Ontario’s economy closed 2024 with a strong performance, adding 23,000 jobs in December, according to Statistics Canada. This brings the total number of jobs created in the province over the year to more than 200,000, positioning Ontario as a key driver of Canada’s economic growth despite global challenges.
Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, attributed the province’s economic resilience to targeted government initiatives and investments in high-growth sectors such as automotive, life sciences, technology, and advanced manufacturing.
“Despite an uncertain global economy in 2024, Ontario remained the economic engine of Canada,” Fedeli said in a statement. “Through targeted investments in skills training, critical infrastructure projects, and measures to keep costs down for people and businesses, our government remained focused on supporting Ontario families and workers.”
Fedeli highlighted major investments by global companies, including Hitachi Rail, Roche Canada, Goodyear Canada, and Asahi Kasei, as evidence of the province’s success in attracting billions of dollars in capital and creating thousands of jobs.
The province’s Regional Development Program also contributed significantly to job creation, with over $85 million invested in 60 local companies and organizations in eastern and southwestern Ontario. These investments leveraged over $815 million in total funding and created more than 1,500 jobs.
Looking ahead, Fedeli underscored the government’s commitment to fostering an environment conducive to investment and growth, emphasizing collaboration with the United States on key issues such as trade, resource development, and energy security.
“As we continue to face global uncertainty and a new administration in the White House, our government is going to continue to create the environment to attract more investments, better jobs, and bigger paycheques,” he said.
The province’s efforts aim to sustain Ontario’s momentum as a leader in job creation and economic development into 2025 and beyond.
