During a round-table discussion, The Honourable Kathleen Wynne, Premier of Ontario was joined by eighteen leaders representing the city’s innovation economy and local knowledge-based businesses. It was the Premier’s first visit to Ottawa’s economic development agency and the group took full advantage of the 60 minutes to discuss the city’s role as an economic engine for Ontario and Canada.

Speaking with business & innovation leaders @Invest_Ottawa about how we’re supporting Ontario’s knowledge economy. pic.twitter.com/r2sr3qcJR8

— Kathleen Wynne (@Kathleen_Wynne) April 1, 2016

A wide range of topics were covered: Ottawa’s key role as the second largest economy in the province, the talent springing from local world-class, post-secondary institutions, how to cultivate more employment of women in technology and the city’s role during the province’s transfer to a knowledge-based economy. After the meeting, Premier Wynne spoke to a dozen members of the media, highlighting the considerable growth that Ottawa’s businesses have achieved in recent years and the thousands of jobs created by the local economy.

“The only way we can have job creation around this province, is to work with businesses to make sure they have the right conditions to expand and hire people”

Kathleen Wynne, Premier of Ontario

Many of the round-table participants said they appreciated the Premier acknowledging the contributions of Ottawa’s private sector and their main message: the city’s technology sectors are rapidly growing and primed to be a major component of the innovation economy.

With technology workers currently employed at record highs, it is vital to attract the best possible people, both within Canada and Internationally, branding Ottawa and Ontario as the most desirable place to live and work in the world.

Allan Wille, CEO of Klipfolio