Introducing Opportunity
Ontario, Canada
Welcome to Ontario's International Marketing Centre in London, UK! Discover why Ontario is an efficient hub for international business.
Ontario and the United Kingdom
Ontario has strong economic and cultural ties with the UK. Over 200 companies from the UK have operations in Ontario, employing over 40,000 people. Ontario and the UK have a strong trade and investment relationship. The UK is Ontario’s second-largest destination for exports after the United States as well as a top ten source of Ontario’s imports. About three percent of foreign capital investment in Ontario is from the UK.
For more information on Ontario-UK investment and trade relations, visit our linkages section.
International Marketing Centre – What We Do
This centre is part of Ontario’s Ministry of Economic Development and Trade. As part of their mandate to promote awareness of Ontario and the province’s many business opportunities. Staff activities include, but are not limited to:
- Working with UK companies to find investment opportunities in Ontario
- Working with Ontario firms looking for opportunities in the UK
- Promoting awareness of and access to Ontario-produced goods and Services
- Building relationships with the media and local governments
Our International Marketing Centre is located in the Canadian High Commission. Please contact us to find out how we can assist you in accessing Ontario opportunities.
Ontario is Canada's Economic Powerhouse
Ontario is the largest province in Canada, and accounts for 39% of its population, and 39% of Canada’s GDP. Ontario’s economy is larger than that of many countries including Sweden, Austria or Switzerland.
Ontario offers many competitive advantages, including:
- Direct access to the North American market
- A highly-educated multicultural workforce with advanced manufacturing skills and international business experience
- An innovative environment
- A low-risk investment climate
For more information on what Ontario has to offer, please view the following publications Ontario: Facts, Figures and Firsts (PDF) or Ontario: A Hub for Global Business (PDF)
Please visit our key sectors section for more details on our competitive advantages particular industries.
Ontario’s Market Access:
- Ontario is part of NAFTA (the North American Free Trade Agreement), which provides access to a market with over 435 million people.
- Ontario's land transportation network is linked to U.S. routes at 15 road, rail and marine crossings and the Great Lakes/St. Lawrence Seaway System links Ontario ports with markets in the U.S. and worldwide.
- Ontario has five international airports: Toronto's Pearson, Ottawa, London, Hamilton and Thunder Bay.
- Ontario is about a 2-hour flight from major U.S. centres like Chicago, New York and Boston.
- Ontario has same-day business access to Europe and evening overlap with Asia.
- Ontario has cultural and business affinities with Europe and Asia that smooth the way for international trade, investment and project partnerships.
