Ontario Supports Innovation and Job Creation in the Life Sciences Sector

The Voice of Canada News:

The Ontario government welcomes the decision by Roche to invest $500 million over five years to establish a Global Pharma Technical Operations site to oversee its global supply chain in Mississauga. This investment is expected to create 500 jobs ― 200 by the end of 2020 and up to 300 more by the end of 2023. It will enhance Ontario’s competitiveness and leadership in the life sciences sector.

The announcement was made by Premier Doug Ford, Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, and Ronnie Miller, President and CEO of Roche Pharmaceuticals, Canada.

“This investment is further proof that Ontario has the best environment for jobs and opportunity, and that we are leaders in the creation of life-saving medicines, treatments, and medical equipment,” said Premier Ford. “Roche’s new operation hub in Mississauga will further anchor Ontario’s position as a titan in life sciences, creating good-paying jobs in the community, and ensuring Ontario’s best and brightest minds advance the important work Roche does to transform health care here in our province and beyond.”

The Global Pharma Technical Operations site will be responsible for supporting Hoffmann-La Roche Limited’s global manufacturing and supply chain operations, including monitoring safety, quality and distribution of pharmaceutical products shipped around the world. In 2012, Roche Canada established Mississauga as a Product Development Site, overseeing clinical trials both in Canada and globally. The success of this site, along with Ontario’s highly skilled science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) workforce, world-class colleges and universities and competitive business environment, saw the province win out over 12 international locations and Roche sites to secure this new investment, while positioning the province for future opportunities.

“Ontario is home to leading-edge research institutions, we have a top tier STEM workforce, and our life science and innovation sectors are amongst the best in the world,” said Minister Fedeli. “We are proud that Roche has expressed confidence in our province and selected Ontario as the home for their new site. This will mean 500 new well-paying jobs and will further bolster Ontario’s competitiveness in the life sciences sector.”

The human health life sciences sector plays a critical role in the province’s economy, providing 66,000 skilled, high-paying jobs and generating more than $53.2 billion annually in revenue. The government is working with life sciences partners to further unlock the potential of the sector through the development of a Life Sciences Strategy to harness initiatives and commitments, including health care procurement reform and data modernization.

Through the Better for People, Smarter for Business Act, the government is further reducing regulatory burdens and encouraging investment in the life sciences sector by allowing businesses to write off in-year capital costs on new equipment and delivering on the government’s commitment to cut corporate income taxes through the $3.8 billion Ontario Job Creation Investment Incentive.

“This significant investment in Ontario by Roche will help build and strengthen our province as a whole,” said Minister Elliott. “Today’s announcement is good news for Ontarians as we work towards economic recovery and demonstrates opportunities to work together and find innovative ways to strengthen our health care system.”

In order to position Ontario as a top tier destination for job-creating investment, the government has established Invest Ontario, a new investment agency that will be a “one stop shop” for targeting investors, with an initial focus on advanced manufacturing, life sciences, and technology.Invest Ontario will bring a private-sector approach to business development and build on the many benefits of Ontario, including: a high quality of life, world-class education and research institutions, a highly skilled workforce, a strong and growing innovation sector, and being a jurisdiction that is squarely focused on reducing red tape and lowering the cost of doing business.

“Ontario was selected for this investment based on a strong competitive business environment, exceptional talent pool, and a government committed to fostering growth in the sector,” said Ronnie Miller. “We applaud the hard work done by the Government of Ontario and the Premier’s Office to foster a business environment that can compete internationally to attract investment opportunities, and Roche’s commitment to add up to 500 specialized positions is a direct result of these positive changes.”

Roche is the world’s largest biotech company and a world leader in oncology, immunology, infectious diseases, ophthalmology and diseases of the central nervous system. Founded in 1931, Roche Canada employs more than 1,800 people across the country through its Pharmaceuticals division in Mississauga, Ontario, and Diagnostics as well as Diabetes Care divisions in Laval, Quebec.

Quick Facts

• Ontario is the largest life sciences jurisdiction in Canada, generating 57 per cent of the overall Canadian revenue and employing 54 per cent of all of Canada’s life sciences personnel.
• In 2017, Ontario’s life sciences sector generated more than $53.2 billion in revenue.
• The human health life sciences sector employs 66,000 people in Ontario, with a yearly payroll of about $5 billion.
• In 2018, Ontario’s life sciences sector exported about $9.7 billion in goods, representing 65 per cent of total Canadian life sciences exports.
• Ontario has approximately 1,900 life sciences firms ― 44 per cent of Canada’s total.
• Each year, about 50,000 students graduate from STEM programs from Ontario’s colleges and universities. The province is working towards the goal of graduating over 70,000 students a year from STEM programs by 2025.