An Act to proclaim the City of Ottawa as the high-tech capital of Ontario

Preamble

The high-tech sector is an integral part of the Canadian economy. In the Ottawa-Carleton Region, popularly known as "Silicon Valley North", over 1,000 high-tech companies generate revenues that total approximately 12 billion dollars a year. Many of these companies have become major players in the global high-tech marketplace.

Over the past ten years, the Ottawa-Carleton Region has made tremendous progress in becoming a hub for high-tech industry. Jobs in the high-tech sector have grown by 754 per cent since 1976.

By virtue of the City of Ottawa Act, 1999, on January 1, 2001, the Ottawa-Carleton Region shall become the new City of Ottawa. On this same day, it would be appropriate to officially recognize and designate the City as the high-tech capital of Ontario. This designation represents the Province's continued commitment to work with the new City of Ottawa to develop and further this status, so that the City and Ontario continue to be recognized around the world as a vital location for both the establishment and development of high-tech industry. It also acknowledges that future growth and prosperity in the high-tech industry will be recognized and fostered for the benefit of all Ontarians.

Therefore, Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, enacts as follows:

High-tech capital of Ontario

1. The City of Ottawa is proclaimed as the high-tech capital of Ontario.

Commencement

2. This Act comes into force on January 1, 2001.

Short title

3. The short title of this Act is the High-Tech Capital of Ontario Act, 2000.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Bill proclaims the City of Ottawa as the high-tech capital of Ontario.