MITC-Markham-Trade

Establishing Your Business in Markham A preliminary guide to: n accessing Canadian business or consumer markets n opening Canadian offices, manufacturing or R&D facilities n connecting with Canadian business contacts or partners

Markham Civic Centre – Photo: Shutterstock

A publication of the Markham International Trade Centre Where in the world is Markham?

Index: Page Markham, Ontario, Canada coordinates: Where are we? 2 latitude: 43.856098 Establishing Your Business... 3 longitude: -79.337021 Forging Economic Alliances 4 Outbound Trade Advisory Service 4 Inbound Trade Advisory Services 5 Why Markham? 7 Work Force 9 Lifestyle 10 Additional Resources 11 About MITC 12

Establishing Your Business in Markham

Photo: Harold Stiver / Shutterstock.com

This overview highlights key points relevant to foreign-based businesses considering establishing offices, or facilities, in Markham, Ontario, Canada. It also addresses establishing trade partnerships with businesses operating in Markham.

The Markham International Trade Centre was established to... Connect Local Markham Business With The Global Market and Help International Businesses Establish Operations In Canada

Our Clients Want To: n Access Canadian Business or Consumer Markets n Open Canadian offices, manufacturing or R&D facilities n Connect with Canadian business contacts or partners

Our Mission is to support international economic expansion by providing three key services:

1. Forging Economic Alliances 2. Providing Inbound Trade Advisory Services 3. Providing Outbound Trade Advisory Services Contact us to find out how we can help you achieve your business goals .

1 Forging Economic Alliances

At the Markham International Trade Centre, our commitment to connecting Markham-based companies with foreign enterprises pursuing aligned business goals in economically advantageous locations has produced: n Eleven International Friendship Cities n Three Sister Cities n Multiple International Alliances n Numerous Agreements In Progress

2 Outbound Trade Advisory Services

At the Markham International Trade Centre, our expert support equips Markham-based businesses with the knowledge and contacts they need to grow beyond Canadian borders.

Our Local Business Clients Want To: n Access business or consumer markets outside Canada n Leverage the advantages of international R&D and/or manufacturing n Meet industry peers and / or support professionals in a variety of global locations to build a valuable network of international connections

Opportunities For Markham-Based Businesses Exist In The Following International Industry Sectors: n Information and Communications Technology (ICT) n Life sciences, Health Care, Bio-Tech, Pharmaceuticals n Entertainment, Animation Contact us to find out how we can help n Design and Engineering, Green-Tech you achieve your business goals n Professional Scientific Services n Education n Manufacturing, Production and Packaging And many more

The Markham International Trade Centre's Inbound Trade Advisory Services connect international businesses with local enterprises. Our expert support also helps foreign-based businesses assess Canadian market opportunities and establish operations in Canada.

Our International Business Clients Want To: n Access Canadian and US Business and/or Consumer Markets n Build trading partnerships with Canadian manufacturers and / or raw materials producers n Open local offices and / or manufacturing facilities to leverage local advantages n Invest in new or established Canadian operations n Gain access to shared office space, corporate board rooms, local real estate, legal, accounting and immigration resources

We have facilitated numerous international business connections, alliances and partnerships with Canadian businesses in the following industries/sectors:

Health Care, Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals:

We have connected Canadian pharmaceutical companies with: n Asia’s largest marine biological and biopharmaceutical production organization; exporting: Collagen, Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate. n The world’s largest Alginate Manufacturer / Seaweed Processing Pioneer; exporting: Seaweed-based Chemicals, Pharmaceuticals, Health Foods and Fertilizers. n The world’s largest integrated health product provider of: Medical instruments and pharmaceuticals. n A global science-based health and nutrition producer of: Food and dietary supplements, pharmaceuticals, If your foreign-based business shares and medical devices. these goals, contact us to learn how n A major Asian manufacturer of: IV Solutions, we can help you achieve them. Medical Capsules and Syrups.

We have connected Canadian educational institutions, ESL students and travel agencies with...

n An Asian tech company: Multimedia Education Aids n Highly educated teachers: Grades 1 to 9 n International Studies Camps and Educational Exchange Programs

Research & Technology:

We have facilitated trade deals between Canadian Tech companies, Government Agencies and foreign-based businesses offering: n Tech Pricing Systems, Outsourcing Services and Products in E-government, Management, Information Processing, Medicine, and more. n Large Vehicle Batteries n LED Lighting Products n Deep Sea Research

Production & Packaging:

We have opened doors to trade between Canadian production and packaging companies and 20% of the global market in:

n Aluminum Foil: Household, Pharmacy, Food Soft Packing, etc. n Tire Recycling and Processing (into new tires) n Solar Energy, Heat Preservation, Construction, Electrical and Automotive Industry Products, such as: Blend Polyol, Pre-polymer, Paving Materials, and Water-borne Polyurethane.

Markham is Canada’s most diverse community and its newest urban city (2012). A municipality of over 355,000 residents, it is centrally located in the Greater Toronto area and home to many of Canada’s leading life science and technology businesses. Also a leader in environmental and urban design, in 2010, Markham received the Canada Award for Excellence, Silver for outstanding achievements in quality, customer service, and a healthy workplace. Markham boasts a rich history, a vibrant city centre and well planned residential neighborhoods, recreational centers, parks, trails and golf courses.

The City of Markham Offers:

n Easy access* to major US and Canadian cities from Quebec City (NE) to Chicago (SW) to Washington DC (S) *1.5 hours by air / 8 - 10 hours by road n A diverse, affluent and rapidly growing population of over 355,000 n Inviting residential neighborhoods and multiple recreational facilities n A vibrant city centre with numerous restaurants and local entertainment venues

Known as ‘Tech City’ in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) Markham is home to:

The IBM Innovation Space (Markham Convergence Centre). It serves as a 1-stop innovation hub where entrepreneurs and businesses commercialize their technology/business ideas.

VentureLAB. It equips talented entrepreneurs with proven tools and expert mentors to grow innovative, scalable businesses.

Markham Small Business Centre (MSB.) It provides services and programs for Markham entrepreneurs and small businesses.

An impressive number of leading innovators including: IBM, Aviva Insurance, AMD, GM Canada Technical Centre, Bank of China, GE Digital Energy, Honeywell, Huawei Technologies, Lenovo, Johnson & Johnson, Toshiba, Honda and Hyundai.

Copyright © 2020 Markham International Trade Centre Inc. All rights reserved. 7 In addition to having the highest concentration of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) employers, per capita, in Canada, the city of Markham boasts hundreds of thriving companies in the following industries:

Technology Number Of Companies

Computer Systems Design and Related Services 301 Engineering Services 116 Computer, Computer Peripheral and Pre-Packaged Software Wholesaler-Distributors 72 Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance 57 Electronic Components, Navigational and Communications Equipment and Supplies Wholesaler-Distributors 33 Management Consulting Services 32 Wireless Telecommunications Carriers (except Satellite) 27 Software Publishers 26 Research & Development in the Physical, Engineering & Life Sciences 24 Data Processing, Hosting, and Related Services 22 Navigational, Measuring, Medical and Control Instruments 19

Life Sciences Number Of Companies

Professional Machinery, Equipment and Supplies Wholesaler-Distributors 57 Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing 37 Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories 19 Research & Development in the Physical, Engineering and Life Sciences 18 Computer Systems Design and Related Services 17 Pharmaceuticals and Pharmacy Supplies Wholesaler-Distributors 16

Growth Strategies Markham actively seeks and builds economic alliances through a frequent exchange of business missions to and from Asia, the USA and Europe. By reaching out to global markets, our Trade Advisors bring investment into Markham and enable Markham-based businesses to expand internationally. Markham is attractive to companies specializing in ICT, life sciences, financial services, design and engineering, professional scientific services, and information and cultural industries for many reasons.

8 Copyright © 2020 Markham International Trade Centre Inc. All rights reserved. WORKFORCE: Markham boasts a diverse, skilled, highly educated, multilingual labour pool. Our workers earn 10% less Employed 63.6% than the average Ontario total income. Unemployed 7.3%

Our Workforce Education Statistics Residents age breakdown & Mother Tongue Language:

University Degree/Diploma 36% 0 - 19 22.6% English 36% Trade College Diploma/Certificate 21% 20 - 39 24.0% Cantonese 23% High School Diploma/Certificate 26% 60 - 79 17.8% Mandarin 13% 40 - 59 29.0% Tamil 5% Less than High School 17% 80+ 3.4% Persian (Farsi) 2% Urdu 2% Commercial Land / Development / Services: Tagalog (Pilipino), Markham offers an array of commercial land Gujarati, Panjabi, development opportunities, plus an extensive Italian, Korean, Arabic, inventory of premium corporate, retail and Greek, Hindi, Hakka, industrial sites and mixed-used communities. Spanish, Russian and French each Municipal Utilities: account for 1% Services are well established, offer great Other 7% capacity and attractive business rates. BUSINESS TAX RATES: Markham is committed to maintaining the lowest tax rates in the GTA.

2017 Tax Rates (%) COMMERCIAL INDUSTRIAL Toronto 2.52% 2.59% Mississauga 2.02% 2.30% Vaughan 1.68% 1.98% Markham 1.65% 1.93%

Residential Development: The number of residential properties developed, across all categories, is growing every year.

Markham residents enjoy exceptional neighborhoods, health care, schools, parks and recreation facilities. Our city also offers numerous arts, entertainment and heritage sites.

Health Care: Markham Stouffville Hospital (beds) 284 Shouldice Hernia Centre (beds) 89

Schools: Elementary Schools 74 High Schools 15 Community Colleges (within 1 hr drive) 8 Universities (within 1 hr drive) 7

Parks & Recreation: Number of Parks 211 Trails/Pathway System 151 km Public Libraries 8 Community and Cultural Centres & Facilities 36 Golf Courses 9 Ice Arenas 10 pads

Toogood Pond Park, Unionville

Arts & Entertainment: ● Flato Markham Theatre ● Markham Museum ● Varley Art Gallery ● McKay Art Centre

Roads, Highways, Etc.: Public Roads 1233 km Highways (404 and 407) 32 km Sidewalks 1061.5 km Multi Use Paths 27.7 km Cycle Tracks 2.8 km

Transportation Service Providers: n York Region Transit (YRT/Viva) n Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) n GO Transit n CN Rail n 407 ETR n Toronto Buttonville Municipal Airport

Additional Resources and Reference Sources: Websites: www.markham.ca www.business.markham.ca Reference Sources - Markham Economic Profile 2018 Produced by the Economic Growth, Culture and Entrepreneurship Department Markham Demographics 2016 Quick Facts Demographics-Fact Sheet-Markham-City-Wide.pdf

Our mandate is to help local and foreign businesses explore mutually beneficial economic opportunities, connect with suppliers, partners, markets and resources, and leverage market opportunities to thrive!

The Markham International Trade Centre is located in the City’s Civic Centre with easy access to Highways 407, 404, Buttonville Municipal Airport, Pearson International Airport (39 km S/W), and Downtown Toronto (30 km S).

Gordon Landon, known as Markham’s Trade Ambassador, leads the Markham International Trade Centre. An early adopter of international trading, he leveraged opportunities to serve foreign clients and supply chains in the 1970’s and early 1980’s. The longest serving City Councillor in Markham, Gordon was elected to a Ward Councillor seat in 1980 and a Regional Councillor chair in 1988. He served for a total of 31 years before retiring from the Markham Council in 2014.

A Markham resident since 1985, Gordon has seen Markham grow from a small town of 32,000 to a thriving city of over 360,000 that has become a showcase of diversity, technological advancement Gordon Landon, President, MITC and environmental leadership. As the Chair of the Budget Committee and Transportation (in Markham’s Development Services Committee) Gordon has been influential in maintaining low tax rate increases and Contact us improving public transit. Recognized for his community involvement, Mail: Gordon supports fundraising efforts for United Way, Children’s Aid The Markham Civic Centre, Foundation (York Region), and the Markham Mobility Foundation. 101 Town Centre Blvd, Markham, In addition to his involvement in the annual Tony Roman Memorial ON, Canada L3R 9W3 Hockey Tournament, he initiated the Markham Gala for Giving in Telephone: (1) 416-230-6554 2013 as a joint fundraising event to benefit twelve different local Email: non-profit organizations. Gordon's fundraising efforts are among [email protected] the most rewarding of his career. Website: trademarkham.com