Huawei to invest $303M across Ontario as part of five-year expansion plan
by Canadian Manufacturing.com Staff
Chinese ICT company will establish research labs in Markham, Waterloo, scale up its footprint in Ottawa
Huawei has announced plans to invest $303 million through an expansion program called 5G Ontario.
MARKHAM, Ont.—Huawei Canada is doubling down on its investment in Ontario.
The Chinese information and communications technology company, which has quickly become one of the world’s leading electronics makers, has announced plans to invest $303 million in the province through a major research and development project dubbed 5G Ontario.
“We are excited about expanding our research and development facilities in Ontario,” Ken Hu, deputy chairman of Huawei Technologies, said. “The province has a vibrant innovation ecosystem that we are proud to be a part of for the past six years.
“Our Canadian research team is helping to drive pioneering projects around the world, and this accelerated investment in the Province of Ontario reflects our confidence in Ontario, and the talent of Ontario’s skilled ICT workforce.”
Ont. Premier Kathleen Wynne announces the investment At Huawei’s Canadian headquarters in Markham. PHOTO: Government of Ontario
Announcing the project March 8 at the company’s Canadian headquarters in Markham, Ont., Premier Kathleen Wynne said 5G Ontario will grow the economy and create good jobs.
The up to $303 million investment will allow Huawei to establish new research labs in Markham and Waterloo, as well as expand its existing research facility in Ottawa. The initiative is also expected to create 250 new jobs over the next five years. Huawei’s main research goals in Canada include developing faster Internet speeds and improving offshoot technologies such as cloud computing, data analytics and mobile security.
“Huawei’s investment in Ontario is a huge vote of confidence in our province’s talented workforce and world-class innovation ecosystems,” Brad Duguid, Ontario’s minister of Economic Development, Employment and Infrastructure, said. “We are committed to strategically partnering with innovative companies like Huawei because they are growing our economy and providing good jobs that people can count on.”
The Ontario government is contributing $16 million to the project through the Jobs and Prosperity Fund.
