Economic
Review
2013
“
When I ask innovative business leaders why
they choose to locate in Halton, I hear a
common theme:
high quality of life.
Employees are a business’ most valuable
asset and Halton is where employees want
to live. Our business friendly environment,
top notch infrastructure and highly educated
workforce are truly Halton’s advantage.”
– Gary Carr, Halton Region Chair
2
Message from the Regional Chair
3
Halton Region at a Glance
4
Economic Activity
7
Halton Development Activity and Real Estate Market Summary
16
Halton Employment Lands
18
Halton’s Competitive Position
25
Halton Region Economic Development Services
28
Halton Region Economic Development Team
Message from
Regional Chair
Gary Carr
On behalf of Halton Regional Council, I am
pleased to present Halton Region’s 2013
Economic Review. This comprehensive
annual publication presents an overview
of business investments in Halton
Region, while highlighting how the
Region is performing from an economic
development standpoint and how it
compares to other regions across the
Greater Golden Horseshoe area.
Halton Region
will continue
to support its
vibrant business
community.
This past year had some challenges and
many opportunities. I am pleased to report
that working with staff, Regional Council
and our Local Municipalities, we have
made the most of our opportunities and
have delivered some impressive results,
including:
• Achieving a triple-A credit rating for
more than 20 consecutive years;
• Delivering value to the taxpayer by
either freezing or reducing taxes for
the last eight years, while enhancing
and maintaining service levels;
• Remaining the safest regional
municipality in Canada for the fifth
consecutive year;
• Creating a confident business
outlook, with 91% of businesses
surveyed anticipating economic
conditions in Halton to improve or
remain the same; and
• Investing $289 million in our 2013
capital budget for roads–our largest
investment ever.
In 2013, Halton reached a 4.7%
unemployment rate, far below Halton’s
five year average of 5.4% and significantly
lower than the rest of the GTA and Ontario.
Businesses, such as Toronto Premium
Outlets Mall, Gypsum Technologies,
Amazon.com, UPS Canada and Lowes
Canada, opened their doors in Halton
creating more than 925 new jobs. Ford
Motor Company’s announcement in
September that it is investing $700 million
at its Oakville assembly complex secured
another 2,800 jobs.
Businesses want to be in Halton. Whether
it’s a professional office, manufacturing
facility or distribution warehouse,
Halton offers the right mix of low taxes,
competitive business costs, proximity
to market, talent availability and quality
of life.
Again and again, businesses articulate that
they choose to locate in Halton because of
the Region’s high quality of life. Employees
are a business’ most valuable asset and
Halton is the place their employees want
to live. By continuing to plan for today and
tomorrow, Halton Region will continue to
support its vibrant business community.
If you have any questions or comments,
feel free to contact us by dialing 311 or by
emailing me at [email protected].
You can also find me on Twitter @
garycarrhalton, LinkedIn or Facebook.
I encourage you to take a look at our
strategy, learn more about Halton Region’s
economy and why Halton is such a great
place to live, work, raise a family and retire.
Gary Carr,
Regional Chair
2 Halton Economic Review 2013
Halton Region at a Glance
967
Population Growth
Diverse Communities
(thousands)
Origin of newcomers to Halton 2011
Sq km
Land Area
518,000
Population*
753
7%
624
518
2013
2021
(forecast)
2031
(forecast)
Asia
Europe
(thousands)
328
Industrial & Commercial
Development
Building permit value (millions)
266
2013
$415
2021
2031
(forecast) (forecast)
$338
$178
2000
(over age 25)
2013
Safest Region in Canada
5 consecutive years
64%
65%
74%
canada
Ontario
Halton
Thousand Average
Housing Price*
*2013
2006
Post-Secondary
Education
million Gross
Capital Budget*
$581
Other
Employment
390
$965
Americas
Africa
Median Age
Million Gross
Operating Budget*
22%
47%
23%
39.3
$757
1%
Average Household
Income
#1
Natural Beauty
(thousands, 2010)
$79
$86
$119
canada
Ontario
Halton
261
13
conservation
parks
Sq km
green space
26
KM of
waterfront
Halton Economic Review 2013 3
Halton Region’s
unemployment
rate is well
below the GTA
and provincial
averages.
Unemployment
Rate
(Averages, 2013)
4.7%
Halton
8.1%
GTA
7.5%
Ontario
Economic Activity
International
The international economy strengthened in 2013 as world trade picked up during the
second half of the year and advanced economies saw upward growth due to higher
inventory demand and exports rebounded in emerging markets. The International
Monetary Fund predicts global growth will advance to 3.7% in 2014 and rise to 3.9% in
2015. This is a strong rebound from the 3.0% world output of 2013, which was mainly
reached through the 4.7% output of emerging economies as opposed to the slower 1.3%
growth recorded in advanced economies.
Canada
The Canadian labour market saw only modest growth in 2013, amounting to one of the
slowest annual employment growth rates since 2009. Overall, employment grew by 0.6%
in 2013, amounting to an increase of 102,000 workers. The participation rate also dropped
to 66.4% in December as the labour force grew at a slower pace than the population.
In 2013, employment growth occurred in professional, scientific and technical services
(+6.7%) and natural resources (+5.7%). Job losses occurred in agriculture (-4.5%),
educational services (-3.3%), public administration (-3.1%) and manufacturing (-2.3%). The
unemployment rate in Canada in 2013 was 7.1%, down from 7.3% in 2012.
Ontario
Ontario’s economy has continued to perform well. Ontario has recovered from
recessionary job losses and employment is now above the pre-recession peak. More than
475,000 jobs have been created since the recessionary low in June 2009 and there are
currently over 200,000 more jobs since the pre-recession peak. Job creation in Ontario
has outpaced that of the rest of Canada, the United States and all of the Great Lake States.
Real gross domestic product (GDP), has increased 8.9% since the end of the recession and
is over 3% higher than its pre-recession level highlighting Ontario’s strong investment
environment and continued growth.
Five Year Unemployment Rate Trends, 2008-2013
Five Year Unemployment Rate Trends, 2008-2013
12
10
Rate (%)
8
6
4
Halton
2009
Halton Average (5.4%)
Dec
Jun
Sep
Dec
Mar
Jun
2012
Greater Toronto Area
Source: Statistics Canada, Labour Force Survey, January 2014
4 Halton Economic Review 2013
Sep
Dec
2011
Mar
Jun
Sep
Dec
2010
Mar
Jun
Sep
Dec
Mar
Jun
Sep
Dec
2008
Mar
Jun
Sep
0
Mar
2
2013
Ontario
Halton Business
Confidence
Halton Region
Halton’s economy continued to demonstrate strong growth throughout 2013, albeit at
a more subdued pace than last year’s record-breaking growth levels. Total construction
values as reported by the local municipalities, dropped back 25% over last year to just over
$1.6 billion in 2013. Between 2010 and 2013, however, development activity in Halton has
seen remarkable growth, surging 17% from 2010 levels.
Coinciding with this investment has been a similar rise in entrepreneurial activity as the
number of businesses in Halton has expanded 18% since 2010. Business conditions have
also proven favourable for the Halton business community, as business bankruptcies have
dropped 28% between 2010 and 2013.
91%
anticipate economic conditions in
Halton will improve or remain the
same over the next 12 months.
~50%
Five Year Halton Business Bankruptcy Trends, 2008-2013
40
Number of Bankruptcies
The inaugural Halton Region
Pulse on Business Conditions
Survey asked existing Haltonbased businesses to comment on
their perceptions of Halton as a
place to do business.
expect increased profits over the
next 12 months.
35
30
31%
25
20
15
plan on hiring additional staff over
the next 12 months.
10
5
0
I
II III IV I
II III IV I
II III IV I
II III IV I
II III IV I
II III IV I
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
Halton Business Bankruptcy
2014
Bankruptcy Trendline Forecast
>50%
of businesses with expansion plans
intend to expand in Halton.
Source: Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy Canada.
Source: Halton Region Business Conditions Survey,
conducted in Fall 2013. n=300
Halton’s labour and work forces were equally strong in 2013. The unemployment rate in
Halton was 4.7% in 2013, which is below its longer term average of 5.4% and significantly
lower than unemployment levels in the wider Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and Ontario
(8.1% and 7.5%, respectively). At the same time, however, Halton has a steady decline in the
percentage of residents participating in the labour force, dropping from 76.1% in 2010 to
71.5% in 2013.
The health of the Halton economy can also be seen in the substantial decline in the
average number of residents receiving employment insurance benefits. Since 2010, there
has been a 31% reduction in employment insurance beneficiaries in Halton. Halton Ontario
Works caseloads have also been dropping over the period, with an 11% fall in caseloads
between 2010 and 2013.
Halton Economic Review 2013 5
Halton Since 2010
7.5%
Population
Halton Economic Indicators
2010
Total Population1
Population Density
(per sq km)2
Number of Businesses
8.7%
Occupied Dwelling
Units
12.2%
Average House Price
48.8%
Housing Sales
31.2%
EI Beneficiaries
10.8%
Ontario Works
Caseloads
6 Halton Economic Review 2013
2012
2010/2013 %
or pp change
2013
482,206
493,045
505,678
518,311
↑ 7.5%
499
510
523
536
↑ 7.4%
5.5%
6.1%
5.5%
4.7%
↓ 0.8pp
3
76.1%
73.6%
72.6%
71.5%
↓ 4.6pp
Employment Rate
Unemployment Rate3
19.0%
2011
Participation Rate
71.9%
69.2%
68.6%
68.1%
↓ 3.8pp
Employment
Insurance
Beneficiaries4
6,128
4,752
4,134
4,217
↓ 31.2%
Halton Ontario Works
Average Caseload5
2,154
2,229
2,078
1,921
↓ 10.8%
244,026
250,932
258,444
265,956
↑ 9.0%
10,674
12,120
12,211
12,701*
↑ 19.0%
58
62
42
42
↓ 27.6%
$1,387,502,513 $1,449,190,052 $2,177,546,943 $1,624,074,408
↑ 17.1%
3
Total ICI
Employment1
Number of
Businesses6
Business
Bankruptcies7
Total Construction
Value8
Industrial
$86,210,220
$43,627,285
$193,392,964
$89,287,008
↑ 3.6%
Commercial
$134,380,619
$232,625,967
$279,667,851
$240,796,189
↑ 79.2%
Institutional
$354,040,429
$163,289,746
$705,770,001
$455,885,290
↑ 28.8%
Residential
$756,846,325 $960,023,203
$924,277,904
$774,067,708
↑ 2.3%
Industrial Vacancy
Rate9
Office Vacancy Rate10
Occupied Dwelling
Units1
Housing Sales11
Average Housing
Price11
Average Days
on the Market11
8.0%
5.6%
4.8%
3.0%
↓ 5.0pp
11.4%
13.5%
12.6%
16.1%
↑ 4.7pp
173,962
178,232
183,677
189,124
↑ 8.7%
4,692
5,330
5,809
6,982
↑ 48.8%
$517,811
$543,414
$556,407
$580,954
↑ 12.2%
40
31
27
30
↓ 25.0%
Sources:
1 Halton Region Best Planning Estimates, June 2011 (forecasted)
2 Based on Halton’s land area of 967 square kilometres
3 Statistics Canada, Labour Force Survey Estimates (custom tabulation, 3 month moving average, unadjusted)
4 Statistics Canada, Employment Insurance Statistics (Table 276-0006, average number of beneficiaries receiving regular benefits)
5 Employment Halton (December monthly average)
6 Halton Region Employment Survey (*preliminary result)
7 Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy Canada
8 Local Municipal building departments and Halton Economic Development
9 CBRE. Based on rates in Burlington, Milton and Oakville.
10 CBRE. Based on rates in Burlington and Oakville.
11 Toronto Real Estate Board, Market Watch
Halton Development
Activity and Real Estate
Market Summary
Since 1993,
Halton’s ICI
development has
averaged 18%
growth per year.
Development Activity Overview
Halton has experienced strong growth over the last 20 years. In the sections that follow,
Halton’s historical building permit trends are examined using Statistics Canada data which
may vary from construction values reported by local municipal building departments.
Since 1993, residential development has grown 7% on average annually, while industrial,
commercial and institutional (ICI) development has averaged 18% growth annually.
20 Year Development Activity Trends in Halton by Type ($000), 1993 - 2013
Construction Value ($ billions)
20 Year Development Activity Trends in Halton by Type, 1993-2013
1.4
1.2
1.0
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013
Residential
Non-Residential*
* Includes industrial, commercial (office and retail), and institutional building types.
Source: Statistics Canada, Building Permits Survey (Publication 64-001-XWF), February 2014
Development activity has primarily centred in Oakville, Burlington and Milton over this
period; however, the Town of Halton Hills has begun to see significant growth over the past
ten years–averaging an annual growth rate of 21% since 2003. In 2013, Oakville accounted
for 52% of Halton Region’s total construction activity, followed by Burlington (25%), Milton
(13%) and Halton Hills (10%).
Ten Year Total Construction Value ($000) Trends across Halton, 2003 - 2013*
Ten Year Total Construction Value Trends Across Halton, 2003-2013
Construction Value ($ billions)
2.5
2.03
2.0
1.5
1.68
1.59
1.38
1.49
1.70
1.40
1.34
1.50
1.11 1.08
1.0
0.5
0
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
Burlington
Halton Hills
Milton
Oakville
* Including both residential and non-residential (industrial, commercial and institutional) building construction.
Source: Statistics Canada, Building Permits Survey (Publication 64-001-XWF), February 2014, rounded
Halton Economic Review 2013 7
Halton’s development activity in 2013 normalized from the record-breaking levels seen
in 2012. Development activity in 2013 was bolstered by several large scale developments
including the new Oakville Hospital and the Milton Velodrome.
In 2013, non-residential ICI construction values totalled nearly $786 million, down
33% from last year. Overall, there were 6,709 building permits issued across Halton in
2013, which represents a 17% decline over 2012, but similar to 2011 levels (1% growth).
Residential permits accounted for 41% of all building permits issued, while ICI permits
accounted for 16%.
20 Year Halton Industrial, Commercial and Institutional (ICI)
Construction Values, 1993-2013
20 Year Halton Industrial, Commercial and Institutional (ICI) Construction Values ($000), 1993 - 2013
600
Construction Value ($ millions)
The Oakville
Hospital and
Milton Velodrome
elevated
institutional
investment
construction
values in 2013.
500
400
300
200
100
0
1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013
Industrial
Oakville Hospital under
construction
Commercial
Institutional
Source: Statistics Canada, Building Permits Survey (Publication 64-001-XWF), February 2014
Annual Non-Residential New Gross Floor Area (000 sq.ft.), 2003-2013
Annual Non-Residential New Gross Floor Area, 2003-2013
New Floor Area (sq.ft. millions)
6
5.03
5
3
4.23
3.81
4
2.99
3.19
3.85
2.87
2
1.36
1
0
0.66
2003 2004
Industrial
2005 2006
Office
0.91
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Retail / Other Commercial
Source: Halton Region, Non-Residential Development Charges database, rounded.
8 Halton Economic Review 2013
0.90
2013
Average
Industrial Market
Company
Investment
and Expansion
Highlights
Industrial Development Activity
Industrial investment activity was strong throughout Halton in 2013. Total industrial
construction value reached just over $105 million in 2013, solidifying the strong recovery
that began in Halton in 2012 following the 2009 recession. Overall, the industrial sector
has seen average annual growth of 14% over the past ten years, although trend forecasts
remain downward due to minimal investment seen throughout 2009-2011.
Bolstering industrial investment in 2013 were several large-scale developments in Halton
Hills, including buildings in the Halton Hills Premier and Gateway business park, in Milton
at the 401 Business Park on Peddie Road ($11 million), and a new industrial building in
Burlington by Melrose Investments ($6.2 million). Other significant investments were made
at the Ford Oakville Assembly Complex, Unilock, Freshtaste Produce, Innovation Plus
Ten Year
Growth
Trends
inFoods,
Industrial
Construction
Value ($000)
Across Halton, 2003 - 2013
Power
Systems,
Fresh
Start
Prologis,
and Gordon
Food Service.
Ten Year Growth Trends in Industrial Construction Value across Halton
2003-2013
Construction Value ($ millions)
140
131
118
120
105
100
80
110
105
2012
2013
97
David Roberts Food Corporation
moved their Mississauga plant
to 2351 Upper Middle Road East,
Oakville. The company offers
custom processing and packaging
of various food items including
nuts and seeds, dried fruit and
snack mixes.
80
72
55
60
42
40
20
0
2003
2004
2005
Burlington
2006
2007
Halton Hills
The new 626,000 sq. ft. Lowe’s
Canadian Distribution Centre
officially opened in March 2013
in Milton. The facility has created
over 250 jobs and will support all
34 Lowe’s stores in Canada. Lowe’s
Canada has entered into a longterm lease at the Milton site and
has the capacity to expand by an
additional 175,000 sq. ft. to meet
future demand.
David Roberts Food
Corporation
156
160
Lowe’s
2008
2009
Milton
2010
2011
Oakville
2014
2015
Industrial Trendline Forecast
Source: Statistics Canada, Building Permits Survey (Publication 64-001-XWF), February 2014, rounded
Industrial Real Estate Market Summary
Industrial real estate market activity picked up during 2013. According to CBRE Ltd., overall
GTA absorption during 2013 was over 8.4 million sq.ft. Most of the absorption (5.1 m sq ft)
occured in the west GTA comprised of Peel Region and Halton Region. In Halton, vacancy
rates averaged 3.9% in Burlington (up from 3.7% in 2012), 2.4% in Milton (down from 5.4%
in 2012), and 2.7% in Oakville (down from 5.5% in 2012).
The average net rent of industrial space within Halton during the fourth quarter was $5.55
per sq.ft., compared to an average within the GTA for industrial space of $5.04. The average
asking sale price for industrial space in Halton was $92.34 per sq. ft., compared to an
average throughout the GTA of $86.87.
Ford Motor Company
On September 29, 2013, Ford Motor
Company announced that it was
investing $700 million at its Oakville
Assembly Complex, securing more
than 2,800 jobs and expanding its
manufacturing capability to meet
surging global demand.
Amazon.com
Online retailer Amazon.com
Inc. has leased 375,000 sq. ft. of
warehousing space at 2750 Peddie
Road, Milton in the 401 Business
Park, creating over 100 new jobs.
Halton Economic Review 2013 9
Company
Investment
and Expansion
Highlights
Top Industrial Developments, 2013*
Development
Location
Construction
Value ($)
First Gulf, Sun Life: Halton Hills Premier Gateway – Warehouse Expansion
Halton Hills
$11,450,000
Milton
$11,000,000
Halton Hills
$7,500,000
Cooper Construction, 2995 Peddie Road – New Warehouse Building
Metro Freightliner
Metro Freightliner expanded its
operations into Milton in 2013 at
a 40,000 sq. ft. facility on Lawson
Road. The facility features 21 drivein bays with nine drive-through
doors and two in-ground service
pits. The Milton location will allow
the company to extend its reach
and better serve its growing
Southern Ontario client base.
UPS Canada
UPS Canada opened its expanded
healthcare distribution facility in
Burlington. With the addition of
more than 200,000 sq. ft. of stateof-the-art climate controlled space,
the facility now has a total capacity
of 600,000 square feet, making
it one of the biggest coolers in
Canada.
HDP Canada – Distribution Warehouse
Melrose Investments – New 2-Storey Building (foundation only)
Burlington
$6,200,000
Norjohn Business Park – New Multi-Tenant Building
Burlington
$5,000,000
Kingsett Capital: Halton Hills Premier Gateway, 35 Brownridge Road –
Warehouse
Halton Hills
$4,400,000
Ford Motor Company of Canada – Renovation
Unilock Ltd – Addition (Warehouse)
Ford Motor Company of Canada – Manufacturing Alterations
Freshtaste Produce – Cooler Building Addition
Innovation Plus Power Systems – Addition
Oakville
$3,227,000
Halton Hills
$3,200,000
Oakville
$2,900,000
Milton
$2,800,000
Burlington
$2,500,000
Fresh Start Foods – Warehouse Addition
Milton
$2,264,000
Prologis – Alteration
Milton
$2,000,000
IAD Capital – Warehouse Expansion
Halton Hills
$1,900,000
Gordon Food Service – Warehouse Alteration
Milton
$1,350,000
Zook Canada Inc. – Manufacturing Expansion
Burlington
$1,300,000
Oakville
$1,006,000
David Roberts Food Corporation, 2351 Upper Middle Road E
– Renovation
GTA Industrial Market Vacancy Rates, 2012-2013
* Listing of all industrial developments in excess of $1 million in construction value.
Source: Local Municipal building departments.
GTA Industrial Market Vacancy Rates, 2012-2013
14
12
Q4 2013
8
6
4
Source: CBRE Ltd., MarketView, Q4 2013
10 Halton Economic Review 2013
GTA North
Halton
GTA West
Caledon
Burlington
Milton
Oakville
Brampton
Newmarket
Aurora
Vaughan
Richmond Hill
Oshawa
Markham
Whitby
GTA East
Whitchurch-Stouffville
GTA Central
Ajax
York
Pickering
East York
Etobicoke
Scarborough
0
North York
2
Toronto
Rate (%)
British Columbia-based Canterbury
Coffee Corporation took possession
of a 41,000 sq. ft. facility in the
Winston Park Employment Area in
Oakville in July 2013. The new stateof-the-art roasting facility will allow
the growing company to expand
operations in Eastern Canada and
reduce their carbon footprint.
Q4 2012
10
Mississauga
Canterbury Coffee
Company
Investment
and Expansion
Highlights
GTA Industrial Market Absorption,2013
GTA Industrial Market Absorption, 2013
6
5.06
Net Absorption (sq.ft. millions)
5
Net GTA Absorption:
8.4 million sq.ft.
4
Toronto Premium
Outlets
3
On August 1, the first Premium
Outlets in Canada opened its
doors in Halton Hills. According to
the launch organizers, the Halton
Hills Grand Opening was the
most successful Premium Outlets
opening in North America in terms
of revenue dollars and number of
shoppers. About 800 construction
jobs were created to build the
350,000 sq. ft. mall which will
employ 500 people on an ongoing
basis.
1.92
2
1.37
1
.075
0
GTA East
Toronto GTA North GTA West
Central
Source: CBRE Ltd., MarketView, Q4 2013, rounded
Commercial (Office) Market
Gypsum Technologies
Commercial Development Activity
Commercial office investment activity returned to conventional levels from record highs
posted in 2012. Total commercial construction value reached nearly $310 million in 2013,
down 42% from nearly $532 million in 2012 but comfortably above values posted during
the 2009-2011 recessionary period. Overall, the commercial sector has seen average annual
growth of 13% over the past ten years, with upward trend forecasts.
Ten Year Growth Trends in Commercial Construction Value ($000) Across Halton, 2003 - 2013
Ten Year Growth Trends in Commercial Construction Value
across Halton, 2003-2013
600
On October 17, 2013, Gypsum
Technologies Inc. (Gyptech)
officially opened its new corporate
headquarters in Burlington. The
global supplier of wallboard
process equipment and
engineering services has built a
new 22,000 sq. ft. headquarters
to meet corporate growth
objectives and long-term goals.
The headquarters will create
approximately 75 high quality jobs.
Construction Value ($ millions)
532
500
iFLY Toronto
408
400
300
364
282
243
310
300
234
232
200
178
190
2010
2011
100
0
2003
2004 2005
Burlington
2006 2007
Halton Hills
2008
Milton
2009
Oakville
2012
2013
2014
2015
iFLY Toronto officially broke ground
at its new Oakville facility in 2013
and is scheduled to open in
the second quarter of 2014. iFLY
Toronto will be the first indoor
skydiving simulator of its kind in
Ontario and the second to open
in Canada, following Montreal. The
facility expects to draw more than
60,000 visitors in its first year alone.
Commercial Trendline Forecast
Source: Statistics Canada, Building Permits Survey (Publication 64-001-XWF), February 2014, rounded
Halton Economic Review 2013 11
Company
Investment
and Expansion
Highlights
Baffinland
Baffinland opened their new
head office in Oakville in 2013
at 2275 Upper Middle Road
East. Baffinland’s engineering
and environmental teams are
focused on the exploration and
development of the Mary River
Property, located in the Qikiqtani
Region of Nunavut on Baffin Island.
It is currently one of the largest
mining developments planned
in Canada, and one of the most
significant developments ever
planned above the Arctic Circle.
Jamdeo
Jamdeo opened their new
Canadian head office in Oakville
in 2013 at 2305 Wyecroft Road,
creating 65 new jobs. Jamdeo
develops end-to-end solutions for
Original Equipment Manufacturers
(OEMs) who manufacture Smart
TV’s, set top boxes, OTT boxes
and sticks.
Contributing to commercial investment in 2013 were several large-scale developments
in Oakville, including a multi-purpose commercial complex by London Hills Builders near
Dundas St. W and Neyagawa Blvd. ($10.2 million), phase two of Great Lakes Business Park
($8.4 million), and a retrofit for PwC Canada by First Gulf ($6 million), as well as construction
starting on a new office building on Skyview Dr. in Burlington ($9 million) and ELM
Business Centre in Milton ($4 million). Other significant investments were made in Oakville
at Ennisclare Corporate Centre for Manulife Securities and a tenant retrofit by Pauls
Properties in the Great Lakes Business Park.
Top Commercial Office Developments, 2013
Development
Location
Construction
Value ($)
London Hills Builders Ltd
New Office/Retail Construction
Oakville
$10,200,000
1006 Skyiew Drive
New Office Building - Foundation Only
Burlington
$9,000,000
Great Lakes Business Park Phase 2
New Office Building
Oakville
$8,400,000
First Gulf
Office Alteration (Retrofit for PWC)
Oakville
$6,000,000
ELM Business Centre
New 2-Storey Office Building
Milton
$4,000,000
Ennisclare Corporate Centre
Office Alteration at Manulife Securities
Oakville
$2,400,000
New Horizon Homes
New Multi-Storey Office/Residential
Burlington
$1,550,000
Pauls Properties
(Great Lakes Business Park)
New Office Retrofit
Oakville
$1,500,000
* Listing of all commercial office developments in excess of $1 million in construction value.
Source: Local Municipal building departments.
Commercial Real Estate Market Summary
Within the commercial office market, absorption in the GTA was negative for much of the
year leading to upward pressure on vacancy rates. Net absorption in the GTA overall in
2013 was negative 322,426 sq.ft., with the Halton municipalities of Burlington recording
minus 186,015 sq.ft. and Oakville posting a positive absorption of 126,988 sq.ft.
By the fourth quarter, overall office vacancy rates in the GTA were 9.4%, up from 8.3%
during the same period last year. In the south Halton office market, vacancy rates averaged
15.4% in Burlington (up from 10.0% in 2012) and 16.7% in Oakville (up from 15.2% in 2012).
The average net rent of office space in Burlington during the fourth quarter was $16.05 per
sq.ft., while in the Oakville office market net rents were $17.51 per sq.ft. This compares to an
overall average within the GTA for office space of $17.85 during the fourth quarter of 2013.
12 Halton Economic Review 2013
GTA Office Market Vacancy Rates, 2012-2013
GTA Office Market Vacancy Rates, 2012-2013
35
30
Q4 2012
Q4 2013
20
15
10
GTA Central
GTA East
GTA North
Burlington
Oakville
Brampton
Mississauga Meadowvale
Mississauga City Centre
Airport Corporate Centre
427 Corridor
Vaughan
North Yonge West
North Yonge
Consumers Road
East York / Don Mills
Markham North / Richmond Hill
Scarborough
Toronto Midtown
Toronto Bloor & Yonge
Halton
–Garry Murray, President & CEO,
Gyptech
GTA West
Source: CBRE Ltd., MarketView, Q4 2013
GTA Office Market Absorption, 2013
GTA Office Market Absorption, 2013
50
Net Absorption (sq.ft. thousands)
0
Toronto Downtown
5
Toronto Financial Core
Rate (%)
25
”We look forward
to getting into
the new building
where we have
a modern facility
and the improved
quality of life that
Burlington offers”
GTA
East
Toronto
Toronto
Downtown Midtown
GTA
North
10.2
.5
0
-50
GTA
West
-22.7
-100
-125.2
-150
-200
-185.1
Net GTA Absorption: -322.4
Source: CBRE Ltd., MarketView, Q4 2013, rounded
Halton Economic Review 2013 13
Residential Market and
Housing Activity
GTA
The Greater Toronto Area (GTA) witnessed moderate growth in housing market sales
during 2013 as total housing sales in the GTA climbed 2% to 87,111 transactions. According
to the Toronto Real Estate Board, home ownership in the GTA has remained at affordable
levels as borrowing costs continued to stay at historical lows. The average selling price in
the GTA in 2013 was $523,036, a 5% rise over the previous year.
Housing Prices in Select Ontario Markets, Q4 2012 vs. Q4 2013
Market
$581
Thousand
2013 Average Halton
Housing Price
Detached Bungalow*
%
Change
Standard Condominium**
Q4 2012
Q4 2013
%
Q4 2012
Q4 2013
Change
Barrie
$279,000
$300,000
7.5%
$275,000
$280,000
1.8%
Brantford
$217,000
$223,000
2.8%
$153,500
$153,500
0.0%
London
$249,500
$256,200
2.7%
$144,800
$151,200
4.4%
Hamilton
(Mountain)
$251,607
$262,008
4.1%
n/a
n/a
n/a
North Toronto
$705,000
$782,000
10.9%
$417,000
$441,000
5.8%
Scarborough
(Central)
$420,000
$440,000
4.8%
$265,000
$270,000
1.9%
Newmarket
$419,000
$485,000
15.8%
$218,000
$258,000
18.3%
Markham
$600,000
$655,000
9.2%
$325,000
$355,000
9.2%
Mississauga
(Meadowvale)
$460,000
$485,000
5.4%
$240,000
$255,000
6.3%
Richmond Hill
$550,000
$650,000
18.2%
$284,300
$305,000
7.3%
Burlington
$375,000
$442,000
17.9%
$280,000
$299,900
7.1%
Oakville
$435,668
$490,000
12.5%
$290,000
$295,000
1.7%
Milton
n/a
$428,704
n/a
n/a
$269,906
n/a
Halton Hills
(Georgetown)
$397,000
$406,250
2.3%
$253,483
$272,750
7.6%
* Refers to a three-bedroom single storey home with 1 1/2 bathrooms and a garage (house area 1,200 sq ft)
** Refers to a two-bedroom apartment in a high-rise building with an inside floor area of 900 sq ft)
Source: Royal LePage, Survey of Canadian House Prices, 2012 and 2013
Halton Region
Meanwhile, the resale housing market in Halton Region out performed the rest of the GTA.
The Toronto Real Estate Board reported 6,982 housing sales during 2013, representing a
20% increase over last year and nearly 50% growth in the region since 2010. The increased
sales activity exerted upward pressure on resale prices which have risen 12% over the past
four years.
14 Halton Economic Review 2013
The resale
housing market
in Halton
outperformed
the rest of
the GTA with
20% growth
in housing
sales over the
previous year.
Ten Year Growth Trends in Residential Construction Value
across Halton,
2003-2013
Ten Year Growth Trends in Residential
Construction
Value ($000) Across Halton, 2003 - 2013
1,200
Construction Value ($ millions)
991
1,030 1,055 1,003 1,025
1,125
992
1,000
875
800
720
795
739
600
400
200
0
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Burlington
Halton Hills
Milton
Oakville
Residential Trendline Forecast
Source: Statistics Canada, Building Permits Survey (Publication 64-001-XWF), February 2014, rounded
Halton’s new housing market performed at a somewhat slower pace in 2013. The Canada
Mortgage and Housing Corporation reported 3,013 new single or multiple dwelling units
began construction in Halton in 2013, down 27% from the previous year. Overall, there
were 3,552 dwelling units completed during the year, representing a 9% decline from 2012.
By December 2013, however, there were nearly 6,826 dwelling units under construction,
with a three month average absorption of 195 units. This compares to only 3,694 units
under construction the previous year indicating that Halton’s residential sector should
witness strong growth in 2014. Overall, there were nearly 795 million dollars in residential
construction values, in Halton in 2013, down slightly from the housing boom that occurred
during the 2004-2008 period.
2,000
1,800
1,600
1,400
1,200
1,000
800
600
400
200
0
2,000
1,800
1,600
1,400
1,200
1,000
800
600
400
200
0
Number of Completions
Number of Starts
Five Year
Halton
Five Year Halton
Housing
Trends,Housing
2008-2013*Trends, 2008-2013*
I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV
2008
2009
2010
Housing Starts
2011
2012
2013
Housing Completions
* Data is collected through the Starts and Completions Survey, which involves site visits of new self-contained
single and multiple dwelling units.
Source: Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Housing Market Information, January 2014
Halton Economic Review 2013 15
600
Halton Employment Lands
net ha vacant (2013)
Serviced
Employment Land
Halton’s
Employment
Districts
Halton’s employment areas are an integral part of the Region’s economic development
potential. Halton has fourteen existing and three planned employment areas for the
2021 horizon.
Halton Region is committed to ensuring a sufficient supply of employment lands to meet
Halton’s growth forecast and fiscal objectives. Employment land development is also a
major priority for Halton’s Local Municipalities who work closely with Halton Region on
infrastructure servicing and planning for employment parks.
Halton Employment Areas
Burlington
Acton
• QEW East
Acton
Employment Area
• QEW West
N
• Downtown Burlington Urban
Growth Centre
Georgetown
Employment Area
• Bronte Meadows
Halton
Hills
Oakville
• Burloak Employment District
Mansewood (Rural)
Industrial Area
• Midtown Core (UGC)
• QEW East
• QEW West
• Winston Park
• Winston Park West*
Milton
• Highway 401 Industrial and
Business Park
Halton Hills
Premier Gateway
401
Existing
Employment
Area
Milton 401 Industrial
Business Park
Planned
Employment
Area
Urban Areas
and Hamlets
Milton
Municipal
Boundary
• Derry Green*
407
Milton Urban
Growth Centre
Derry Green Corporate
Business Park
407
403
Halton Hills
• Acton
Trafalgar /
Derry Lands
SW Education Village / North Oakville East
CN Lands
Employment District
• Milton Urban Growth Centre
• Halton Hills Premier Gateway
Burlington
Q.E.W. East
Burlington
North
Burlington
Winston Park
West Employment
District
QEW
• Mansewood
• 401 Corridor East*
16 Halton Economic Review 2013
Winston Park
Employment
District
Oakville
North Oakville West
Employment District
• Georgetown
*Planned for servicing within 2021 timeframe.
Georgetown
Burlington
Urban
Growth
Centre
Burlington
Q.E.W. East
Burloak
Employment
District
Q.E.W. West
Employment
District
Q.E.W. East
Employment District
Midtown Core
Employment District
Employment Land Updates
City of Burlington
• The City of Burlington and the Burlington Economic Development Corporation have
embarked on a major Employment Lands Strategy to review the competitiveness and
marketing of its five distinct employment districts: Prosperity Corridor (QEW East and
West), Downtown, 407, 403 West and Bronte Meadows.
Town of Halton Hills
• Trunk servicing of the Halton Hills 401 Corridor east of Trafalgar Road was initiated
with the Toronto Premium Outlets mall. With the Ministry of Transportation planning a
major interchange west of Winston Churchill and Highways 401/407, Halton Region is
working with the Town of Halton Hills on a Regional Official Plan Amendment to bring
employment lands east of Trafalgar Road and north of Steeles Avenue into the 2021
development timeframe.
• This prime employment area along Highway 401 from Winston Churchill to James Snow
Parkway has now been branded as the Halton Hills Premier Gateway with the tag line
“Access business opportunities where the 401 and 407 meet”. The new name better
identifies the Town and the strategic location on the 400 series highway.
Town of Milton
• In November, Regional Council approved the 2012 Allocation Program. The program
allows for the Region’s servicing of the Derry Green Corporate Business Park to allow
Halton to capitalize on the next wave of office and industrial developments.
• The Town of Milton and Halton Region are working together to finalize modifications
to the existing Derry Green Corporate Business Park Secondary Plan and proposed
Financing Agreement. Once the Secondary Plan is approved, Halton will move forward
with the implementation of the Regional servicing infrastructure program.
2013 Employment
Land Absorption
(net HA)
13
Burlington
2
Halton Hills
35
Milton
49
Oakville
99
HALTON REGION
Source: Local Municipal Economic
Development Departments Town of Oakville
• The new Oakville Hospital is the catalyst for the Town’s vision to create a distinct 200acre global innovation park focused on the life sciences and technology sectors. The
proposed Life Sciences & Technology Park will include a cluster of companies in the
development of products, services and Research and Development (R&D). The Park also
proposes to integrate academic institutions that link education and business in R&D
and commercialization initiatives. Land use policies for the proposed Life Sciences &
Technology Park will be examined as part of the Town’s upcoming Employment Land
Review slated for Spring 2014.
• Regional infrastructure improvements, including trunk servicing and road widening
of 9th Line, are ongoing in the Winston Park West employment district, located on the
west side of Highway 403. Completion is scheduled for early 2015. The southerly lands
of Winston Park West are currently moving through the Town of Oakville local planning
approvals process.
Halton Economic Review 2013 17
28%
City of Toronto
5%
Durham Region -18%
York Region
-26%
Halton Region
-29%
Peel Region
Halton’s Competitive
Position
Successfully attracting new non-residential investment requires the right combination
of qualitative and quantitative factors including serviced and competitively priced
employment land, development charges and property taxes, proximity to market, talent
availability and quality of place, among others.
This section compares Halton against neighbouring municipalities to show just how well
Halton competes within the broader region.
Building Permit Activity
Halton’s 2013 total construction value dropped compared to 2012 as did all other GTA
municipalities and Hamilton with the exception of the City of Toronto and Durham Region.
Halton’s overall market share of building permit activity across the greater region remained
relatively constant at approximately 9% overall. The proportion of ICI development to total
development
is highest
in HaltonPermit
and Hamilton
at 47%
and 48%
respectively
as compared
Comparison
of Building
Activity
($000)
in the
GTAH, 2013
to 25% in York and 30% in Durham.
Comparison of Building Permit Activity in the GTAH, 2013
Construction Value ($billions)
GTA Building
Permit Activity
Year-over-Year
% Growth
(2013 vs 2012)
10
7.986
8
6
4
2.750
1.386
2
0
2.603
Durham
York
Toronto
Residential
-32%
City of Hamilton
Peel
1.502
1.011
Halton
Hamilton
ICI*
* Refering to industrial, commercial and institutional construction.
Source: Statistics Canada, Building Permits Survey (Publication 64-001-XWF), February 2014, rounded
GTAH Industrial and Commercial Market Shares, 2013
GTAH Industrial and Commercial Market Shares, 2013
Industrial Market
2013 GTAH Industrial Construction Value: $1.2 billion
Commercial Market
2013 GTAH Commercial Construction Value: $4.4 billion
Hamilton
6%
Hamilton
9%
Halton
9%
Durham
15%
York
12%
Peel
27%
Toronto
28%
Source: Statistics Canada, Building Permits Survey (Publication 64-001-XWF), February 2014
18 Halton Economic Review 2013
Halton
7%
Durham
3%
York
10%
Peel
15%
Toronto
59%
Property Tax
Industrial Tax Rates
Industrial property taxes in Burlington and Halton Hills are currently around the Greater
Golden Horseshoe (GGH)Industrial
average
whileTax
Oakville
and the
Milton
Property
Rates across
GGH,are
2013slightly more competitive.
Industrial Property Tax Rates across the GGH, 2013
Hamilton
Oshawa
20.4%
4.768
4.585
Pickering
4.097
3.579
Kitchener
Burlington
City of Toronto
3.288
3.278
3.221
Halton Hills
Oakville
Barrie
19%
3.027
2.970
Milton
Brampton
City of Brantford
2.787
2.529
Caledon
Mississauga
17.9%
2.522
2.361
Newmarket
Vaughan
2.159
Richmond Hill
2.152
2.119
2
Markham
0
Rate (%)
23.5%
Peel Region 5.881
Brantford
Non-Residential
Assessment Across
the GTA (% of total
assessment)
York Region
4
6
Source: Watson & Associates Economists Ltd., 2014
Commerical Tax Rates
15.6%
Halton Region
13.1%
City of Hamilton
In comparison, Halton’s commercial property taxes are among the lowest of all GGH
municipalities.
Commercial
Property
Tax RatesTax
across
the GGH,
2013 the GGH, 2013
Commercial
Property
Rates
across
3.761
3.707
3.479
3.210
3.036
2.790
Brantford
Hamilton
Kitchener
Oshawa
Toronto
Barrie
Pickering
Brampton
Mississauga
Caledon
Newmarket
Burlington
Halton Hills
Oakville
Vaughan
Richmond Hill
Milton
Markham
0
2.780
2.372
2.155
2.085
2.031
2.029
2.023
1.988
1.859
1.854
1.833
1.825
2
4
Rate (%)
12.9%
Durham Region Non-residential assessment
across Halton (% of total)
18.1% Burlington 17% Milton
14.3% Oakville
10.7%
Halton Hills
6
Source: Watson & Associates Economists Ltd., 2014
Halton Economic Review 2013 19
The property tax
portion of market
rents in Halton
is 15-17%. This is
significantly lower
than other nearby
municipalities.
Market Rents
Industrial
The market rents for industrial space in Oakville and Milton are marginally higher than
the average across the GGH but are competitive within the west and north GTA . In
comparison, industrial rents in Burlington and Halton Hills are below the GGH average.
It should also be noted that the portion of rent made up by property taxes in Halton
municipalities (15-17%) is significantly lower than other GGH municipalities.
Average
Warehouse/Distribution/Multi-Tenant
Industrial
Rents
Average
Warehouse/Distribution/Multi-Tenant Industrial Market
Rents acrossMarket
the GGH, 2013*
across the GGH, 2013*
Markham
Richmond Hill
Kitchener
Mississauga
Vaughan
Oakville
Milton
Brampton
Oshawa
Halton Hills
Hamilton
Barrie
Burlington
Pickering
Newmarket
Caledon
Brantford
0
9.84
9.52
8.99
8.97
8.84
8.62
8.39
8.37
8.20
8.10
8.07
Property
Tax Portion
7.87
7.84
7.66
7.47
2.13
1.79
2.58
2.29
2.44
1.52
1.45
2.36
1.52
1.36
2.49
1.62
1.56
1.59
1.34
1.78
2.08
2
6.90
6.73
4
6
8
10
Market Rent ($ per sq.ft.)
* Subject to commercial property tax rates. Source: Watson & Associates Economists Ltd., 2014
Commercial (Office)
Halton commercial market rents fall below the average rents in the GGH, with the
exception of Oakville.
Average Office Market Rents across the GGH, 2013*
Average Office Market Rents across the GGH, 2013*
Downtown Core
North York Centre/York Mills
Midtown
Mississauga
Oakville
Vaughan
Brampton
Markham
Etobicoke
Richmond Hill
Scarborough
Burlington
Newmarket
Pickering
Milton
Halton Hills
Hamilton
Oshawa
55.41
10.33
37.41
35.26
31.84
29.32
28.29
27.49
26.40
25.87
25.55
25.24
25.00
24.31
23.94
23.79
23.13
22.96
5.69
9.87
5.13
4.12
4.06
4.27
5.86
5.37
3.93
4.74
4.06
4.31
4.50
3.28
3.62
3.75
3.30
0
Property
Tax Portion
18.09
10
20
30
40
Market Rent ($ per sq.ft.)
* Reflect Class A office space. Source: Watson & Associates Economists Ltd., 2014
20 Halton Economic Review 2013
50
60
Development Charges
Halton Region’s non-residential, non-retail Development Charges in Halton decreased
approximately 25% in 2012, under DC by-law no. 48-12 making them competitive with
nearby municipalities.
Commercial Development Charge Rates across the GGH, 2013*
Industrial
Markham
29.57
Halton’s built-boundary development chargesRichmond
are among
with the
Hill the lowest in the GGH,
28.36
exception of Oakville.
Mississauga
27.69
Oakville (Greenfield)
23.52
Industrial Development Charge
Rates across the GGH, 2013*
Brampton
23.46
Industrial Development Charge Rates
across the GGH, 2013*
Caledon
23.34
Vaughan
Markham
32.58 22.08
Newmarket
21.76
Richmond Hill
28.36
Oakville (Greenfield)
Oakville (Built Boundary)23.52
20.50
Vaughan
22.08
Halton Hills (Greenfield)
17.81
Newmarket
21.76
Burlington (Greenfield)
17.20
Mississauga
20.80
Milton (Greenfield)
17.17
Oakville (Built Boundary)
20.50
Pickering
17.03
Brampton
17.74
Hamilton
16.78
Caledon
17.63
Oshawa
16.16
Burlington (Greenfield)
17.20
Milton (Greenfield) Halton Hills (Built Boundary)
17.17
14.79
Halton Hills (Greenfield) Burlington (Built15.45
Boundary)
14.19
Kitchener
Milton (Built15.12
Boundary)
14.05
Burlington (Built Boundary)
14.19
Toronto
13.69
Milton (Built Boundary)
14.05
0
10
20
30
Halton Hills (Built Boundary)
12.43
Rate ($ per sq.ft.)
Barrie
11.08
* Rates as of December 18, 2013.
Hamilton
9.60
Source: Watson & Associates Economists Ltd., 2014
Pickering
9.47
Oshawa
5.40
Brantford
5.35
0
Commercial
10
20
Rate ($ per sq.ft.)
30
40
Commercial Development Charge Rates across the GGH, 2013*
* Rates as of December 18, 2013.
Source: Watson & Associates Economists Ltd., 2014
Halton’s commercial development charges are among the lowest in the GGH, with the
Markham
29.57
exception of Oakville.
Richmond Hill
Brampton
23.34
Richmond Hill
Vaughan28.36
22.08
Mississauga
Newmarket
27.69
Oakville (Built Boundary)
23.52
21.76
Halton Hills (Greenfield)
23.46
Caledon
Burlington (Greenfield)
23.34
Vaughan
Milton (Greenfield)
22.08
17.17
Newmarket
Pickering
21.76
Hamilton
20.50
17.03
Burlington (Built
17.17Boundary)
Pickering
Milton (Built
17.03Boundary)
14.05
Hamilton
16.78 Toronto
13.69
16.16
14.79
14.19
0
10
20
Rate ($ per sq.ft.)
14.79
Burlington (Built Boundary)
14.19
Milton (Built Boundary)
14.05
Toronto
13.69
0
10
20
Rate ($ per sq.ft.)
Market Access
16.78
Milton (Greenfield)
16.16
88%
Source: Halton Region Business Conditions Survey,
conducted in Fall 2013. n=300
17.20
Burlington (Greenfield)
Oshawa
Access to Training
Proximity to Suppliers
17.81
17.81 Oshawa
Halton Hills (Built
17.20Boundary)
Halton Hills (Built Boundary)
88%
20.50
Brampton
Halton Hills (Greenfield)
Quality of Life
& Safety
88%
23.46
Caledon 29.57
Oakville (Built Boundary)
96%
27.69
Oakville (Greenfield)
23.52
Commercial Development Charge
Rates across the GGH, 2013*
Oakville (Greenfield)
The inaugural Halton Region
Business Conditions Survey
asked local business owners
about Halton’s differentiators and
advantages as a business location
versus other Greater Toronto
Area/Greater Golden Horseshoe
locations. These were the top
rated advantages identified
by the following per cent of
respondents:
28.36
Commercial Development Charge RatesMississauga
across the GGH, 2013*
Markham
Halton’s
Comparative
Advantages
30
* Rates as of December 18, 2013.
Source: Watson & Associates Economists Ltd., 2014
30
* Rates as of December 18, 2013.
Source: Watson & Associates Economists Ltd., 2014
Halton Economic Review 2013 21
Overall Cost of Development
Comparison
Industrial
The overall cost of development takes into consideration land costs, construction costs,
development charges, property taxes and developer profit and annualizes them over a 25
year period to provide an average annualized cost. Of Halton municipalities, Halton Hills
is the most competitive for manufacturing development and has one of the lowest costs
of development of all GGH municipalities. Milton and Burlington are cost competitive
for manufacturing compared to the larger west GTA municipalities of Mississauga and
Brampton and North GTA communities of Vaughan, Richmond Hill and Markham.
Milton and Halton Hills have the lowest cost of development for distribution warehouse
centres within the GTA outside of Durham and are also more competitive than some GGH
municipalities including Guelph, Kitchener and Cambridge.
Annualized Cost of Industrial Development, 2013
Annualized Cost of Industrial Development, 2013
Manufacturing Building
(150,000 sq.ft.)
Vaughan
Markham
Mississauga
Brampton
Oakville (Greenfield)
Oakville (Built Boundary)
Richmond Hill
Burlington (Greenfield)
Burlington (Built Boundary)
Hamilton
Milton (Greenfield)
Milton (Built Boundary)
Caledon
Newmarket
Kitchener
Halton Hills (Greenfield)
16.15
16.05
15.94
15.89
15.83
15.62
15.08
14.66
14.45
13.79
13.56
13.35
13.24
12.77
12.60
12.50
Halton Hills (Built Boundary)
Barrie
Pickering
Oshawa
Brantford
12.29
12.14
12.13
11.47
11.07
10
0
Cost ($ per sq.ft.)
22 Halton Economic Review 2013
Oak
Bu
Burling
Mi
Hal
Halton
20
Commercial (Office)
Relative to municipalities outside the City of Toronto, Oakville and Burlington have average
development costs for office development which are comparable to Richmond Hill and
Vaughan. The cost of development in Oakville and Burlington is slightly lower than other
major office markets in Markham, Mississauga and Brampton.
Milton and Halton Hills have among the lowest annualized cost for office development of
all GGH municipalities. Their competitiveness in terms of annualized cost of development
is largly attributed to competitive land prices and moderate commercial tax rates.
Milton and
Halton Hills have
among the
lowest annualized
cost for office
development
of all GGH
municipalities.
Annualized Cost
of Commerical
Development,
Annualized
Cost Office
of Commercial
Office2013
Development, 2013
Commercial Office Building
(50,000 sq.ft.)
Downtown Core
115.02
Mid-Town
92.21
North York Centre/York Mills
80.19
Don Mills/Eglington
49.67
Etobicoke
29.53
Scarborough
25.34
Markham
23.42
Mississauga
22.96
Brampton
21.85
Oakville (Greenfield)
21.63
Vaughan
21.44
Oakville (Built Boundary)
21.42
Richmond Hill
21.20
Burlington (Greenfield)
20.41
Burlington (Built Boundary)
20.21
Newmarket
20.02
Pickering
19.27
Milton (Greenfield)
18.85
Milton (Built Boundary)
18.63
Halton Hills (Greenfield)
18.55
Halton Hills (Built Boundary)
18.35
Hamilton
18.14
Oshawa
17.77
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
Cost ($ per sq.ft.)
Halton Economic Review 2013 23
24 Halton Economic Review 2013
Halton Region Economic
Development Services
Small Business Services
The Halton Region Small Business Centre works to empower small and medium-sized
enterprises and give them the tools to achieve success. The Centre offers one-on-one
consultations, workshops and seminars on a variety of topics to support business start-up
and growth, peer to peer networking and a wealth of reference resources.
Summer Company – Turning Ideas into Business
For the past 13 years, the Small Business Centre has worked with young entrepreneurs
to help them start and grow their own summer businesses through participation in
the provincially-funded Summer Company program. The program supports students
interested in entrepreneurship as a possible career choice. Program participants receive
funding of up to $3,000, as well as business training and mentoring from Centre staff
and volunteers from the local business community. In 2013, there were 11 students who
successfully completed the Summer Company program.
Investment Attraction and
Expansion Support
Halton Region works to promote the region as a great place to do business and to provide
existing and prospective Halton companies the information they require to make an
informed location decision. Key activities and services include quarterly reporting on
Halton’s economic activity, information on Halton’s competitiveness as a business location,
site location assistance, as well as economic research and real estate information for
companies looking to locate or expand in Halton.
2013 Initiatives
Real Estate Forum: Halton’s annual Real Estate Forum was held on October 29, 2013 at the
Burlington Convention Centre. More than 200 industrial and commercial developers, real estate
brokers and stakeholders were in attendance to receive an update on Halton’s real estate
market and competitiveness.
Marketing and Communications Plan: Halton Region completed a three-year Marketing
and Communications Plan focused on investment attraction audiences. The plan includes a
number of tactics including an updated web presence, social media, online advertising, events,
and content marketing that will be rolled out starting in 2014.
Lead Generation: Halton Region Economic Development worked closely with lead
generation partners, such as the Greater Toronto Marketing Alliance, Ontario Clean Technology
Alliance and the Province of Ontario throughout 2013. Through these lead generation partners,
474 investment leads were identified and Halton Region responded with detailed location
information for 40 requests for information.
2013 Results
1293
Client Consultations
71
Total Seminars
and Events
28
Seminars and Events
for New Canadians
28
Seminars and
Events for Young
Entrepreneurs
2013 Results
474
Investment Leads
40
Detailed Requests for
Information
Featured Entrepreneur
Danny Burns of MC Olives Inc.
Milton resident Danny Burns identified
an opportunity to import quality
olive oils from select sources in Spain,
Portugal and Italy. Small Business
Centre staff worked with him on
refining the sales and marketing
strategy for MC Olives. He is now
selling to select fine food stores in
the GTA, Montreal and Alberta and
is expanding.
Halton Economic Review 2013 25
Halton Tourism
Tourism
190,267
Halton Region works with local, regional and provincial partners to bring more visitors to
Halton. Key tourism related activities include stakeholder capacity building workshops,
tourism product development and enhancement, as well as marketing and promotional
activities.
(27%)
Discovering Halton
Webpage views
2799
(94%)
Twitter Followers
355
(284%)
Facebook likes
246
(186%)
Pinterest followers
2013 Initiatives
Agritourism Action Plan: Halton Region worked with the Ontario Culinary Tourism Alliance
to develop an Agritourism Action Plan (AAP), endorsed by Council in November 2013. The
AAP provides recommendations and tactics for capacity building, product development and
marketing designed to support Halton Region’s agricultural sector and attract more visitors to
Halton.
Pumpkin Trail and Harvest Halton: Building on recommendations coming out of the
Agritourism Action Plan, Halton Region piloted two new tourism products in October 2013.
Over 37,500 Pumpkin Trail maps were distributed throughout Halton and surrounding areas
showcasing a self-guided fall tour that included 25 Halton businesses offering a pumpkin
experience from pies to pick-your-own. Harvest Halton was a one-day event on October 6, 2013
at Country Heritage Park that paired local farmers with local chefs. More than 200 attendees
had the opportunity to experience the harvest by sampling delicious local culinary creations.
PHYSICIAN RECRUITMENT
Halton Region’s Physician Recruitment initiative actively markets Halton to prospective
family physicians and works with existing physicians to ensure a strong family medicine
presence in the Halton community. In 2013, the Region’s Physician Recruitment program:
• Attracted 22 new family physicians to Halton
• Hosted special events in Halton for family medicine residents and at medical universities
in Ontario
• Organized the annual Halton Physician Appreciation Week
• Maintained regular contact with newly recruited physicians to ensure retention
• Assisted local hospitals with their specialist recruitment efforts, as well as emergency
room physicians and hospitalists
• Coordinated over 45 community tours/physician meetings for prospective family
physicians and their spouses
The program continues to support the Halton McMaster Family Health Centre family
medicine teaching unit in Burlington.
26 Halton Economic Review 2013
Partners in Success
HalTech
HalTech, Halton’s Regional Innovation Centre, complements the Halton Region Small
Business Centre by providing a number of services that specifically support technology
and advanced manufacturing companies and entrepreneurs. HalTech works with
companies in various stages of growth, helping them take an innovative concept from idea
to reality.
HalTech Services
• Advisory Services
• Market Research
• Access to Funding
• Education, Knowledge & Skills Development
• Network Access
For more information on HalTech visit haltech.ca.
HIEC
The Halton Industry Education Council (HIEC) is a not-for-profit organization that has
worked for 25 years to build partnerships between industry and education to help
inform career decisions. HIEC delivers innovative programs and services that leverage
technologies, advance collaboration, strengthen economic development, inspire
mentorship and help young people succeed.
2013 Highlights
• Celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Grade 8 Career Awareness Program that brings
every Grade 8 student in Halton to HIEC’s on-site Career Centre for career exploration.
More than 100,000 students have participated in the program.
• Facilitated nearly 1,000 job matches with apprenticesearch.com, HIEC’s cutting-edge
technological resource that connects Ontario employers and job seekers in the skilled
trades.
• Drove sustained growth at EmployerRegistry.ca, a provincial resource that connects
employers with tomorrow’s workforce through experiential learning programs like
cooperative education. More than 10,000 employers across the province have registered.
• Continued to build a culture of mentorship in Halton with Men as Career Coaches
and Women as Career Coaches, community-focused events that bring together high
school students with adults to take part in facilitated mentorship. Since the events
were developed, attendance has increased by more than 100% with a sustained 90%+
satisfaction rating from attendees.
2011-2013 Haltech
Client Growth:
Number of New
Clients
70
2011
123
2012
200
2013
“Since we became
a HalTech client,
Advanced Test
and Automation
has increased
our staffing from
four to ten – and
increased sales by
a multiple of ten.”
–Anthony Khoraych, President,
Advanced Test and Automation
• Fostered collaboration with program incubation, partnership development, community
events like Breakfast with the Mayors, ongoing school board support and a continued
emphasis on extending the reach of new technologies.
For more information on HIEC, visit hiec.on.ca or schooltocareer.ca.
Halton Economic Review 2013 27
Halton Region
Economic Development Team
905-825-6000 or 1-866-442-5866
John Davidson
Director
[email protected]
Ext. 7828
Investment Attraction and
Expansion Support
Bethany Moir
Manager, Economic Development
[email protected]
Ext. 7955
Nancy Malloy
Administrative Assistant
[email protected]
Ext. 7514
Christine Carrington
Economic Development Research Analyst
[email protected]
Ext. 7132
Small Business Services
Sandra Nuhn
Manager, Entrepreneurship & Innovation
[email protected]
Ext. 7228
Stephanie Mazhari
Economic Development Officer – Investment
[email protected]
Ext. 7229
Catharine Frith
Business Consultant
[email protected]
Ext. 7732
Margaret Gaskell
Economic Development Coordinator
[email protected]
Ext. 7826
Robert Manning
Business Consultant
[email protected]
Ext. 7522
Physician Recruitment
Angela Sugden-Praysner
Physician Recruitment Coordinator
[email protected]
Ext. 7929
Cameron Tulloch
Business Consultant
[email protected]
Ext. 7550
Claudia Nachevski
Program Assistant
[email protected]
Ext. 7066
28 Halton Economic Review 2013
Tourism
Vacant
Tourism Development Coordinator
Thank you to our
sponsors, RBC and the
Ministry of Economic
Development, Trade
and Employment
Partners
Tourism Burlington
Burlington Chamber of
Commerce
Halton Hills Chamber of
Commerce
Milton Chamber of Commerce
Oakville Chamber of Commerce
Burlington Public Library
Halton Hills Public Library
Milton Public Library
HalTech
HIEC
Member of the Greater Toronto
Marketing Alliance
Member of the Ontario Culinary
Tourism Alliance
Member of the Ontario Clean
Technology Alliance
 Printed on 100% post consumer fibre.
LPS-14015