A diverse, talented and growing talent pool, and industry-leading research and development have made Toronto a global hub for technology and innovation. The city is home to the largest technology hub in Canada and third largest in North America, with 24,000 companies and 289,000 technology workers.
The Toronto Region’s technology industry is powered by over 285,000 skilled workers, making it one of the largest technology hubs in the world. The number of individuals working in tech-specific occupations has grown more than 25 per cent over the last five years, the highest growth in North America.
| Market | Technology Talent Total | Percent Change (2016–2021) |
|---|---|---|
| San Fransico Bay Area | 407,810 | 23% |
| New York Metro | 371,030 | 11% |
| Toronto | 285,700 | 29% |
| Washington, D.C. | 265,240 | 7% |
| Los Angeles/Orange County | 249,620 | 17% |
San Francisco Bay Area, Toronto and Montreal were the standout markets for technology talent job creation, adding 75,020, 63,800 and 51,500 more technology talent jobs.
| Market | Technology Degrees | Technology Jobs Added | Jobs Minus Degrees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto | 32,395 | 63,800 | 31,405 |
| Vancouver | 15,268 | 45,200 | 29,932 |
| Seattle | 26,252 | 51,500 | 25,248 |
Toronto was the top market in North America, with the creation of 31,405 more tech talent jobs than graduates.
| Occupation | Employed (2022) | Growth (2017–2022) |
|---|---|---|
| Software Developers & Programmers | 101,800 | 58.3% |
| Computer Support, Database & Systems | 126,100 | 26.2% |
| Computer & Information Systems Managers | 33,900 | 25.1% |
| Technology Engineering-Related | 23,900 | -21.9% |
| Sales | 70,000 | -6.8% |
| Administrative & Office Support | 194,900 | -2.8% |
| Business Operations & Finance | 160,800 | 30.9% |
| Marketing | 90,200 | 55.5% |
Source: Scoring Tech Talent 2023 by CBRE
Ontario’s publicly-funded colleges and universities are among the best and most innovative in the world. More than 400,000 students are enrolled across 18 institutions, accounting for 75 per cent of Ontario’s overall post-secondary enrolment. Governments at all levels are developing integrated strategies to prepare students to succeed in a fast-paced economy that demands talent for technology and knowledge-based jobs.
Canada leads the G7 for the most educated workforce and 67 per cent of Toronto Region’s population have a post-secondary degree. Students excel in programs relevant to knowledge-based and technology-intensive businesses, with more STEM degree holders than San Francisco, Boston, Austin and any other region in Canada.
Canada has a long history of supporting research in artificial intelligence (AI). The Toronto-based Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR) first introduced the Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and Society program in 1983. Today, CIFAR is leading the Government of Canada’s $440M Pan-Canadian Artificial Intelligence Strategy, the world’s first national AI strategy focused on supporting research and developing talent.
Ontario and Quebec are working together on the SCALE.AI Supercluster Initiative, which will leverage $260M in federal and provincial funding to build intelligent AI supply chains and better connect businesses and researchers.
In addition:
The Toronto Region is rapidly expanding many programs in applied artificial intelligence to fuel its growing demand for AI talent. Major international companies are establishing R&D labs in the Toronto Region to take advantage of this deep pool of knowledge to develop new commercial applications.
In 2017, the Government of Canada launched a $125M Pan-Canadian Artificial Intelligence Strategy to support the advancement of AI in Canada. In partnership with the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR), the strategy aimed to build a strong Canadian talent pipeline and ecosystem, through the establishment of centres for research, innovation and training. Through the first phase of the strategy, CIFAR worked with partners to establish Canada’s three National AI Institutes – Vector Institute (Toronto), Amii (Edmonton) and Mila (Montréal).
In June 2022, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry François-Philippe Champagne announced the launch of the second phase of the AI strategy with a $443.8M investment over the next ten years. The second phase of the strategy will continue to attract and retain talent but will also focus on the commercialization and standardization of AI. The strategy will support business-led innovation and commercialization, advanced AI computing capacity and AI standard development.
The Toronto Region is alive with enablers of innovation and a network of innovation hubs – incubators, accelerators and coworking spaces that offer programs designed to advance entrepreneurial ambition and generate globally competitive enterprises. With over 2,000 technology startups spread across the region, Toronto is a magnet for entrepreneurs and has a growing ecosystem of networks that support R&D and commercialization.
View the City’s list of Accelerators, Incubators and Coworking Spaces located in Toronto.
The City of Toronto is seeking Toronto-region tech and innovation companies to take part in the Toronto Innovation Showcase at Trend Hunter’s Future Festival World Summit 2025, a global innovation event.
Future Festival attracts global brands, investors, and industry leaders. Selected companies will receive free access to participate in this high-profile event, including a demo/activation space, up to three evening event passes, and promotion through Future Festival’s official channels.
The City of Toronto is looking for standout Toronto companies that:
Priority sectors include:
The City encourages applications from equity-deserving companies and innovators, including those who identify as women, black, indigenous, racialized or part of other underrepresented groups.
To apply or for more information, please email Jagdish Yadav, Sector Development Office at jagdish.yadav@toronto.ca by August 10.