Collaborative Canada
by John Jung, CEO, Canada's Technology Triangle Inc
 The reality is that Canada is not on the lips or radar screens of most people around the world. Clearly we have a huge job to even get noticed above the noise in key target regions around the world. To sustain a massive advertising campaign to gain awareness to attract foreign investments and talent is simply not possible for most communities.
While some cities in Canada are more recognizable than others due to past World Fairs and Olympics or the construction of a world famous tower, most cities in Canada are invisible at a global level. But imagine what we could do if most of Canada’s top cities got together and through the dynamic of a critical mass of over half of Canada’s population base, we took a collaborative approach to getting our consistent message out? [Read More]
‹‹ Return to Top
Regional Economic Development News
 |
Septodont breaks ground on $35-million addition - September 29, 2010
Eager to expand into more international markets while staying abreast of pharmaceutical regulations, a Cambridge manufacturer of dental pain control products broke ground on a $35-million expansion Tuesday.... [Read More] |
 |
University of Waterloo honours Canada's next Governor General, key staff member and academics at convocation - September 22, 2010
David Johnston, Governor General Designate, is among four people being honoured during the University of Waterloo's fall convocation to be held next month.
At convocation on Saturday, Oct. 23, Johnston, ranked among the most respected and admired educators and public servants in Canada, will receive an honorary doctor of laws degree.... [Read More] |
 |
Government of Canada Promotes Jobs and Growth in Southern Ontario - September 14, 2010
Businesses, post-secondary institutions and industry in southern Ontario will benefit from a new program to accelerate the development of large-scale, advanced technology projects with commercial potential.... [Read More] |
 |
DossierView to Graduate from Waterloo’s Accelerator Centre - September 9, 2010
The Accelerator Centre (AC), an award-winning and world-renowned centre for the cultivation of technology entrepreneurship announced today the graduation of DossierView, the seventh company to graduate from the AC since the facility opened its doors in 2006, and the fifth graduation since September of 2009.... [Read More] |
 |
PM announces improvements for tri-cities commuters - September 8, 2010
Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced a significant investment in a rapid transit project for the Kitchener-Waterloo-Cambridge area that will improve public transit and support the regional economy.... [Read More] |
View all Regional Economic Development News
 Regional EcDev News | Media Releases | CTT Blog
‹‹ Return to Top
Events
 |
December 2, 2010 - 2nd Annual International Ambassador Dinner and Reception
Insights on Being International
Ken Taylor is the former Canadian Ambassador to Iran, and in 1980 he risked his own life to help save the lives of six American hostages during the Iran Crisis. Ken knows all too well about taking strategic risks, especially in a global context. The events of that period helped to catapult Canada's reputation and open many people's eyes on taking strategic risks. Ken's speech will be an inspiration to others interested not only in his work as a diplomat, but also interested in international trends and understanding the importance of taking strategic risks, especially internationally.
Our community benefits greatly from attracting foreign direct investment. It is also important to understand the value of also undertaking two-way trade through outward foreign direct investment, or as it's officially known, Canada Direct Investment Abroad. Waterloo Region has a long history of connections to international activities, and many of our technology, education and automotive executives travel extensively. However, many of our SMEs in other industry sectors might not be fully engaged as part of the global value chain. Yet, opportunities abroad may actually help them in growing their businesses. Witness the growth of our technology firms such as Open Text and RIM through export and trade, and our clean tech businesses such as Canadian Solar and Arise Technologies with their activities abroad. CTT not only is the key regional organization that attracts investment from abroad, but also helps local firms to explore opportunities internationally.
Ken Taylor's speech will help to inspire us all and give us a view of the world from the eyes of an experienced diplomat and international business consultant. Mark December 2 on your calendar now and come out to meet a Canadian icon. The evening will be one to remember.
Opportunites are available to sponsor this event. To learn more about how your organization can benefit from sponsoring this highly anticipated event, please visit the December 2, 2010 Sponsorship Information page.
To order tickets please contact Kate Mowry, Events Coordinator [Learn More]. |
Past Events
September 29, 2010 – CTT hosted a Chairman’s International Breakfast with guest speakers Valerie Machado, Business Development Officer, City of Kitchener Economic Development and MIN Advisory Board Chair and Jason Santo, Business Development Coordinator, CTT and MIN Community Facilitator.
 September 28, 2010 - UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), in partnership with Canada’s Technology Triangle (CTT) hosted an information session on trade and investment opportunities in the West Midlands, UK, followed by a networking lunch. The visiting delegation of ICT companies from the West Midlands seeks to establish strategic alliances with Waterloo based companies. The delegation had a tour of the Google Offices and the new Communitech Hub: Digital Media and Mobile Accelerator.
September 24, 2010 – Bill Elliot, VP Business Development, presented an overview of Canada’s Technology Triangle to officials from the Chongqing Foreign Affairs Office during their visit to the City of Waterloo.
View all CTT Inc Events | View Other EcDev and Partner Events
‹‹ Return to Top
No Risk in Waterloo Region’s Finance & Insurance Sector
 1839, 1870, 1871, 1890 – what do these years represent? The founding of Gore Mutual, Sun Life, Economical Mutual and Manulife respectively in Waterloo Region. Almost 200 years of proud insurance tradition.
Today the Finance and Insurance sector employs almost 20,000, representing over 6% of our workforce.
Canadian Head offices are interspersed with Regional HQ and branch offices. The sector continues to grow and attract new entrants. All 3 of our postsecondary institutions provide excellent education and training for this workforce. Accounting and Business grads from Waterloo, Laurier and Conestoga are a valued resource that enables the sector to grow and prosper.
Research Institutes include:
- Waterloo Institute of Insurance & Pension Research
- Waterloo Business & Industrial Statistics Research Group
- Waterloo Centre for Advanced Studies in Finance
- Waterloo Centre for Applied Cryptographic Research
- Canada Research Chair in Quantitative Risk Management
- Munich Re Chair in Insurance
- Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Chair in Financial Risk Management
- Waterloo Research institute in Insurance, Securities and Quantitative Finance (WatRISQ)
- The Deloitte Centre for Tax Education and Research
- The Centre for Advanced Studies in Finance
- Institute for Risk Research
- CMA Centre of Excellence in Management Accounting for SMEs
- WLU Clarica Financial Services Research Centre
- Laurier Centre for the Advancement of Accounting Research and Education
- CMA Centre for Responsible Organizations
- Laurier Centre for Economic Research and Policy Analysis (LCERPA)
- Centre for Strategic Leadership
Quick Facts
- Over 19,000 people are employed in the Region’s Finance & Insurance sector
- UW has largest number of statisticians and actuarial scientists in Canada and worldwide-provide #1 talent pool for insurance and financial business
- The sector ranks as a top 5 economic driver in Waterloo Region
- Contributed over $3.5 billion and ranked 4th in revenue generated in the Region in 2007
- Compose about 7% of the total number of business in Kitchener CMA
- Waterloo Region was ranked the 3rd highest in percentage of its labour force employed in finance and insurance in 2007, only behind Toronto and London.
- For two years in a row (2008, 2009), the World Economic Forum has ranked the Canadian Banking system as the soundest in the world.
- Four Canadian Banks are among the top 10 in North America.
- It’s not a risk for International finance & insurance companies to establish operations in Waterloo Region.
We’re looking forward to hearing from you…connect with us!
For Business Professional Services, Information Communications + Technology (ICT), and Manufacturing please contact Bill Elliot at bill@techtriangle.com or 519.747.2541 ext. 201.
For Cleantech and Health + Life Sciences please contact Catharine Gerhard at catharine@techtriangle.com or 519.747.2541 ext. 202.
Want to find out more online? Check out the following pages on our website:
‹‹ Return to Top
Partner Profile - MFX Partners
 MFX Partners is a diverse mix, of smart, passionate, creative, adventurous people. We’re an award-winning design and innovation firm that thrives on creating pathways to solutions and tackling the world’s problems. We’re fully collaborative, meaning we work together with our clients – from concept through to fulfillment – challenging the norm and delivering practical, original solutions
| CTT is delighted that MFX Partners has come on board as a new Emerald partner. We look forward to the exciting opportunities this partnership presents to our organization. |
CTT is very pleased to announce that Research In Motion now supports CTT Inc as a Silver level Partner.
If you would like to join RIM and other leading firms as a partner in our work, please contact Anne Lukin, Manager, Strategic Relationships at 519-747-2541 ext. 102 or anne@techtriangle.com. Many thanks to our Corporate Partners listed below!
Partner News
Laurier hosts 120 high school students for First Nations lacrosse game - September 30, 2010
Wilfrid Laurier University
Gold Medal MIN - September 30, 2010
Waterloo Region Manufacturing Innovation Network
RIM Unveils the Blackberry PlayBook - September 27, 2010
Research In Motion
TWFP Announces Location of New Corporate Office - September 17, 2010
Walter Fedy Partnership
Our Municipal Partners
Our Corporate Partners
Gold
Emerald
Silver
Bronze
Entreprenuer
Alliance
Community
‹‹ Return to Top
Canada's Technology Triangle Inc is the not-for-profit, public-private regional economic development partnership marketing Waterloo Region to the world. Its mandate is to attract new businesses, investment and talent, while promoting regional economic growth.
The organization works closely with the Economic Development Departments of its partner municipalities, member-based business organizations and the four post-secondary educational institutions. The area known as Canada’s Technology Triangle includes Waterloo Region, the cities of Cambridge, Kitchener and Waterloo and the townships of North Dumfries, Wellesley, Wilmot and Woolwich.
260 King Street West, 3rd Floor, Kitchener, ON N2G 1B6 | 519-747-2541 | info@techtriangle.com. |