Economy of Ontario

[9] In 2017, Ontario's main international exports were motor vehicles and parts (35.3%), mechanical equipment (10.1%), precious metals and stones (9.8%), electrical machinery (3.9%), and plastic products (3.6%).

[10] Ontario was the leading province for attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) in North America in 2013, with $7.23bn.

[13] As a result of the Jay Treaty in 1793, the fur trade spread to the Northwest and the need for better transport facilities (in addition to the population) grew.

The St. Lawrence became a monopoly route as other regions (like New York) lacked the waterways and rivers needed to transport timber.

[14] All the while, the demand for wheat and other agricultural products was growing, but was subjected to considerably greater competition from other regions, and the livestock and dairy industries, in addition to banks, which began to flourish.

[13] In the early 20th century, Western Canada swelled with the influx of immigrant populations, and Ontario made the shift from being an export to domestic economy: the exported butter and cheese industry shifted into the milk industry for domestic consumption, winter dairying expanded, and the Ontario's apple industry declined in exports but increased consumption in Ontario and Western Canada.

[13] In this time period, rail lines were constructed across Ontario and that the economy shifted toward greater industrialism and tapping into mineral resources—the mining, pulp and paper, and agriculture industries (in addition to hydro-electric power development) grew, and led to the growth of towns.

Further industrial growth (which included those such as road construction, automobile factories, and the tourist trade) were encouraged by the war period.

[25] The extraction of metallic minerals is concentrated in Northern Ontario, while the southern portion of the province produces salt, gypsum, lime, nepheline syenite and structural materials (sand, gravel, stone), along with some petroleum.

[26] Derisory fees are charged by the government for prospecting licences ($25.50)[27] and exploration permits (nil),[28] in keeping with the duty of economic development of the province.

The exploration permit process is meant as a means to notify interested parties, such as surface landowners, of the activities of miners.

There is also a significant maritime industry in Ontario in spite of its position mid-continent as it benefits from the Great Lakes, Welland Canal and St. Lawrence Seaway.