Mid-year update: From Strategy to results

Khawar Nasim, CEO, Invest Ontario

In January, I offered an outlook on the forces shaping the year ahead: geopolitical uncertainty, trade and supply chain disruptions, accelerating technology and increasingly selective investment decisions. For good or bad, these issues have materialized and we have responded accordingly.

Indeed, Ontario has made great strides against this backdrop, landing projects across the province in our areas of traditional strength: manufacturing, life sciences and technology. But perhaps what is most exciting has been our ability to adapt to new areas of opportunity including agri-food, defence, modular housing and critical minerals.

Among these “new” sectors, agri-food stands out as exemplary of the momentum we are building.

In a world where supply chains and food security are challenged, the ability to grow, process, package and distribute food closer to home is both strategic and economic. Ontario has the ingredients global and homegrown companies need: a strong agricultural base, a highly skilled workforce, manufacturing expertise and access to clean, reliable energy.

To date, we have translated those advantages into more than $1.2 billion in investments, which are expected to create over 1,000 new jobs in the sector. That includes Ferrero’s expansion in Brantford, Chapman's investment at its Markdale headquarters, Lee Li’s beverage manufacturing operations in Mississauga and Sunrise Farms’ Woodstock poultry facility.

Together, these projects create opportunities for farmers, suppliers, equipment providers and logistics firms. They help ensure more Ontario-made food products reach shelves across Canada and beyond. And they show how supporting a strategic sector can contribute directly to supply chain resilience and long-term competitiveness.

Another area where I find pride is the evolution of our Agency in terms of the services we provide for investors.

While funding remains an important tool that ensures our competitiveness in landing projects, we are finding that companies are placing greater import on talent, energy and predictability. We have all that and more.

In the past quarter, we announced projects such as Ostia Sciences, Pharmacosmos and ZS – investments secured without direct financial support from Invest Ontario. These companies chose Ontario for significant expansions, supported by tailored advisory services, site selection, market intelligence, ecosystem connections and more.

Our dedicated Site Selection team helps companies assess locations, navigate regulatory requirements and ensure infrastructure readiness. We work with municipalities, utilities and service providers, connecting clients with the right partners to meet their operational needs. In many cases, reducing complexity and accelerating timelines can be just as valuable as financial incentives.

These wins once again demonstrate an important part of our value proposition: Invest Ontario is a one-window, full-service partner for companies making complex decisions in a competitive environment.

At the halfway point of 2026, I am optimistic: our pipeline of projects is strong and varied; we are seeing results from our expanded sectors; and our investor services model is making a measurable difference as we help companies land and grow here.

Ontario is well positioned because our fundamentals are strong. But fundamentals alone are not enough. We need to keep moving at the pace of business, keep working across government and industry, and keep aligning our efforts around investments that matter most for Ontario’s future.

Onwards and upwards!