Welcome Introduction
Ontario is one of Canada’s most prosperous provinces. It has a diverse economy with extensive manufacturing, financial and business services. Ontario contributes about 40% of Canada’s total economic output and more than half of the country’s manufacturing shipments. Businesses have been moving towards a greater focus on exports in recent years, especially in areas such as information technology, the automotive sector and chemical industries.
In this section, we explain how you can become part of Ontario’s exciting business sector by applying as a business immigrant. Learn about the application process, and get the help you need to become a successful investor or entrepreneur.
Tejal says Full name is Tejal, and we are owner from India.
Tejal is looking at the camera
Tejal says We just wanted to try ourself in other country, how the things go, and we work about five, six years, and then we decided, okay, well, we're going to start with the business and how things go and we start the business. We are running the motel, gas station, and restaurant. We start from the North Bay, and then we move after Cochrane and here.
On screen text
On screen text Kapuskasing, Ontario
A car pulls up to a restaurant. Tejal is entering information on a computer
Tejal says We just recently bought the Casey, and we are just getting and learning still.
Tejal is talking to a group of restaurant workers.
Tejal says the more employee here. I have close to about 30 here. Yeah. And then other, has, I think about seven, eight, and other has four.
Tejal is looking at the camera
Tejal says I mostly find more familiar, like a similarity, like, our back home small-town things.
Tejal is driving in her car to make deliveries of food to the customers.
Tejal says Like, because, we're from the small town, so how the people, like, know each other. The--You know the neighbour. You can trust your neighbour, everything. It's the same atmosphere I see here too. So, like, you know, it's, it's kind of attaching to us, for us, you know, like, you know. We are from the country, but one way we are not feeling far, because we can feel the same atmosphere here.
Tejal is taking to restaurant kitchen staff
Tajal says The good place to do business, good place to raise your kids.
Tejal is taking notes while talking on the phone
Tejal says We definitely going to stick around here for sure.
On screen text
On screen text Can you describe Northeastern Ontario in one word?
Tejal is looking at the camera, then one after the other people from a variety of ethnic backgrounds say their answer.
Tejal says Opportunity
Female 3 says Future
Male 7 says Success
Guy says Big
Aakash says Prosperity
Child 1 says Friendly
Female 4 speaks in her native language then laughs
On screen text reads Your Gateway to the Goodlife is Here. Breathe in a Fresh New Life in Northeastern Ontario.
Starting a Business
Many immigrant entrepreneurs come to Northeastern Ontario to buy a business. We're finding that the most common business purchases for newcomers are motels, hotels, restaurants, fast food franchises, gas stations, pharmacies, convenience stores and commercial property. Others start their own business with assistance from a business centre in their city or town, or from a provincial centre. Northern Ontario entrepreneurs may be eligible for assistance from FedNor or the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation. These are government economic development agencies that supports business growth in certain priority sectors.
The monthly Northern Ontario Business publication keeps you on top of business developments across Northern Ontario.
Support Services for Businesses
Regional business development centres in North Bay , Timmins, Sudbury and Sault Ste. Marie offer a range of programs to help new businesses succeed. You can get advice on financing, marketing, start-up costs, business location, cash flow, banking and more. You may even be eligible for a small grant from your local Community Futures office.
Business Organizations
Once you have opened or purchased a business, take the next step and join your local Chamber of Commerce or Board of Trade. For a small annual membership fee, you will have many opportunities to network with like-minded business people. You can also take advantage of low cost group insurance policies for you and your employees through the Chamber’s national network.
Hire a Foreign Worker
There are times when a business owner can't find local employees for certain positions, and he or she has to look elsewhere. In such cases, hiring a foreign worker may be your only option, although the community would prefer that you exhaust local sources before you take this step.
Services for Employers
Employers can take advantage of many support services and resources, whether it's help in finding suitable employees, or keeping abreast of government reporting requirements and regulations. For the most up-to-date information, visit this site and this one if your location is between Latchford and Hearst and Kirkland Lake to Chapleau. If you are in the North Bay region look here , and here , Sudbury region here and here, and Sault Ste. Marie region here .