St. Lawrence Corridor Economic Development Commission Collaborates with Associate Minister of Small Business

The St. Lawrence Corridor Region is a recognized hub for innovation and is home to world-class biochemical companies. Our organization is committed to create quality jobs, strengthen the regional economy and position Eastern Ontario to be a global centre for talent, innovation and investments in the bioindustrial manufacturing sector. As we continue the development and implementation of a biochemical manufacturing strategy for the St. Lawrence Corridor region – a plan that intends to increase our global competitiveness and create high value quality jobs in science and engineering – today we met with Hon. Prabmeet Singh Sarkaria, Associate Minister of Small Business & Red Tape Reduction. We appreciated his insights into Ontario’s plan for economic zones, his enthusiasm, and his understanding of the importance of STEM jobs for this part of the province. The meeting with he and his Chief of Staff, David Donovan, allowed us to share our vision for the biochemical sector and provided a platform to share ideas and cross germinate possible solutions to those challenges facing the region.

With 40% of the country’s total biochemical production, Ontario is at the centre of Canada’s chemical manufacturing industry. The sector exports just over $13 billion worth of goods and produces almost $19 billion in shipments. Most of the activity takes place in three key regions: Sarnia-Lambton, Greater Toronto Area and Eastern Ontario. Eastern Ontario’s bio-hybrid chemicals cluster is quickly evolving and we have a number of emerging firms considering locating in the region. Moreover, our industrial biochemical value chain comprises agriculture and forestry biomass supply, grain, corn and soybean mills, midstream biorefineries and biofuel processors; as well as biomaterial manufacturers – all creating a rich environment for new manufacturers looking for a competitive area to launch their products and services from. We will continue to work towards creating an environment that positions us as a global leader in bio-hybrid chemical manufacturing and are looking forward to collaborating with the Province of Ontario to advance this critical economic strategy.