Exports from Canada´s Technology Triangle Continue to Grow - Region Outpaces Provincial and National Levels

Waterloo Region has long been regarded as an “export powerhouse,” fueled by regional economic diversity and strategic access to markets, facilitating the flow of goods. According to a new study prepared for CTT Inc by Community Benchmarks, the Waterloo Region is outperforming provincial and national growth in value of product exports. In 2004, Waterloo Region exported over $12 billion CDN worth of products, a 33.9 percent increase from year 2000. In comparison, Ontario’s exports declined by 4.0 percent, and Canadian exports as a whole declined 0.3 percent over the same time period.

A copy of this report can be found here. 

On February 9, 2006 Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities Chris Bentley announced that the Province is creating four new campuses to teach undergraduate medicine in Ontario.  One of these campuses will be located in Waterloo Region.  The school will be affiliated with McMaster University’s DeGroote School of Medicine and will be located at the University of Waterloo’s future health sciences campus in downtown Kitchener.

Strengthening regional health institutions is one of the strategic directions outlined in the “Good to Great” discussion paper, and the Prosperity Council partners are pleased that Waterloo Region will soon be training more talented people in the field of medicine. 

To view the Ministry’s News Release, please click here

 BMO Financial Group Predicts High-Growth Future for Waterloo Region´s Diverse Economy

Stellar performance of the Waterloo Region and  Guelph is evidenced in the most recent BMO Economic Outlook report.  The BMO Financial Group estimated 2005 growth to 5.1 per cent, outpacing the provincial and national growth rate.  

To view a copy of the BMO report, please click here.

 Provincial Growth Plan to Impact Region

In November 2005 the Ministry of Public Infrastructure Renewal released Places To Grow: Proposed Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe. The draft document attempts to lay out a planning framework that includes the concept of “smart growth” for a large part of the province - including Waterloo Region.   

The proposed Growth Plan will have a significant impact on the region.  Please click here to view the Business Times article on this topic written by Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce President Todd Letts

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