100 Days In — Agility: Our Winning Edge

Khawar Nasim, CEO, Invest Ontario

In times of economic uncertainty, strategy is not just about survival. It’s about meeting the challenge with a vision that transforms adversity into opportunity.

A hundred days ago, I took the helm of Invest Ontario as we saw an unprecedented change to the economic model. The Ontario we had “grown up” and operated in had been irrevocably changed. Invest Ontario responded by stepping up to the challenge, adjusting our model and finding new means to support our province’s economic growth and stability.

From the many conversations I’ve had over the past few months — with clients, CEOs, partners — there is one clear takeaway: the appetite for growth remains strong, and so does the appetite for investing in Ontario.

In this volatile environment, investors long for predictability and a strong partner who can help bring their ambitions to life. Invest Ontario continues to be that partner. The proof is in Ontario’s robust investment pipeline: we’re the #1 state/province in North America for greenfield investment by project count, according to the fDi Report 2025. This reflects not only our province’s stability and competitive advantages, but also how Invest Ontario plays a key role in converting potential into success.

We know that investors need more than just a great location. Investors need a partner who can match their pace and respond to change quickly, especially at a time when supply chains and market dynamics are in flux.

Invest Ontario’s agility and ability to respond to opportunity have been a hallmark of our success and will continue to be at the core of our business model as we adapt to this new playing field.

Take Roche, as an example, which we supported to bring its Global Informatics Hub to Ontario. What could have been a multi-year process took place in months thanks to Invest Ontario’s leading approach. In the words of Brigitte Nolet, President and CEO of Roche Canada Pharmaceuticals, the investment occurred in “record speed” for a company of their size. Or as another client, Asahi Kasei, once put it, “Invest Ontario is a solutions provider that can break down any barriers or roadblocks to get to ‘yes’.”

There is no secret or shortcut to outcomes like these. It takes responsive client service, collaborative partners, streamlined operations and a robust framework to evaluate, structure and execute sophisticated deals with both rigour and speed. But above all, it requires a nimble, results-driven team to deliver. This approach has enabled us to simplify the investment process, tailor creative solutions for clients and achieve record turnaround times on complex projects.

This same flexibility has also allowed us to pivot strategically and capture opportunities in new sectors and markets, continuing to deliver concrete results for the province as industry landscapes and economic priorities shift.

Since our inception just four years ago, Invest Ontario has announced more than $7.5 billion in investments that are creating over 9,500 jobs across the province. These numbers don’t just reflect our achievements — they represent supply chain gaps being filled, new technologies and life-saving medicines being developed, regional economies being strengthened, and people stepping into roles that build meaningful careers.

For me, this work is deeply personal. As an Ontarian raised in an immigrant family, I understand how transformative these opportunities can be for individuals and communities, and how important it is that we continue to create them, especially today.

The government has recognized our momentum, so we’ve been entrusted to do more. But as the Agency continues to grow and evolve, my priority as CEO is to maintain the same agility that has underpinned our success to date.

Looking ahead, we’re extending our expertise into sectors such as food processing, defence and modular housing. We’re diversifying our international reach, while enhancing our support for homegrown businesses that drive innovation in our ecosystem. Staying nimble and adaptive will be vital to securing new opportunities in this dynamic and competitive landscape.

Challenges will remain, but the opportunity before us is immense and exciting. We are fortunate to have a resilient province and business community, ambitious clients, and a broad network of partners across government and industry on our side. Most importantly, with great opportunity comes a responsibility to nourish the team tasked with delivering.

As CEO, I want to thank the Invest Ontario team. I am fiercely proud of your leadership, your commitment and your hard work. Every day I am truly humbled and inspired by everyone driving success and progress at our Agency. While the economic landscape has shifted, we remain steadfast in our commitment: to deliver measurable impact for Ontario, model the leadership our people and partners deserve, and pursue an ambition that meets the moment.