See this page online at: http://www.bioscienceworld.ca/TheBenefitsofSettingupShopinOntarioQA
Sign up for your subscription and keep up-to-date.
Stay updated on the latest news and technologies with Bioscienceworld's newsletters.
Five to choose from.
By Tonya Costoff
#1: Mark D. Kershey
Q: What keeps you here in Ontario, what are the benefits?
A: Ontario has a rich technology sector and has a provincial government sponsored mandate to expand the technology sector. Our company Spartan Bioscience Inc. was founded in Ottawa, ON due to the depth of optical engineering skills in the area combined with a deep pool of product development and manufacturing entities. We work with the Ontario Centres of Excellence, The Ministry of Economic Development & Trade (MEDT) and the Ministry of Research and Innovation. These resources are well versed in assisting early stage companies and provide supporting programs of benefit to early stage companies. With these organizations and programs right here we have had no desire to look elsewhere in Ontario or even farther afield to establish our business.
Q: In the future, do you see yourself staying here
in Ontario? If so, why?
A: We do not foresee a departure for another Canadian or international destination. The governmental programs and business partners we have identified are world class and suit our needs very well. For this reason the effort to even evaluate a different location for our business would not be the best uses of our resources. We plan to generate economic benefit within the province of Ontario.
#2: Neil Emery
Position: Associate Professor, Biology &
Director, Environmental & Life Sciences
Graduate Program
Company/University: Trent University
Are You an Ex-Pat? Yes- I spent five years in Calgary (for PhD) (1989-94), four and a half years in Perth, Western Australia (94-98) and two years in Dijon, France (98-2000), and then I came to Trent University in 2000.
Q: What keeps you here in Ontario, what are the benefits?
A: I didn’t quite fully appreciate the beauty of Ontario living until I spent time away. I actually took citizenship in Australia and was settled. However, I missed a lot of things about Canada and Ontario, in particular. My dream job was to have the freedom and connections to pursue my research interests on one hand, and the wilderness and watershed to enjoy my life on the other. Living in Peterborough, I can bike to work in 15 minutes, put in an intense day in the office or lab and then zip home at a decent hour to enjoy my family life. On Fridays, you will find a canoe on my car roof so I can leave work and be on a lake in the middle of nowhere within an hour. I basically live in cottage country. The beauty of the land draws me in, but we have downtown Toronto only one and a half hours away for all the entertainment we care to take in. It works for business too. Nothing in Southern Ontario is very far away. Toronto is an international powerhouse and peripheral researchers are linked to it by Regional Innovation Networks (RIN). The Peterborough Innovation Cluster is my local RIN, and they have played a pivotal role in connecting me with industry partners in other parts of Ontario, as well as collaborators in Japan. There is a strong attitude to tap into for matching and supporting research and business initiatives. I’m really pleased with the way things have developed in the last seven years.
Q: Have you ever considered leaving Ontario to continue your work/research elsewhere? Have you been actively pursued by anyone/any region?
A: It’s always on my mind, as I never got rid of the travel bug- and I like to day-dream about it. But setting up international collaborations helps alleviate some of this. I need a balanced life too. An offer of twice as much research funding would be pretty tempting, but if the city doesn’t have the same lifestyle benefits, I wouldn’t be thinking of it for very long.
Q: In the future, do you see yourself staying here in Ontario? Why?
A: I have a lot of momentum here - I feel settled and, well, basically happy about the whole package. Realistically I can’t see myself moving anywhere else for quite a while.
#3: Ario Khoshbin
Position: Managing Director
Company: Prollenium Medical Technologies Inc.
Q: What keeps you here in Ontario, what are the benefits?
A: I grew up in the area I work in so its home for me. I also think that Canada provides all of the amenities for running a business including highly trained employees and access to the world’s biggest market.
Q: Have you ever considered leaving Ontario to continue your work/research elsewhere? Have you been actively pursued by anyone/any region?
A: Yes. We have considered leaving for warmer climates but something always keeps us here.
Q: In the future, do you see yourself staying here in Ontario? Why?
A: For many reasons work related and non-work related included. My family and friends are here, and this is where I grew up. I also think that Ontario is a great place to raise kids and have a family.
#4: William J. Gastle
Position: Chairman and CEO
Company: Microbix
“Ontario is a convenient location to work internationally. It is also where I was raised and have lived most of my life.
Microbix is pursued by other regions constantly for relocation. Having worked in other countries early in my career, there are some advantages offered that are of interest. However, the head office and base business will stay in Ontario.
I believe most of Microbix’ business developed in Ontario will stay here. New initiatives that are based on other countries may have to reside outside of Canada. However, the starting position is to have new businesses established here.”
