First Ontario-Québec Economic Forum
February 28, 2011
McGuinty and Charest Governments making it easier to do business between provinces
For the first time in history, an Ontario-Québec Economic Forum with businesses and other institutions will meet to further trade and relationships between both provinces.Ontario and Québec makes up a powerful North American collaboration to compete at the same level as New York, California and Texas. Together, the two provinces form the fourth-largest economic zone in North America.
Ontario’s Economic Development and Trade Minister, Sandra Pupatello and Québec’s Economic Development, Innovation, and Exports Minister, Clément Gignac are participating in the event with more than 150 leaders from both provinces’ business, post-secondary and not-for-profit sectors. The forum will focus on the following:
- Better promote productivity between the provinces
- Encourage small-and-medium-sized businesses to leverage new technologies
- Invest in education to help foster talent
- Life Sciences Corridor between Ontario and Québec
- Sharing best practices
- Improving the business climate
- Leveraging joint investment and export opportunities for businesses
Ontario and Quebec are home to more than 21-million people and $204-billion in exports. And the provinces represent more than 55 percent of interprovincial trade in Canada.
QUICK FACTS
- Premiers McGuinty and Charest signed the Ontario-Québec Agreement on Trade and Co-operation in September 2009 which provides a framework for a regional economic alliance that will allow Ontario and Québec companies to better compete and succeed not only within North America, but internationally.
- The Agreement aims to create a prosperous Ontario-Québec partnership to improve economic and trade activity, environmental protection, energy supply and transportation links.
