Site Selection Assistance
Oshawa offers the right people, connections and opportunities for your business.
Located in the Greater Toronto Area, Oshawa is one of Canada's fastest growing regions and has access to a vast and highly skilled workforce enhanced by our leading-edge educational institutions. Oshawa is a dynamic city with a rich blend of global companies complemented by new innovative entrepreneurs. Industrial lease rates deliver exceptional value, making Oshawa one of the most cost effective cities in the Greater Toronto Area. Supported by excellent future development opportunities, infrastructure and local incentives. Oshawa does not have City Development Charges on industrial developments and downtown developments.
The City of Oshawa's site selection service includes:
- A one-on-one consultation to learn about your needs
- Information about the community and relevant properties
- An inventory of vacant land for opportunities
- Arranging site visits
- Providing custom research
- Introductions to local businesses
- Introductions to business support organizations
- Information about relevant government programs to help you grow your business
For site selection assistance, please email Business and Economic Development Services
Quick Facts
- Located along the north shore of Lake Ontario, the City of Oshawa is the largest urban municipality in Durham Region and is the eastern gateway to the Greater Toronto Area (G.T.A.).
- Oshawa's population currently is 172,000 and is forecasted to increase to 200,000 by 2031.
- Oshawa companies draw from 1.2 million workers within a 45 minute commute.
- Companies in Oshawa have quick and convenient access to Canada's largest consumer market of more than five million people and are located within a day's drive of more than 120 million Canadian and American consumers.
- Oshawa achieved nearly $500 million in development activity in 2020.
Access to Markets
Modes of Transportation |
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Oshawa companies are well-positioned for inbound and outbound global shipping needs as it offers:
Commuting into Oshawa is very convenient with the following shared transportation options:
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Distance to Markets |
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Oshawa is ideally situated on Highway 401, only 60 km from Downtown Toronto, with easy connections to multiple U.S.A. border crossings into New York, Michigan and Minnesota, Oshawa offers superior access to the U.S.A.
Distance to Major Borders
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Major Economic Sectors
Oshawa's Sector Strategy was developed to reflect the city's evolving economic landscape and to set directions for economic development initiatives. Throughout a number of community and business consultations, the study revealed four key sectors in Oshawa that are positioned with high potential for growth.
Advanced Manufacturing |
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Advanced manufacturing has ushered in new methods of production of goods and services using computer-controlled and micro-electronics-based equipment, including CAD design, robots and automated storage systems. Increased innovation and technological adoption now involves new manufacturing processes that encompass innovative technologies such as 3D printing, machine learning and cybersecurity. Assets
Key Companies
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Health and Biosciences |
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Oshawa is home to a new and emerging health cluster. The city is a centre of excellence in healthcare and a regional hub for education, training and clinical research activity. The health and biosciences sector encompasses a variety of businesses including medical research, the development of pharmaceuticals, digital health, precision medicine, development and manufacturing of medical health devices with technological elements such as artificial intelligence, and the healthcare system itself. The health and biosciences industry generates significant economic growth annually, representing 11% of Canada's annual G.D.P. and accounting for over 11,000 jobs in Oshawa. Queen's Family Medicine ProgramThe Queen's University Family Medicine program at Lakeridge Health was established in 2012 and is the newest of four teaching sites for Queen's University family medicine residents. Clinical Faculty describe Oshawa as a “sweet spot” in Southeast Ontario due its equidistant proximity to Toronto and cottage country. Assets
Key Companies
With a single payer healthcare system in Ontario, Oshawa offers significant cost savings to your business. |
Multimodal Transportation and Logistics |
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Oshawa is one of few cities that can boast an airport, rail lines, a regional deep-sea port and major highways, all within close proximity. Companies appreciate that the deep-sea port's loading dock is located 2 km/1.2 mi from Highway 401. With the completion of a rail spur, the Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority is truly intermodal, and able to respond to the growing demands of current and prospective port clients. Employing over 300, the Port handles an annual $23 million of cargo, from salt and steel products to asphalt and grain. Assets
Key Companies
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Information Technology |
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Information Technology includes goods and services that process, transmit or receive information. These are technologies related to software, hardware, computer services, telecommunications, and microelectronics. I.T. is prevalent in e-commerce, e-learning, e-health, wireless multimedia and digital entertainment, in addition to emerging technologies such artificial intelligence. Global Cyberlympics Assets
Key Companies
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Major Employers
Private Sector |
Public Sector |
Post-Secondary Institutions
Oshawa is home to three leading post-secondary institutions with nearly 25,000 students.
Ontario Tech University |
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With two campuses in Oshawa, Ontario Tech is a modern, forwarding-thinking university that advances the discovery and application of knowledge to accelerate economic growth, regional development and social innovation. Researchers, students and graduates are inspired and equipped to make a positive impact in a tech-focused world through understanding and integrating the social and ethical implications of technology. With seven faculties, more than 10,000 students in over 115 programs, the STEM-focused university houses more than 80 specialized research laboratories and facilities. |
Durham College |
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With campuses in Oshawa and Whitby, Durham College (D.C.) offers over 11,400 full-time students access to more than 140 post-secondary programs, including four honours bachelor degrees and nine apprenticeship programs. Applied research at D.C. – facilitated by the Office of Research Services, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (ORSIE) and its five research centres – solves business and social challenges through innovation and collaboration by engaging industry, faculty, students and the community-at-large in research projects to address the needs of a technology-driven knowledge economy. |
Trent University Durham |
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The Oshawa campus of Trent University opened in 2010, building upon 40 years of presence in Durham Region. With 2000 students enrolled annually, the campus offers Bachelor of Arts and Science degrees, post-graduate certificates and master's programs. The campus focuses on the needs of business management and community health and wellness, offering community-based research to their partners. Trent University Durham GTA (Trent U Durham) is renowned for the innovative and ground-breaking research conducted by faculty and students, on campus and around the world. |
Recruitment
Locally, resources are available to assist companies in accessing skilled professionals across various industry specialties. From facilitating links to specialized post-secondary programming to candidate pre-screening, job fairs and training cost incentives – organizations in Oshawa and Durham Region are available to help streamline connections to the right talent.
Talent Recruitment Service Providers |