Pearson Economic Zone
Toronto Pearson makes
local business global
The Pearson Economic Zone is critical to the Canadian economy and its global competitiveness.
It includes the area surrounding Toronto Pearson, spanning the five municipalities of Mississauga, Toronto, Brampton, Vaughan and Caledon.
The Pearson Economic Zone is the heart of Canada’s economy
Over 500,000 people are employed in the zone – it is home to 1 in 7 jobs in the Toronto Region.
With 18,000+ businesses spanning across 200 km² it is the largest industrial employment zone in Canada.
Generating $70.6B annually, it represents 7% of Ontario’s GDP.
1 in 10 businesses in Ontario are located in the zone.
Between 2016 and 2024, Toronto Pearson and the surrounding Economic Zone has increased the number of jobs at the airport and contributed more than ever to our provincial GDP.
2016
Number of people employed in the PEZ
400K
Number of people employed at the airport
49K
Injected annually into provincial economy (6.3% of Ontario's GDP)
$42B
2024
Number of people employed in the PEZ (1 in 7 from the GTA employed in the zone)
500K
Number of people employed at the airport
52K
Injected annually into provincial economy (7% of Ontario's GDP)
$70.6B
Economic Highlights
The Pearson Economic Zone is the 2nd largest economic centre in Canada.
Economic data:
500,000 jobs are in the Pearson Economic Zone – 1 in 7 jobs in the Greater Toronto Area
The largest employment area in Canada at 200 km2
7% of Ontario’s GDP is generated in the Pearson Economic Zone - $70.6B in 2023
18,000 businesses are in the Pearson Economic Zone – 1 in 10 business in Ontario
Manufacturing Powerhouse
The Pearson Economic Zone has the largest concentration of manufacturing in Canada and amongst the largest in North America.
- Food and Beverage
- 18,000+ people
- generates $2.5B+
- Automobile
- 12,500+ people
- generates $1.7B+
- Construction and Infrastucture
- 12,000+ people
- generates $1.7B+
- Aerospace
- 6,600+ people
- generates $1B+
- Life Sciences
- 5,500+ people
- generates $1.5B+
- Packaging
- 5,500+ people
- generates $670+
Major Sectors
The Pearson Economic Zone is home to diverse sectors, which supply our local, provincial, and Canadian economies.
- Largest concentration of manufacturing companies in North America
- 92,500+ people
- generates $14B+
- 2,100 firms
- Knowledge-base sector of head offices, engineering, technology and creative firms
- 170,000+ people
- range of office parks
- Transportation and warehouse
- 70,000+ people
- generates 54.5% of Ontario's GDP
- generates $2.5B+
- Home-base for construction
- 45,000+ people
- generates $12.1B+
- 1,700+ firms
Employees
Food & beverages
17,500+
Automotive
12,500+
Packaging
5,500+
Machinery
Tooling
5,500+
Aerospace
6,500+
Construction
infrastructure
12,500+
Pharmaceuticals
4,500+
A critical concentration and diversity of sectors that drives innovation
The largest concentration of manufacturing companies in North America, 92,500+ employees in 2,100+ firms, generating $14B in GDP.
A transportation and warehousing sector that represents 54.5% of Ontario’s GDP for the sector, employing 70,000+ people across 4,100+ firms.
The home-base for construction in Ontario, that employs 45,000+ people across 1,700+ firms generating $12.1B in GDP.
A knowledge-base sector of head offices, engineering, technology and creative firms that employ 170,000+ across a range of office parks.
A diverse network of well-known, globally competitive manufacturers and innovative Ontario-based small and medium-sized manufacturers call the Pearson Economic Zone home.
1 in 8 Ontario manufacturing jobs are located in the zone
Food and beverage processing employs 18,000+ and contributes $2.5B in GDP, while being an important customer of agricultural products grown and raised in Ontario.
Automotive manufacturing employs 12,500+, generating $1.7B in GDP, with ¾ of those employees focused on parts, components and tooling, with the remainder at Stellantis’ Brampton Assembly Plant.
Construction and infrastructure manufacturing in the zone feeds local and global demand for building materials, employing 12,000+ people and realizing $1.7B in GDP.
Home to Ontario’s aerospace manufacturing hub, 6,600+ people contribute nearly $1B in GDP innovating aerospace and space technologies.
From medical devices to pharmaceutical manufacturing, the life sciences sector employs 5,500+ people and generates $1.5B in GDP.
Packaging manufacturing employs 5,500+ people and is critical to supporting all of the manufacturing sectors located in the Pearson Economic Zone.
