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The City of Mississauga is part of the largest labour force market in Canada, the Toronto Region. Within the region, employees can be recruited from a large population base of over 5.4 million people aged 15 years and above. Based on the magnitude and diversity of the industrial and commercial base located in Mississauga, this city has become one of the most significant employment growth centres in the region.
Overview: Toronto Region
Labour Force
0
Population
0
Students
0
One of North America's Most Educated Talent Pools
The Toronto Region is home to a large labour force including 5.4 million people and over 400,000 students. Collectively, the region has a large number of residents with at least a bachelor’s degree, ranking near the top among other major North American regions in terms of the total educated workforce. As a percent of the total population aged 25 or more, 34 percent of the population in the region has at least a bachelor’s degree.¹
¹ E& Y Technology & Innovation FDI Strategy Project, 2020
All remaining information pulled from Toronto Global Data, 2018
Workforce Education
64%
Population have a post-secondary
degree or diploma
620,000
Workers have some
form of STEM degree
The Toronto Region has a very highly educated populated, with more post-secondary degrees per 100,000 people than major U.S. metros. Canada has also been repeatedly recognized for having the most educated population in the OECD, and the region is home to many of the nation’s best schools.
Thanks to our immigration policies that prioritize highly skilled workers, and a strong talent pipeline generated by our universities and colleges, employers here have access to the best and brightest from around the world.
As one of the leading jurisdictions for education in the world, Ontario understands the needs of the future and has been making a targeted investment in K-12 in one area in particular: science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
K-12 Workforce of Tomorrow
The number of K-12 graduates has increased significantly in Ontario over the last several years. We have raised our high school graduation rate from 68% in 2003 to 86.5% in 2016, translating into an additional 217,000 graduates.
High School Assessment Scores
Ontario students continue to outperform their U.S. counterparts and the OECD average in all three PISA domains: science, reading, and mathematics. Ontario’s 15 year-olds ranked in the top 10 globally in science and reading, according to the 2015 PISA results
Toronto Global, 2016 & 2017 Data
Workforce Cost
High Quality Labour at a Low Cost. Salaries in the Toronto Region are cost competitive with most U.S. cities and include further cost savings for employers due to a public healthcare system. Average salaries for STEM talent are also significantly lower than major markets across the United States at similar or higher levels of education and training.
Average Annual Salaries for Key Occupations ($USD)
| Occupation | Minneapolis (MN) | Houston (TX) | Louisville (KY) | Toronto (ON) | Monterrey (MX) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Mechanical Engineer |
$110,807 |
$113,822 |
$99,921 |
$89,830 |
$26,124 |
|
Electrical Engineer |
$120,932 |
$124,223 |
$109,052 |
$98,048 |
$28,517 |
1 Peso = $0.053 USD, $1 CDN = $0.76 USD
SEE FULL COMPARISON LIST
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Economic Research Institute Salary Assessor, February 2020 Data
Educational Institutions
Ontario’s publicly-funded colleges and universities are among the best and most innovative in the world. Boasting 32 colleges and universities within an hour’s drive — the Toronto Region harbours an exceptional range of highly-ranked post-secondary institutions. More than 400,000 students are enrolled across these institutions, accounting for 75 per cent of Ontario’s overall post-secondary enrolment.¹
We are building the workforce of the future.
Governments at all levels are developing integrated strategies to prepare students to succeed in a fast-paced economy that demands talent for technology and knowledge-based jobs. For businesses looking to be on the cutting edge, there has never been a better time to look at Mississauga and the Toronto Region.
| Located in Mississauga |
|---|
250+
Public Elementary
& High Schools
150+
Catholic Elementary
& High Schools
30+
Private Elementary
& High Schools
University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM)
The University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM) is part of Canada’s largest university which is also one of the most highly respected research institutions in North America.
Sheridan College
Sheridan Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning Hazel McCallion Campus houses state-of-the art classrooms, studios, labs and production spaces, and a Centre for Creative Thinking.
Mohawk College
Opened in 2022, Mohawk College has partnered with triOS College to deliver future ready programs. This opportunity provides local and international students with a quality academic experience, with class schedules that provide flexibility while they study.
| Within a 1 Hour Drive |
|---|
15
Universities
- Algoma University
- Brock University
- Laurentian University
- McMaster University
- Nipissing University
- Ontario College of Art & Design
- Ryerson University
- Trent University
- University of Guelph
- University of Ontario Institute of Technology
- University of Ottawa
- University of Toronto
- University of Waterloo
- Wilfrid Laurier University
- York University
17
Colleges
- Cambrian College
- Canadore College
- Centennial College
- Collège Boréal
- Conestoga College
- Durham College
- Fanshawe College
- George Brown College
- Georgian College
- Humber College
- La Cité Collégiale
- Michener Institute
- Mohawk College
- Niagara College
- Sheridan College
- Seneca College
- St. Clair College
¹ Toronto Global, 2018
All remaining information pulled from City of Mississauga Data
Immigration & Diversity
#1
Most diverse population
in the world
35%
of Toronto Region residents
are born outside of Canada
Mississauga and the Toronto Region know first hand that diversity and inclusion lead to creativity, innovation, and economic growth. Our inclusiveness, our openness to newcomers, and our singular ability to produce, attract, and retain first-rate local and international talent, across all sectors is something we’re proud of. Immigration is essential to our prosperity. Mississauga and the region’s diversity is our strength.
Canada’s immigration policies are straight-forward, predictable and fast, making it easy to bring in the best talent from around the world. Most work permits are issued on a temporary basis initially, but there are many pathways to permanent residency once you have worked in Canada for more than one year.
Welcome New Immigrants
The region welcomes more than 100,000 new immigrants every year, accounting for a third of Canada's total immigration inflow.
International Students
Ontario welcomes more than 105,000 international students enrolled in its educational institutions studying a wide array of programs and courses.
Global Skills Strategy
Canada’s Global Skills Strategy (GSS), a fast-track visa program that makes it easier for companies to bring in highly-skilled temporary foreign workers. GSS offers 10 business day work permit processing for such talent.
Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) creates permanent immigration pathways for technology workers and entrepreneurs. The Government provides increased talent attraction services and programs for employers.
Toronto Global, 2016 & 2017 Data
Incentives
Mississauga and Ontario are committed to supporting your business. We’ve gathered a list of incentives that cover a wide array of topics. Whether you’re training employees or hiring new staff, you can access these incentives through Provincial and Federal Government programs that address your needs.
Co-Operative Education
Co-ops provide students with up to two years of field specific work experience while they are earning their degrees. They are also supported by a provincial tax credit that would allow businesses to claim 25% of salaries and wages paid to a student on a work placement.
Technology & Learning Fund
Creates new opportunities for students to learn coding and other computer skills through extracurricular coding clubs and programs like FIRST Robotics Canada, which is a robotics competition for elementary and high school students that saw approximately 65,000 Ontario students participate.
Ontario Health Insurance Plan
OHIP is a government program that covers Ontario residents for visits to the doctor, hospital visits, medical surgeries, basic prescriptions, child delivery and other services. Employers benefit in terms of employee health and benefits costs.
Canada-Ontario Job Grant
Supports the cost of employee training; Employers must contribute one-third of the total costs. Training must be delivered by an eligible, third-party trainer. You may receive up to $10,000 in government support per person for training costs.
Government of Canada, Ontario & City of Mississauga, 2018 Data
Interested in learning more about our talent?
Don’t just hear it from us
Janet Wardle
Janet is the President & CEO of MHI Canada Aerospace Inc. – a Tier 1 manufacturer of major aircraft structures and assemblies. Janet shares her experience including the talent advantages of being located in Mississauga.