Home to five auto assemblers, 700 parts suppliers, and more than 500 tool, die, and mould makers, Ontario is regarded as a source of high-quality automotive manufacturing. Over the last five years, Ontario assembly plants produced nearly 16 per cent of North American-made vehicles; more than any other North American state or provincial jurisdiction. The…
Canada is known for many things, one of which is the quality of our education. Canada’s post-secondary institutions continue to prove themselves as global contenders. In fact, McGill University, the University of Toronto, and the University of British Columbia all ranked among QS World University Rankings 2015/2016’s top 50 universities in the world. With such…
Ontario’s agri-food industry is one of the country’s fastest growing and highest performing sectors. In 2014, Ontario food and beverage processors accounted for 41% for the country’s processed food and beverage products. The industry continues to grow, and in doing so, has increased provincial gross domestic product (GDP), exports, and job creation in recent years….
My six-year-old son recently went through a period where he rejected picture books in favour of stories that I made up for him. I can’t say I embraced this impulse with adequate enthusiasm—composing a story on the spot is much more difficult than reading “Murmel, Murmel, Murmel”. However, it quickly became apparent that what he…
Three manufacturers in Cambridge, Ontario have been announced as recipients of the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund (SWODF). Nearly $2 million will be allocated between these businesses, which is expected to create 130 long-term jobs, while maintaining 476 current positions over the next four years. Each manufacturer will leverage these funds for strategic projects including facility…
Last week I wrote Part 1 of Downsizing: How to Optimize your Living Space, which explained trends in increasing living space per person. This trend was inconsistent with a reducing household headcount and flat-line house building costs, creating an excess in living space not seen in other countries. The solution to this issue, unfortunately, is…
Canadian small and mid-sized businesses (SMEs) are often the drivers of industry change, developing innovative solutions to complex problems. These solutions can increase productivity, reduce technical barriers, and provide new capabilities that expand product and service offerings. However, for many small businesses in Canada, a lack of resources restricts the amount of research, development, and…
Funded by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), the Growing Forward 2 (GF2) Ontario government funding program was created to support food processors, producers, and organizations/collaborations across the province. These Ontario government grants seek to encourage innovation, tackle key industry issues, increase market access, and grow the profits of Ontario food…
The Greenbelt Fund is an Ontario not-for-profit (NFP) organization which works with a variety of food producers, processors, and government organizations to increase the amount of locally grown and processed food options available to Ontario consumers. In doing so, Greenbelt Fund has provided Ontario government funding to over 111 projects which has assisted in more…
Small businesses often face technological hurdles which impede their ability to grow. Two of the most common growth challenges include developing and maintaining a profitable e-commerce presence and developing and testing innovative products or technologies. Small businesses often lack the technical expertise or access to facilities which make projects like these possible. As a result,…