Takes Centre Stage During Trade Mission to the United States

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Quick Facts

Quotes

Additional Resources

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