Oshawa to Pickering voted among top 20 investment locations in Canada

Durham Region has been cited as among the top 20 locations in Canada for new business and real estate investment.

The ranking comes from Site Selection Magazine, an internationally published outlet for corporate news. “Evaluated on a cumulative and per-capita basis and examined across regions and municipalities,” the magazine wrote, “the project data show us where companies are investing with the most frequency, the most capital and the most job creation.”

Among the selections from Ontario, Durham ranked alongside Brampton, Bradford, Halton, Hamilton, London, Mississauga, and Toronto. Ontario was the best-represented province on the list. Quebec featured three municipalities; Alberta featured two; British Columbia, Manitoba, Nova Scotia and PEI each featured one.

“The recognition by Site Selection Magazine solidifies Durham’s standing as a prime investment destination and highlights the region’s reputation as an innovative and welcoming environment for successfully growing businesses,” the Region wrote of its selection.

Site Selection recognized Durham for several recent major projects including the Ontario Power Generation expansion, H&M in Ajax, Lactalis Canada in Oshawa, Wonderbrands in Pickering and Martin Brower in Oshawa.

These and other projects have led to “$250 million and 3,000 jobs land in Oshawa alone, thanks to the work of the city’s business and economic development services team, which reported total building permit activity of $639 million in 2023, its second-highest total construction value on record,” according to Site Selection.

“The top 20 investment ranking marks the first time Durham Region’s Economic Development and Tourism division (Invest Durham) has been recognized by Site Selection magazine and the acknowledgment highlights the successful collaboration of the Durham Economic Development Partnership,” the region wrote.

This partnership “sees economic developers from across the municipal and regional levels work together to provide seamless service delivery to Durham’s business community,” they continued, “Their work is to collaboratively deliver on the opportunity created by Durham Region’s booming growth and talented workforce, ensuring innovators and entrepreneurs are supported in our in-demand community.”