GTA HotNews

1

GTMA Considers International Options for GTA Promotion in 2007

The GTMA annually develops an international marketing plan with its stakeholders including communications with municipal economic development officials, provincial and federal contacts, private sector partners, university leaders and intermediaries such as contacts at various GTA associations and the Boards and Chambers of Commerce across the GTA. In 2007, it appears that there is keen interest in the GTMA’s international missions and promotional initiatives, as witnessed in its successful 2006 missions and meeting programs in India, Australia, UK and across the USA.  Initiatives being considered for 2007 include programs in Europe (UK; Netherlands, Sweden, and France); USA (Michigan, California, New York); India (Mumbai, New Delhi, Chennai, Bangalore, Pune) and Asia (possibly including opportunities in such centers as Taipei, Tokyo, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Seoul). Key sectors being focused on include ICT, advanced manufacturing including automotive, aerospace and design, and energy and environment. In addition, business processing outsourcing, financial services and life sciences will be areas of interest. In addition to promoting investment attraction, the GTMA will begin to explore ways to deliver bi-lateral trade and investment opportunities for its partners and stakeholders.

back to top

2

GTMA Gratefully Acknowledges Partnership Renewals

The on-going support and participation of the private sector is essential to the success of the GTMA.  The GTMA gratefully acknowledges a renewed partnership with Four Halls Inc.  We encourage you to consider using the products and services of the GTMA’s corporate partners. Click here for a complete listing of GTMA Partner’s Resources and Services.

back to top

back to top

CONTACT:

George Fierheller

President
77 King Street West, Suite 4545
Royal Trust Tower Box 298
Toronto, ON Canada M5K 1K2
T: 416-861-1351

F: 416-947-2695

fierhel@attglobal.net

3

Toronto Remains the Undisputed Head Office King of Canada

A recent study of employment across head offices in Canada positions Toronto as the undisputed head office king of Canada with the number of employees jumping 19.2 per cent to 59,163 from 1999 to 2005.

Despite an increase in the number of foreign takeovers, the level of employment across head offices in Canada has remained unchanged over the last six years according to a Statistics Canada report. While the report found that foreign takeovers do result in the loss of Canadian control over what used to be domestic companies, the report contradicts the notion that such takeovers result in massive outflow of jobs. In fact, the report found that,”on balance, foreign takeovers have had little impact on employment in Canadian head offices.”

Read more on how other Canadian cities ranked

back to top

10th Consecutive Quarter of Improving Market Conditions –  J.J. Barnicke GTA Office Quarterly Report

The GTA office market continued its steady pace of improvement through the first half of 2006 according to J.J. Barnicke Ltd. In their release of the GTA Office Quarterly – 2006, J.J. Barnicke reported that office space vacancy decreased by .3% resulting in an increase in occupied space by just over 467,000 sq. ft. This is the 10th consecutive quarter of improving market conditions.

New building developments are also highlighted in the report, including the 1 million sq. ft., 50- storey office tower at the corner of Bay and Adelaide which held its official ground breaking ceremonies July 19th.

To read the full report, including developments being proposed by Menkes and Cadillac Fairview and other notable sale transactions click on J.J. Barnicke GTA Office Quarterly Report.

back to top

Groundbreaking at Bay-Adelaide Sign of New ‘Cycle’ Million Square Feet 50-Storey Office Tower

On July 19, Mayor David Miller and Brookfield Properties Corp. CEO, Ric Clark, took symbolic sledgehammer blows to the stump to pave the way for an urban park and a $300 million 50-storey office tower.

“Frankly, this stump represented a failure,“ Miller said at the ceremony. “And now we’re in the most significant development cycle as a city in more than a decade.”

The development represents Brookfield’s third office building announcement this year – signifying a vote of confidence from the business community in Canada’s largest city.  With the addition of the Menkes Development adjacent to Union Station and the Cadillac Fairview Corp. tower in the city’s entertainment district, by 2009 more than 3 million square feet of new office space will be built in the downtown core.

“I believe we can handle the extra space, by the time these building come on line it’ll be close to 20 years before we’ve had any significant addition to the office stock, “Brookfield CEO Clark said in an interview.

back to top

Aditya Birla Group to Acquire Minacs Worldwide - Acquisition By TransWorks - an Aditya Birla Nuvo Subsidiary Unites Leading Canadian and Indian BPO Companies

On June 23, The Aditya Birla Group announced that they have entered into an agreement to acquire Minacs Worldwide Inc., Canada's leading BPO provider. The offer for acquisition was made through TransWorks, a leading Indian BPO provider and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Aditya Birla Nuvo Limited. The cost of the acquisition will be approximately US$125 million.

“The acquisition demonstrates our commitment to emerge as a leading global BPO service provider and expand our global footprint…the objective will be to reliably deliver outstanding BPO services to global clients from anywhere in the world.” Commented Mr. Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman of Aditya Birla Group.

The combined business will have a revenue base of approximately US$300M.  Mr. Norman Betts, Chair of the Board of Directors of Minacs said, “I am very pleased that we have been able to find a great new partner in TransWorks, for our customers and for our shareholders. I am proud of this agreement and the future it secures.”

ReichmanHauer Capital Partners, a Toronto-based private investment firm, partnered with the Aditya Birla Group and intends to invest in the combined entity.

To access the full press release link to MINACS.

back to top

$46-Million Market Readiness Program to Assist Ontario’s Innovative Companies and Entrepreneurs

On July 21, the Ontario government unveiled a $46 million Market Readiness to help researchers and companies develop cutting-edge technologies.  The four-year program will provide innovative companies across the province with initial financial support, management expertise and training in order to bring new discoveries to the market faster.

The Program was announced by Premier and Minister of Research and Innovation Dalton McGuinty as part of the Government’s $160-millon Ideas to Market strategy.

"Bringing exciting new discoveries to market faster creates high-value jobs, attracts investment and ultimately builds a better quality of life for all Ontario families," said Premier McGuinty. "That's why we're supporting the innovative spirit of Ontario researchers and entrepreneurs by investing in their ideas and our economic future."

The Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE) and the MaRS Discovery District will deliver the program across Ontario starting in the fall.

"For almost 20 years, the OCE has helped move great ideas from 'mind to market' through the support of research, industrial collaboration and the commercialization of cutting-edge science and technology," said Mark Romoff, President and CEO of the OCE.  "The Market Readiness Program will help us expand the work we're doing and lead to even more made-in-Ontario innovation success stories."

Click on the link to view the entire content of Premier Guinty’s Press Release MARKET READINESS PROGRAM.

back to top

Durham Region – “Energy Capital of Ontario” Applauds Provincial Government’s Proposed New Waste Regulations

As a leader and innovator in the energy sector and producing 20% on Ontario’s energy needs, the Region of Durham applauded the provincial government’s recent decision to introduce draft regulations that encourages new waste technologies, makes recycling easier, and promotes “take-back programs.”

“We congratulate Minister Broten, and the Ontario government on the draft regulations that support new waste technologies and aim to keep waste out of landfills,” said Roger Anderson, Regional Chair of Durham Region. “Durham’s recycling program is the fifth largest in Canada, so we are pleased with this government’s proposal.”

As part of this announcement, the province is suggesting that pilot or demonstration projects, including energy-from-waste technologies, be removed from the current standard environmental assessment (EA) process and a mandatory waste hearing.

“Durham Region is a strong supporter of new waste technologies, which is why Durham Regional Council recently endorsed an energy-from-waste facility,” said Anderson. “We continue to work with our partner York Region towards diverting additional waste from landfill and believe this is a step in the right direction for municipalities.”

 For further information contact: REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY OF DURHAM: Tania Laverty – Communications Officer, Works Department 905-668-7711, ext. 3732.

back to top

The Ontario government’s Centre of Forensic Sciences and the University of Toronto at Mississauga are partnering to plan a new Forensic Sciences Institute that will be the first in Canada to offer postgraduate studies and leading-edge research opportunities for forensic scientists.

The institute will host laboratory research programs; specialized research infrastructure including high-resolution imaging technologies; graduate programs in laboratory sciences, forensic accounting and information security; undergraduate programs; professional development and continuing education; and community outreach.

The Forensic Sciences Institute is expected to be established by the start of 2007/08 academic year. For program information visit www.utm.utoronto.ca.

back to top

Call for Entries…Business Facilities 2006 Economic Development Deal of the Year Awards

It takes innovation in economic development to produce measurable results in today’s competitive environment. If you have a great economic development success story to tell, consider entering the Business Facilities’ awards.

Winners are the recipients of a national public relations campaign announcing your winning entry and will be featured in Business Facilities’ December 2006 issue.

As with all innovators, your time is very valuable so we’ve made entering our awards program easy. Business Facilities' staff is available to help you in the application process should you require assistance.

IT'S EASY TO ENTER!  click here to access the online entry form or contact Mary Ellen McCandless at 732-842-7433, ext. 228 with any questions.

DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES IS SEPTEMBER 1, 2006 SO YOU MUST ACT NOW!

back to top

Upcoming Events :

Sino-Canadian Economic Leaders’ Conference for Trade and Economic Cooperation 2006

In response to the growing importance of Global Markets, in particular trade between Canada and China over the past decade, The Canadian Chinese General Chamber of Industry and Commerce will host the 2006’s Summit Forum of Canadian-Chinese Business Leaders and the Conference on Economic Corporation between Canada and China.  The Summit is scheduled for September 6-8, 2006.  The opening sessions and Gala will be at the Metro Toronto Convention Center.  More than 100 leading businesses have committed to attend. 

The Conferences has attracted leading Chinese businesses and serious investors.  Among them include Chief of Manufacturing and Planning Department from Dong Feng Motor Co Ltd.; Chair of United-President Enterprises Corp.; CEO of ZTE International Investment Ltd.; President of Research Institute of Tsinghua University; and many others. 

The sessions and structure of the conference will provide opportunities for business leaders and interested companies from the two countries to meet, exchange ideas, identify areas of potential and develop business. 

The theme of the conference is “Promoting the exchange of the business - facilitating the growth of the trade between Canada and China.” Industries focused include finance, tourism, education and environment. The Conference is meant to be very down-to-earth facilitating opportunities for business leaders from both countries to present their insights and outlook on future cooperation and investment opportunities between the two countries. Most importantly, there will be plenty of networking opportunities with business leaders from Canada and China.  Private meetings will be encouraged and facilitated.  Join the sessions and get the inside story.

For further information on the conference, speakers, program itinerary and the gala event, email to Traderoadtochina@rogers.com and info@ccgc.com or call 416-502-9199.

back to top

A Bullfrog Powered Breakfast in Caledon

Caledon Mayor Marolyn Morrison is pleased to announce that Tom Heintzman, President & CEO of Bullfrog Power, will be the keynote speaker at her upcoming "Mayor's Business Breakfast" on Wednesday, September 20, 2006. Bullfrog Power is Ontario's first 100% green electricity retailer. And, in May 2006, the Town of Caledon became the first municipality in Ontario to power a municipal building with Bullfrog Power. Tom plans to speak about how businesses can employ a corporate energy strategy. To receive a detailed invitation, please email edc@caledon.ca with "September Breakfast" in the subject line. To find out why Caledon is the natural course of business, visit www.caledon.ca/edc.

back to top

Invitation to the GTA Call Centre Committee Speaker Series

The GTA Call Centre Committee will be hosting a networking forum on Wednesday, September 20th at 8:00 a.m. at the Ontario Investment Service, 161 Bay Street, Canada Trust Tower, Suite 4040.

SPEAKERS:

Elizabeth Winter (CPA), President, Contact Professionals Alliance, will be speaking on "Absenteeism in the Workplace"

Lilly Krstic, Subject Matter Expert with TELUS, will be speaking on "Contingency planning for  Call Centre's"

For further information, please contact  Sangeeta Bhatnagar at 416-596-3434, ext. 234 or by email at  sbhatnagar@spherion.ca.

back to top

Caledon Council's 2006 Charity Golf Tournament

Please join us on Tuesday, October 3, 2006 at Osprey Valley Resorts for Caledon Council's third annual charity golf tournament. Two very challenging, magnificent 18-hole courses will accommodate 288 golfers at this event. Your $175 tournament registration fee includes green fees, breakfast, cocktail reception, dinner and more. Corporate sponsorship opportunities are also available. For more information, contact Shannon Duggan 905-584-2272, ext. 4014 or shannon.duggan@caledon.ca. You can also download the registration package.

back to top

Canada and Switzerland Have the Adaptability and Ingenuity to Make it Happen!

It is our pleasure to invite you to attend a business seminar and luncheon hosted by Location Switzerland, Canadian Embassy Berne, Swiss Embassy Ottawa, Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT), KPMG, Swiss Canadian Chamber of Commerce (Ontario) Inc., and the Consulate General of Switzerland in Toronto

Come and hear Canadian and Swiss business leaders from the finance and private industry sectors discuss the implications of doing business in Canada and Switzerland.

Find out why multilingual countries like Canada and Switzerland are favoured as headquarters, and how companies can expand business activities into new markets.

Wednesday, October 18, 2006 8:00 a.m. – 12.30 p.m. Ontario Club

The seminar is followed by a luncheon. For more information, please contact Kathy Utigard, Consulate General of Switzerland, Toronto, 416-593-5371, ext. 227.

back to top