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Invest in Hamilton February 2025 Newsletter

The February 2025 newsletter from Invest in Hamilton highlights key developments, including Porter Airlines' new daily flights from Hamilton, updates on trade and tariffs, and celebrations of Black History Month. It also showcases the achievements of the Hamilton Immigration Partnership Council and the Economic Development team.

Feb 28, 2025

Business Community Partners Newsletter

It is hard to believe February is already behind us.

While it is important to be mindful of the challenges we continue to confront in the face of international uncertainty and looming March tariffs, it is equally important to celebrate Hamilton’s achievements.

In addition to providing a monthly update on trade and tariffs, this month’s Economic Development newsletter recaps Porter Airlines’ major investment in the City of Hamilton, showcases the important work undertaken by the Hamilton Immigration Partnership Council, and acknowledges the tireless efforts and achievements of Economic Development’s staff.

On behalf of the Economic Development team, I invite you to learn more about our achievements. Please feel free to follow this link to connect with me or my team members.

 

Norm Schleehahn
Director, Economic Development
City of Hamilton

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In this issue

  1. February’s Trade and Tariff Update
  2. Porter Airlines to Take Flight from Hamilton
  3. Hamilton Celebrates Black History Month
  4. February’s Global Hamilton Round-Up
  5. Opportunities to Animate Hamilton’s West Harbour
  6. Mayor and Council Honour Economic Development Team

February's Trade and Tariff Update

As Canada and the world wait to learn more about proposed United States tariffs, the Hamilton Economic Development Team has been working with our partners at the Flamborough, Hamilton, and Stoney Creek Chambers of Commerce to ensure clear lines of communication between the public and private sectors.

In late January, this partnership launched a trade and tariff knowledge hub at investinhamilton.ca/tariffs. This hub has been regularly updated with the latest reports and information from various sources.

For example, in February, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce’s Business Data Lab assessed the potential impacts of tariffs on Canada’s Census Metropolitan areas. The Hamilton Census Metropolitan Area, which includes Hamilton, Grimsby, and Burlington, ranked as the country’s 8th most vulnerable region in the face of tariffs. The rationale behind this ranking noted that Hamilton not only manufactures steel, but exports it for use in automotive production, construction, and other manufacturing.

What does that mean for potential job impacts? Economic Development’s manufacturing strategy identifies three major manufacturing subsectors of strength in Hamilton: Steel and Metal Manufacturing, Industrial Machinery and Equipment Manufacturing, and Food and Beverage Manufacturing. Combined, these three subsectors accounted for 27,966 jobs in Hamilton in 2024. In that same year, manufacturing provided work for 42,900 people living in the Hamilton CMA—a figure that places the Hamilton CMA as fourth in Ontario for manufacturing employment.

As potential tariffs already have real employment impacts in Hamilton, Economic Development, in partnership with the Flamborough, Hamilton, and Stoney Creek Chambers of Commerce, is seeking input from the local business community on how tariffs impact their operations.

This link allows you to access the Hamilton Tariff Questionnaire until March 3, 2025. All individual responses will be held in confidence, and an aggregated report will be released later in March 2025.

Complete the Hamilton Tariff Impact Questionnaire
Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath speaking at an event announcing the arrival of Porter Airlines at John C. Munro Hamiton International Airport

Porter Airlines to Take Flight from Hamilton

Starting this summer, Porter Airlines is connecting John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport to some of Canada’s biggest travel destinations.

On February 4, 2025, Porter Airlines announced daily flights between Hamilton and Calgary, Edmonton, Halifax and Vancouver, as well as a multi-million dollar terminal expansion at the Airport. The upgrades are expected to include new and expanded curb canopies, updated terminal interiors, new digital signage, and architectural and design finishes inspired by the region’s natural geography.

On the day of the announcement, Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath noted, “This new partnership is more than just a game changer for our airport…It’s a game changer for our entire community.”

A key pillar in this investment is the landmark 49-year management lease between the City of Hamilton and TradePort International Corporation, which includes $400 million to further develop and expand the John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport.

Learn more about the inaugural schedule taking off this summer through this link.

The Hamilton Immigration Partnership Council (HIPC) joined community members at the kickoff of Black History Month, hosted by Hamilton's Black History Council, and delivered in partnership with Black-led organizations, the City of Hamilton, and the Hamilton Public Library.

Hamilton Celebrates Black History Month

The Hamilton Immigration Partnership Council (HIPC) joined community members at the kickoff of Black History Month, hosted by Hamilton’s Black History Council, and delivered in partnership with Black-led organizations, the City of Hamilton, and the Hamilton Public Library.

Did you know?

    • The Black community in Canada is extremely diverse, representing over 300 different ethnic or cultural origins and more than 450 mother tongues.

    • According to the most recent 2021 census, 4% of Canada’s population or 1.5 million persons in Canada are Black.

    • About 5% of Hamilton’s population identifies as Black.

Stories of Migration and Belonging

This Black History Month, HIPC and Economic Development honour the migration stories of people shaping our community through a digital exhibition hosted by Hamilton Civic Museums.

Meet Safaa, a self-described ‘citizen of the world’. We are pleased to share that since this video was recorded, Safaa has:

  • Graduated with an Honours in Business Marketing (her dream major)
  • Took her first solo trip to Europe!
  • Begun searching for a full-time marketing role

To learn more about Safaa’s journey, please visit the Stories of Migration and Belonging exhibit here.

Text on a blue background reads "Global Hamilton Round Up" in gradient blue, white, and outlined orange letters.

February's Global Hamilton Round-up

Economic Development’s Global Hamilton Office focuses on investment attraction and trade and supports the retention of international entrepreneurs and students who are calling Hamilton home. These efforts are part of a broad, collaborative network of knowledge sharing within the Hamilton business ecosystem. The Global Hamilton Round Up is an extension of that network and provides our readers with a snapshot of Canada-wide opportunities for export, trade missions, and talent.

Export Insights

    • WEBINAR: March 20 | Managing supply chain risks in 2025 | EDC

    • WEBINAR: April 18 |Diversify your global markets to hedge against risks | EDC

    • EVENT: May 28-May 20 | Web Summit Vancouver 2025 and Do Business with Canada program | Trade Commissioner Service

    • RESOURCE: Trade Commissioner Service – Diversifying to New Markets

Talent Insights

    • UPDATE: As of November 2024, international students can work off-campus up to 24 hours per week during academic terms and full-time during breaks.

    • RESOURCE: The Employer’s Roadmap for Hiring and Retaining Internationally Trained Workers

Trade Missions

    • March 17-28: Avalon 2025 Australian International Airshow

    • March 31-April 4: Hannover Messe 2025

    • April 24-26: Ontario ICT Export Business Mission to World IT Show Korea

    • May 5-8: Ontario Automotive Export Business Mission to International Automotive Industry

    • May 21-23: Automotive Export Business Mission to JSAE 2025

Click below for more details on each of these Ontario missions and the full calendars.

Ontario Trade Mission Calendar
Canadian Trade Mission Calendar

If you have any questions regarding these opportunities, please contact Stefa Sokolowski, Business Development and Global Hamilton Officer.

An overhead photo of many boats docked at Hamilton's West Harbour

Opportunities to Animate Hamilton's West Harbour

The City of Hamilton is seeking Requests for Information to animate the Hamilton West Harbour (Bayfront Park to Pier 8) with on-water attractions and/or boating activities.

The West Harbour waterfront is a growing destination with a blend of natural beauty and urban amenities, boasting beautiful parks, well-equipped marinas, public boat launches, and the popular Waterfront Trail. Find the RFI on Bids & Tenders until March 14, 2025.

Hamilton's Economic Development team being honoured at a city council meeting for their award recognitions

Mayor and Council Honour Economic Development Team

Before the formal business of City Council began on January 22, 2025, Mayor Andrea Horwath and City Manager Marnie Cluckie took a few moments to recognize the achievements of the Economic Development Division in 2024. These achievements included:

    • Hamilton’s inclusion in Site Selection Magazine’s annual feature, “Canada’s Top 20 Locations to Invest.”

    • A PlanON award from the Ontario Professional Planners Institute for the City of Hamilton’s Environmental Remediation and Site Enhancement Community Improvement Plan.

    • Judy Lam was named the Brownfielder of the Year by the Canadian Brownfields Network for her decade of service working to revitalize brownfield sites in the City of Hamilton.

  • Two gold awards and two bronze awards from the International Economic Development Council celebrating Hamilton Economic Development’s efforts in marketing, business retention and expansion, international entrepreneur development, and the annual Newcomer Day celebration at City Hall.

The Economic Development Division is humbled and grateful for the recognition from their Council and senior leadership and looks forward to continuing to serve Hamilton’s residents and businesses in 2025.

Would you like to know more?

The Hamilton Economic Development Division serves Hamilton by facilitating sustainable economic and ecological development, which is aligned with the 2022-2026 Council Priorities. This goal is met through the attraction of new businesses, the retention and expansion of existing businesses, and the catalyzing of the creation of quality employment opportunities.

Economic Development serves established businesses, start-ups, and entrepreneurs. For more information about starting or growing a business in Hamilton, please feel free to connect with staff through this link.