Summary

The Ministry supports economic growth and job creation focused on delivering value for money, enhanced accountability, and improved transparency for all Ontarians by:

  • providing programs and services that help increase Ontario's overall productivity and competitiveness, and help companies launch, grow and scale, and harness the right talent.
  • leading an all-of-government approach to develop and implement cross-cutting policies and strategies to ensure Ontario remains globally competitive and on a path towards continued economic growth.
  • partnering with other levels of government to develop policies, strategies, and solutions in support of small and medium-sized businesses.
  • developing and implementing strategies, policies and programs that help small businesses to start, grow and thrive.
  • supporting Ontario’s venture capital ecosystem to help companies grow and compete globally.

The Ministry also promotes Ontario as a top-tier trading partner and investment destination, showcasing how we are making it easier to establish and do business in the province. Through its international network of Trade and Investment Offices, and the delivery of trade policy and program supports, the Ministry protects Ontario’s interests in free trade agreements and helps businesses increase their exports to grow and scale.

Through its agency, Invest Ontario, the Ministry promotes Ontario as a top-tier investment destination, showing the world how we are making it easier to invest and do business in the province.

Ministry program summary

VoteProgramEstimates
2023-24
Estimates
2022-23
Difference
between
2023-24
and
2022-23
Actual
2021-22

Operating expense

901Ministry Administration Program$23,140,900$23,118,500$22,400$19,760,127
902Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Program$1,284,810,200$913,462,700$371,347,500$954,791,356
 Total operating expense to be voted$1,307,951,100$936,581,200$371,369,900$974,551,483
 Statutory appropriations$1,182,187$829,565$352,622$8,614,153
 Ministry total operating expense$1,309,133,287$937,410,765$371,722,522$983,165,636
 Consolidation Adjustment - Venture Ontario$671,400($1,278,800)$1,950,200($1,347,282)
 Consolidation Adjustment - General Real Estate Portfolio---($211)
 Consolidation Adjustment - Invest Ontario---$2,777,989
 Total including consolidation & other adjustments$1,309,804,687$936,131,965$373,672,722$984,596,132

Operating assets

902Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Program$109,722,000$143,000,000($33,278,000)$3,306,902
 Total operating assets to be voted$109,722,000$143,000,000($33,278,000)$3,306,902
 Ministry total operating assets$109,722,000$143,000,000($33,278,000)$3,306,902

Capital expense

902Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Program$3,000$3,000--
 Total capital expense to be voted$3,000$3,000--
 Statutory appropriations$1,000$1,000--
 Ministry total capital expense$4,000$4,000--
 Total including consolidation & other adjustments$4,000$4,000--

Capital assets

902Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Program$2,000$2,000--
 Total capital assets to be voted$2,000$2,000--
 Ministry total capital assets$2,000$2,000--
 Ministry total operating and capital including consolidation and other adjustments (not including assets)$1,309,808,687$936,135,965$373,672,722$984,596,132

Reconciliation to previously published data

Operating expenseEstimates
2022-23
Actual
2021-22
Total operating expense previously publishedfootnote 1$943,401,165$989,093,599
Government reorganization  

Transfer of functions to other ministries

($5,990,400)($5,927,963)
Restated total operating expense$937,410,765$983,165,636

Ministry Administration Program - Vote 901

This program provides financial, human resources, planning, legal, and other corporate services for the operational programs and certain agencies of the Ministry.

Vote summary

Item numberItemEstimates
2023-24
Estimates
2022-23
Difference
between
2023-24
and
2022-23
Actual
2021-22

Operating expense

1Ministry Administration$23,140,900$23,118,500$22,400$19,760,127
 Total operating expense to be voted$23,140,900$23,118,500$22,400$19,760,127
SMinister's Salary, the Executive Council Act$47,841$47,841-$49,301
SMinister without Portfolio’s Salary, the Executive Council Act-$22,378($22,378)-
SParliamentary Assistants' Salaries, the Executive Council Act$32,346$32,346-$19,918
SBad Debt expense, the Financial Administration Act$1,000$1,000-$873
 Total statutory appropriations$81,187$103,565($22,378)$70,092
 Total operating expense$23,222,087$23,222,065$22$19,830,219

Standard account by item and sub-items

Vote-
Item
number
Standard account by item and sub-itemsAmountAmount

Operating expense

901-1Ministry Administration  
 

Salaries and wages

 $14,036,800
 

Employee benefits

 $1,430,000
 

Transportation and communication

 $630,000
 

Services

 $6,590,000
 

Supplies and equipment

 $454,100
 

Other transactions

 $100,000
 Subtotal $23,240,900
 Less: Recoveries $100,000
 Total operating expense to be voted $23,140,900
 Sub-Items:  
 Main Office  
 

Salaries and wages

$6,082,200 
 

Employee benefits

$562,300 
 

Transportation and communication

$185,000 
 

Services

$1,761,900 
 

Supplies and equipment

$75,000$8,666,400
 Planning and Finance  
 

Salaries and wages

$3,695,500 
 

Employee benefits

$428,300 
 

Transportation and communication

$350,000 
 

Services

$1,680,100 
 

Supplies and equipment

$192,500 
 

Other transactions

$100,000 
 

Subtotal

$6,446,400 
 

Less: Recoveries

$100,000$6,346,400
 Human Resources  
 

Salaries and wages

$1,069,400 
 

Employee benefits

$105,400 
 

Transportation and communication

$40,000 
 

Services

$183,000 
 

Supplies and equipment

$20,000$1,417,800
 Communications Services  
 

Salaries and wages

$3,154,700 
 

Employee benefits

$332,000 
 

Transportation and communication

$35,000 
 

Services

$700,000 
 

Supplies and equipment

$40,000$4,261,700
 Legal Services  
 

Salaries and wages

$35,000 
 

Employee benefits

$2,000 
 

Transportation and communication

$20,000 
 

Services

$2,265,000 
 

Supplies and equipment

$126,600$2,448,600
 Total operating expense to be voted $23,140,900
 Statutory appropriations  
Statutory

Minister's Salary, the Executive Council Act

 $47,841
Statutory

Parliamentary Assistants' Salaries, the Executive Council Act

 $32,346
 Statutory appropriations  
 

Other transactions

  
Statutory

Bad Debt expense, the Financial Administration Act

 $1,000
 Total operating expense for Ministry Administration Program $23,222,087

Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Program - Vote 902

This program supports economic growth and job creation in Ontario by:

  • delivering and managing related funding and business support programs
  • engaging with industry to support Ontario priorities and issues management
  • collaborating with partner ministries to develop policies and strategies to improve business competitiveness
  • ensuring Ontario's interests are well-represented in all trade matters and negotiations; developing investment and trade strategies to increase Ontario's competitiveness domestically and internationally
  • identifying potential sites well suited for major industrial investments and working with municipalities, landowners and utility partners to make these sites investment ready
  • attracting, promoting, and facilitating exports and investment through Ontario’s international network of 15 Trade and Investment Offices
  • delivering export growth programs and services to help Ontario businesses enhance their global profile
  • providing broader investment services and valuable connections for investors looking to establish their businesses in the province
  • advancing Foreign Direct Investment in Ontario and building strategic partnerships with leading companies and stakeholders within key sectors of Ontario’s economy
  • attracting and growing investment in key business clusters, regions, and sectors, such as automotive, advanced manufacturing, biomanufacturing and life sciences
  • establishing a Land Development Allocation to finance the development of an inventory of assembled and serviceable industrial sites that equips Ontario to secure high-value strategic greenfield projects in its investment pipeline

Ontario’s investment attraction agency, Invest Ontario, plays a pivotal role in the province’s economic recovery and future growth. It works to secure anchor and next generation investments that will create jobs, increase resilience, and diversify our economy, and create new opportunities across value and supply chains.

The Ministry is delivering technology adoption and talent programs that build strong relationships with members of the entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystem and to provide them with access to capital and services to scale-up their businesses and create jobs.

The Ministry also supports Intellectual Property Ontario, a new go-to resource that will help researchers and companies maximize the value of their intellectual property (IP) and strengthen their capacity to grow and compete in the global market.

Vote summary

Item numberItemEstimates
2023-24
Estimates
2022-23
Difference
between
2023-24
and
2022-23
Actual
2021-22

Operating expense

13Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade$1,284,810,200$913,462,700$371,347,500$954,791,356
 Total operating expense to be voted$1,284,810,200$913,462,700$371,347,500$954,791,356
SBad Debt expense, the Financial Administration Act$1,101,000$726,000$375,000$8,544,061
 Total statutory appropriations$1,101,000$726,000$375,000$8,544,061
 Total operating expense$1,285,911,200$914,188,700$371,722,500$963,335,417

Operating assets

14Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade$109,722,000$143,000,000($33,278,000)$3,306,902
 Total operating assets to be voted$109,722,000$143,000,000($33,278,000)$3,306,902
 Total operating assets$109,722,000$143,000,000($33,278,000)$3,306,902

Capital expense

21Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade$3,000$3,000--
 Total capital expense to be voted$3,000$3,000--
SAmortization, the Financial Administration Act$1,000$1,000--
 Total statutory appropriations$1,000$1,000--
 Total capital expense$4,000$4,000--

Capital assets

22Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade$2,000$2,000--
 Total capital assets to be voted$2,000$2,000--
 Total capital assets$2,000$2,000--

Standard account by item and sub-items

Vote-
Item
number
Standard account by item and sub-itemsAmountAmountAmount

Operating expense

902-13Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade   
 

Salaries and wages

  $42,161,300
 

Employee benefits

  $5,116,500
 

Transportation and communication

  $3,677,900
 

Services

  $21,934,700
 

Supplies and equipment

  $1,126,100
 

Transfer payments

   
 

Auto Assemblers Investments

 $5,400,000 
 

Automotive Plan

 $6,050,000 
 

Commercialization and Innovation Network Support

 $21,604,200 
 

Communitech Hub

 $3,900,000 
 

Critical Technologies Initiative

 $32,200,000 
 

Enhanced Digital Mainstreet

 $20,000,000 
 

Futurpreneur

 $2,000,000 
 

Industrial Land Development

 $90,350,000 
 

Intellectual Property Ontario

 $7,682,300 
 

Invest Ontario Fund

 $34,000,000 
 

Invest Ontario Fund - operating

 $13,910,000 
 

Jobs and Prosperity Fund and other Business Support Programs

 $149,059,700 
 

Life Sciences Strategy

 $5,500,000 
 

Ontario Business-Research Institute Tax Credit

 $27,266,300 
 

Ontario Centre of Innovation

 $17,050,000 
 

Ontario Innovation Tax Credit

 $191,212,400 
 

Ontario Made Manufacturing Investment Tax Credit

 $215,000,000 
 

Ontario Together Fund

 $1,000,000 
 

Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network

 $15,680,000 
 

Regional Opportunities Investment Tax Credit

 $80,710,800 
 

Small Business Digitization Competence Centre

 $5,000,000 
 

Sector Support Grants

 $12,502,500 
 

Small Business Enterprise Centres Entrepreneurship Programs

 $10,901,000 
 

Strategic Investments

 $240,017,400 
 

Toronto Global

 $2,500,000 
 

Trillium Network for Advanced Manufacturing

 $500,000$1,210,996,600
 Subtotal  $1,285,013,100
 Less: Recoveries  $202,900
 Total operating expense to be voted  $1,284,810,200
 Sub-Items:   
 Economic Development and Investment   
 

Salaries and wages

 $15,257,700 
 

Employee benefits

 $2,083,200 
 

Transportation and communication

 $1,562,800 
 

Services

 $6,686,300 
 

Supplies and equipment

 $465,200 
 

Transfer payments

   
 

Auto Assemblers Investments

$5,400,000  
 

Automotive Plan

$6,050,000  
 

Critical Technologies Initiative

$32,200,000  
 

Enhanced Digital Mainstreet

$20,000,000  
 

Industrial Land Development

$90,350,000  
 

Invest Ontario Fund

$34,000,000  
 

Invest Ontario Fund - operating

$13,910,000  
 

Jobs and Prosperity Fund and other Business Support Programs

$149,059,700  
 

Life Sciences Strategy

$5,500,000  
 

Ontario Made Manufacturing Investment Tax Credit

$215,000,000  
 

Ontario Together Fund

$1,000,000  
 

Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network

$15,680,000  
 

Regional Opportunities Investment Tax Credit

$80,710,800  
 

Small Business Digitization Competence Centre

$5,000,000  
 

Sector Support Grants

$12,502,500  
 

Strategic Investments

$240,017,400  
 

Toronto Global

$2,500,000  
 

Trillium Network for Advanced Manufacturing

$500,000$929,380,400$955,435,600
 Strategy and Policy   
 

Salaries and wages

 $4,986,800 
 

Employee benefits

 $571,700 
 

Transportation and communication

 $99,500 
 

Services

 $608,400 
 

Supplies and equipment

 $53,000 
 

Subtotal

 $6,319,400 
 

Less: Recoveries

 $202,900$6,116,500
 Start-ups and Scale-ups   
 

Salaries and wages

 $6,800,000 
 

Employee benefits

 $885,000 
 

Transportation and communication

 $415,600 
 

Services

 $2,502,700 
 

Supplies and equipment

 $229,000 
 

Transfer payments

   
 

Futurpreneur

$2,000,000  
 

Small Business Enterprise Centres Entrepreneurship Programs

$10,901,000$12,901,000$23,733,300
 International Trade   
 

Salaries and wages

 $15,116,800 
 

Employee benefits

 $1,576,600 
 

Transportation and communication

 $1,600,000 
 

Services

 $12,137,300 
 

Supplies and equipment

 $378,900$30,809,600
 Innovation   
 

Transfer payments

   
 

Commercialization and Innovation Network Support

$21,604,200  
 

Communitech Hub

$3,900,000  
 

Intellectual Property Ontario

$7,682,300  
 

Ontario Business-Research Institute Tax Credit

$27,266,300  
 

Ontario Centre of Innovation

$17,050,000  
 

Ontario Innovation Tax Credit

$191,212,400$268,715,200$268,715,200
 Total operating expense to be voted  $1,284,810,200
 Statutory appropriations   
 

Other transactions

   
Statutory

Bad Debt expense, the Financial Administration Act

  $1,101,000
 Total operating expense for Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Program  $1,285,911,200

Operating assets

902-14Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade   
 

Loans and Investments

   
 

Invest Ontario

 $49,500,000 
 

Strategic Investments

 $3,000,000 
 

Jobs and Prosperity Fund and other Business Support Programs

 $57,222,000$109,722,000
 Total operating assets to be voted  $109,722,000
 Total operating assets for Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Program  $109,722,000

Capital expense

902-21Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade   
 

Other transactions

  $3,000
 Total capital expense to be voted  $3,000
 Statutory appropriations   
 

Other transactions

   
Statutory

Amortization, the Financial Administration Act

  $1,000
 Total capital expense for Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Program  $4,000

Capital assets

902-22Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade   
 

Investments in Tangible capital Asset

  $1,000
 

Land and marine fleet - asset costs

  $1,000
 Total capital assets to be voted  $2,000
 Total capital assets for Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Program  $2,000