Canadian customs agents inspect shipments in UPS Canada's Hamilton, Ontario, facility.

Vancouver Ranks High
in Quality of Life

Vancouver, which seems to have avoided significant recession-related malaise, was recently ranked No. 2 in overall quality of life in a survey by the William M. Mercer human resources consulting firm. Mercer cites Vancouver for a variety of factors including political and social environment, education and housing.
        Vancouver has fared better during the recession than most of Canada because of its diverse economy, says Linda Thorstad, executive director of the Vancouver Economic Development Commission. This array of industry includes information technology, biotechnology, tourism, film/television, new media and financial services.
        "Because of our central location between Europe and Asia, there is increasing interest in locating here," Thorstad says. "Our technology sector is growing because of strong R&D at our universities."
        Thorstad says Vancouver boasts a core capability in each industry sector and a multinational, multilingual work force. "Vancouver's quality of life is a proven draw for young technical talent from across Canada," she says.
        Highlighting the recent Vancouver news is the gift of an 18.6-acre (7.5-ha.) parcel by Finning International to four British Columbia higher-learning institutions. Finning International sells, rents, finances and provides services for Caterpillar equipment and engines in Western Canada, the U.K. and Chile. The land, which encompasses six city blocks in Vancouver, goes to The British Columbia Institute of Technology, Emily Carr Institute of Art & Design, Simon Fraser University and the University of British Columbia. who plan to create a technology center.

"The interesting thing is that there has been more activity from Canada since 9-11. Whether it's a fear that the bridges may go down or something else, Canadian manufacturers want a presence in the U.S."

Canadian Companies Eye U.S. Locations

In Niagara County, New York, recent efforts center on attracting companies in Ontario that are looking to establish a nearby U.S. presence. The Niagara County Industrial Development Agency (NCIDA) acquired a small industrial park a couple of years ago, and 95 percent of its tenants are Canadian firms. Operations range from warehouse and distribution to manufacturing to information technology.
        "The interesting thing is that there has been more activity from Canada since 9-11," says John Simon, NCIDA executive director. "Whether it's a fear that the bridges may go down or something else, Canadian manufacturers want a presence in the U.S."
        Simon says last September's terrorist acts caused an immediate drop in commercial cross-border trade, but trade has since rebounded significantly. Electronic pre-processing of goods has speeded movement, he says.
        The border crossing from Detroit, Mich., into Windsor, Ontario, accounts for about 42 percent of all trade between the two countries and provides a good business barometer..
        "Things are pretty much back to normal," says Paul T. Bondy, development commissioner for the Windsor and Essex County Development Commission. "The economy had already slowed prior to Sept. 11."
        However, a skilled labor pool and good transportation systems are key reasons behind the current rebound. Automotive-related industries account for about 60 percent of manufacturing activity on the Windsor side, which offers a skilled work force of about 55,000 and a family of seven business parks operated by the city.

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