Rural Ontario is where manufacturers make the products we rely on, natural resources become the building blocks for economic growth, businesses create jobs and industries support markets around the world.
From energy and mining to tourism, forestry, agriculture and manufacturing, rural Ontario helps power our economy, contributing $117.8 billion to Ontario’s GDP.
Representing 96% of the province’s land area, rural Ontario is home to 2.5 million people and more than 275,000 businesses, supporting 1.2 million jobs.
Through our government’s $20 million Rural Ontario Development Program, we’re encouraging investment, helping businesses grow, strengthening communities and building local economies.
During Rural Ontario Week, we’re celebrating the people, businesses and one-of-a-kind places that make rural Ontario a great place to live, work and raise a family