ITAC Supports ON 2017 Budget to Grow Digital Gov’t, Health and Talent

Media Advisory

April 27, 2017

 Ontario 2017 Budget Makes Important Moves to Grow Digital Government, Health and Talent

Mississauga, ON – The Information Technology Association of Canada (ITAC) is pleased that the 2017 Ontario budget announced today made some important moves to support the growth of the ICT industry in Ontario with growth in Digital Government, Health and Talent.

“One of the biggest tech sector takeaways from today’s budget is a significant investment in growing talent, noted Robert Watson, President and CEO, ITAC. “Getting the right talent is one of the biggest challenges for Ontario ICT companies and with the government’s investments in work integrated learning programs, when matched with new federal initiatives is great news. ITAC looks forward to supporting these efforts.”

Key Highlights for the Ontario ICT industry include:

  • Work Integrated Learning: Launch of a $190M Career Kick-Start Strategy, and $68M Career Ready Fund, to support new work integrated learning opportunities for K-12 and post-secondary students.
  • Ontario Digital Service: Ontario’s new Chief Digital Officer will create a new Ontario Digital Service focused on internships and co-op placements at the new ODS outpost at Communitech.
  • Implementation of Business Growth Initiative: New details on scale-up programs announced in 2016, as well as investments in emerging ICT areas including AI, 5G, Quantum Technologies, Advanced Computing, and Autonomous Vehicles, Fintech and Cyber Security.
  • E-Referrals and E-Consults: $245M to expand health specialist e-consultations and e-referral programs province wide.
  • The budget includes no tax policy changes for ICT firms including corporate tax rates or value of R&D tax credits.

“Technology is the key to delivering better public services to Canadians. It is great to see the government realizing this and making investments to support innovative digital government and e-health,” continued Watson.

Full Budget

About ITAC:  As Canada’s national ICT business association, ITAC champions the development of a robust and sustainable digital economy in Canada. A prominent advocate for the expansion of Canada’s innovative capacity, ITAC encourages technology adoption to capitalize on productivity and performance. A member-driven not-for-profit, ITAC has served as the authoritative national voice of the $170 billion ICT industry. More than 36,000 Canadian ICT firms create and supply goods and services that contribute to a more productive, competitive, and innovative society. The ICT sector generates over one million jobs directly and indirectly and invests $4.9 billion annually in R&D, more than any other private sector performer.