Published plans and annual reports 2017–2018: Ministry of International Trade
Plans for 2017–2018, and results and outcomes of all provincial programs delivered by the Ministry of Citizenship, Immigration and International Trade in 2016–2017.
Ministry overview
Mandate
The Ministry of International Trade was created in June 2016 to address an increasingly complex global economic environment, and to maximize the economic outcomes of Ontario’s international activities and opportunities.
The Ministry is responsible for Ontario’s international trade strategy that positions Ontario as a global trading partner and champions its international economic and business interests with a strategic focus on scaling-up the province’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through export support programs.
In delivering its mandate, the Ministry serves as the central hub of international trade for Ontario, driving partnerships and coordination across all ministries, municipalities, regions and businesses, and with the federal government, toward greater outcomes for Ontario.
Ministry contribution to priorities and results
Trade is essential for Ontario’s growth and competitiveness and it is essential that Ontario is proactive in its approach. Trade strengthens the economy by creating jobs, accelerating innovation and boosting GDP.
The Ministry contributes to the government priority of “Supportive and Dynamic Business Environment” by strengthening Ontario’s economy and innovation agenda. In 2017-18, the Ministry’s activities to support this priority will include:
- increasing the number and size of Ontario exporters to support economic growth and job creation
- diversifying markets by offering a continuum of services to build SME export capacity, encourage first-time exporters, and de-risk entry into international markets
- working with Ontario companies to stimulate their interest in exporting through a multi-faceted domestic public awareness and outreach campaign
- expanding Ontario’s international footprint through deeper in-market relationships, new tactics, and increasing in-market support in key international markets
- continuing to develop Ontario as a destination for investment and trade by reaching out to our global partners, including deploying key trade missions and seizing the untapped potential of incoming commercial delegations
- working with Ontario stakeholders to create a policy platform for strategic initiatives in international trade, based on sharing comprehensive data and analytics, relevant trade measures and market intelligence that will inform and maximize Ontario’s international trade activities
- working across government to ensure strong collaboration and information sharing
- providing expert guidance and support, and developing a trade engagement strategy to inform Ontario’s efforts to enhance Ontario’s economic and trade relations with the United States
- working with the federal government to negotiate and implement new international trade agreements
Ministry programs and activities
The Ministry is responsible for the following program area:
International Trade:
This Program supports economic growth and job creation in Ontario. It is responsible for Ontario’s international trade strategy that positions Ontario as a global trading partner and champions its international economic and business interests, with a strategic focus on scaling-up the province’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through export support programs.
The Program has three primary activities:
International Trade Policy and Representation leads development of trade strategy and manages international presence, inter/intra governmental relations, strategic partnerships, and data analytics.
International Trade Program focuses on increasing the number of exporters by delivering programs to Ontario’s SMEs to help them begin to export or to expand into new export markets.
Marketing and Missions expands export opportunities for Ontario businesses, promotes Ontario’s goods and services globally through the delivery of International Missions, and hosts business delegations to Ontario.
The table below illustrates the Ministry’s key program commitments and expected results for 2017-18.
| Key Commitments for 2017-18 | Expected Results |
|---|---|
Strengthen Ontario’s Global Footprint through Ontario’s international representatives by:
| In the short-term:
In the longer-term:
|
| Assist Ontario companies in exporting their products and services to key markets worldwide. | In the short-term:
In the longer-term:
|
| Make SMEs aware of the benefits of exporting and encourage them to take advantage of the range of government programs available. | Targeted multi-channel outreach campaigns to build awareness of export programs and services are executed. |
| Develop International Trade Strategies that will help Ontario businesses increase and diversify exports and become more productive. | Trade strategy established that identifies new markets and can direct trade missions to and from jurisdictions with the highest potential to open up new export opportunities. |
Work with the federal government to negotiate and implement new international trade agreements. Provide expert advice, guidance and decision-making support in the development of Ontario’s U.S. trade engagement strategy, including expected renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and other facets of Ontario-U.S. trade-related files. | The federal government integrates Ontario’s interests into federal negotiating positions. Strong representation by Ontario in Federal-Provincial-Territorial engagement around an expected NAFTA renegotiation to ensure the Province’s interests are advanced. |
Table 1: Ministry planned expenditures 2017-18 ($M)
| Expenditure type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Operating | 61.6 |
| Capital | 0.0 |
| Total | 61.6 |
Highlights of 2016-17 achievements
The government created a standalone Ministry of International Trade in June 2016, to advance Ontario’s strategic trade initiatives.
The Ministry undertook a number of initiatives and delivered results that support the government’s key priority of “Supportive and Dynamic Business Environment” by:
- strengthening Ontario’s Global Footprint through Ontario’s international representatives, which act as business ambassadors for the Province, to project Ontario on the world stage, provide expertise and connections to facilitate new economic partnerships, and contribute to the Province’s trade and investment
- assisting Ontario companies in exporting their products and services to key markets worldwide and to attract Foreign Direct Investment
- making SMEs aware of the benefits of exporting and encouraging them to take advantage of the range of government programs available
- working with the federal government and other partners to implement international free trade agreements to advance the economic interests of all Ontarians
- establishing policy and data capacity to ensure that comprehensive analytical, business and market intelligence underpins all trade policy/program initiatives
- co-leading the Province’s U.S. Engagement Strategy and providing oversight in the development of all aspects of this enterprise-wide strategy
Ministry organization chart
- Minister of International Trade – Michael Chan
- Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of International Trade – Monte Kwinter
- Deputy Minister – Shirley Philips
- Executive Assistant to the Deputy Minister – Jean Abou-Saab
- International Trade Policy and Representation Division Assistant Deputy Minister – David Barnes
- Trade Strategy Analytics and Partnerships Branch Director – David Wai (A)
- International Representation Branch Director – Alan Crawley (A)
- U.S. Trade Engagement Executive Lead – Hugo Cameron (A)
- Marketing and Missions Division Assistant Deputy Minister – Alexandra Sutton
- Marketing Branch Director – Margaret Steeves
- International Missions Secretariat Director – Terrie Romano (A)
- International Trade Programs Division Assistant Deputy Minister – Cameron Sinclair
- Export Services Branch Director – Enrico Di Niro
- Business Engagement Branch Director – Mohan Roshan
- Regional and Corporate Services Division Assistant Deputy Minister/CAO1 – Maureen Buckley
- Human Resources Branch Director2 – Limborio Campisi
- Corporate Finance Branch Director – Tony Marzotto
- Regional Services and Corporate Support Branch Director – Neil Coburn
- Corporate Policy and Planning Branch Director – Joanne Lorenzi (A)
- Communications Branch Director3 – Deborah Swain
- Legal Services Branch Director4 – Fateh Salim
- Government Services Integration Cluster Chief Information Officer5 – Robert Devries
1 Administratively reports to Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration. Provides services to multiple organizations.
Dual Reporting Relationships:
2 Reports to ADM, Regional and Corporate Services Division,Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration and ADM, HRService Delivery, Ministry of Government and Consumer Services.
3 Reports to DM, Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration and DM, Corporate Communications and Associate Secretary of the Cabinet.
4 Reports to DM, Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration and Assistant DeputyAttorney General, Ministry of the Attorney General.
5 Reports to Corporate Chief Information and Information Technology Officer, Treasury Board Secretariat.
(A) Denotes “Acting”
Agencies, Boards and Commissions (ABCs)
Ontario Investment and Trade Advisory Council (OITAC):
OITAC was established to provide strategic advice and support to the government on promoting Ontario to the world as a premier location for business investment and business immigration.
Detailed financial information
Table 2: combined operating and capital summary by vote
| Votes/Programs | Estimates 2017-18 $ | Change from Estimates 2016-17 $ | % | Estimates 2016-17 $ | Interim Actuals 2016-17 $ | Actuals 2015-16 $ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Operating expense | ||||||
| Capital assets | ||||||
| Capital expense | ||||||
| Ministry Administration Program | 3,507,700 | 3,507,700 | 100.0 | - | - | - |
| International Trade* | 58,032,500 | 25,345,200 | 77.5 | 32,687,300 | 30,969,040 | 20,509,292 |
| Total Operating Expense to be Voted | 61,540,200 | 28,852,900 | 88.3 | 32,687,300 | 30,969,040 | 20,509,292 |
| Statutory Appropriations | 64,014 | 64,014 | 100.0 | - | - | - |
| Ministry Total Operating Expense | 61,604,214 | 28,916,914 | 88.5 | 32,687,300 | 30,969,040 | 20,509,292 |
| Ministry Administration Program | 1,000 | 1,000 | 100.0 | - | - | - |
| Total Capital Expense to be Voted | 1,000 | 1,000 | 100.0 | - | - | - |
| Statutory Appropriations | 1,000 | 1,000 | 100.0 | - | - | - |
| Ministry Total Capital Expense | 2,000 | 2,000 | 100.0 | - | - | - |
| Ministry Administration Program | 1,000 | 1,000 | 100.0 | - | - | - |
| Total Capital Assets to be Voted | 1,000 | 1,000 | 100.0 | - | - | - |
| Ministry Total Capital Assets | 1,000 | 1,000 | 100.0 | - | - | - |
| Ministry Total Operating and Capital Including Consolidation and Other Adjustments (not including Assets) | 61,606,214 | 28,918,914 | 88.5 | 32,687,300 | 30,969,040 | 20,509,292 |
*Estimates, Interim Actuals and Actuals for prior fiscal years are re-stated to reflect any changes in ministry organization and/or program structure. Interim actuaIs reflect the numbers presented in the 2017 Ontario Budget.
Appendix: 2016-17 annual report
2016-17 achievements
In 2016-17 fiscal year, the Ministry:
- strengthened Ontario’s Global Footprint with:
- the Ontario International Trade and Investment Offices assisting more than 560 companies in accessing export markets, facilitating trade transactions totalling about $1.8 million of projected sales, and contributing to 19 won investment deals representing 205 jobs created and retained and more than $44.5 million invested in Ontario
- progress made towards opening new offices in Seoul and Hong Kong
- six Minister-led and three Premier-led international missions
- assisted Ontario companies in exporting their products and services to key markets worldwide by:
- actively working with Ontario’s SMEs on diversifying their exports to key markets worldwide and providing ongoing support to SMEs in primary markets
- assisting new and experienced exporters to prepare for international markets and bringing 790 companies on 75 international trade missions through Ontario’s Going Global Strategy. These companies generated over $700 million in potential sales, directly attributed to these missions. Client satisfaction rating of 89.5%
- made SMEs aware of the benefits of exporting and encouraged them to take advantage of the range of government programs available by running outreach campaigns that resulted in:
- over 18 times increase in web traffic
- 365 new calls into the Ministry’s call centre
- close to triple the number of export searches
- provided leadership and direction in the negotiation and implementation of international free trade agreements by:
- engaging with the federal government and other partners to negotiate agreements that best advance the economic interests of all Ontarians
- building required expertise on international free trade agreements by engaging third party experts to support decision-making and establishing a U.S. Trade Engagement Team
- advanced the Province’s strategic trade initiatives to position the Ministry as a catalyst for international trade in Ontario by:
- providing leadership in the creation of a new standalone ministry and initiatives in support of its mandate
- developing a framework to set government priorities and increase Ontario’s international exports over the next five years
- co-leading the Province’s U.S. Engagement Strategy
- establishing policy and data capacity to ensure that comprehensive analytical, business and market intelligence underpins all trade policy/program initiatives.
Table 3: Ministry interim actual expenditures 2016-17
| Expenditure type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Operating | 31.0 |
| Capital | 0.0 |
| Staff Strength** (as of March 31, 2017) | 115.0 |
*Interim actuals reflect the numbers presented in the 2017 Ontario Budget.
**Ontario Public Service Full-Time Equivalent positions. Excludes seasonal, students and leaves of absence.