Business Costs

Choose Whitby for lower business costs than most U.S. centres and competitors

Whitby's business costs are competitive with significant real estate savings placing Whitby ahead of its northern and western GTA competitors for industrial land, office/industrial lease rates and residential housing.

• Office lease rates approx. 15% lower
• Industrial land prices approx. 65%-70% lower
• Detached house prices are approx. 35%-50% lower

Canada is ranked second, as the most cost effective location, among nine industrial countries in a 2012 KPMG survey. The survey examined 17 industry operations in 112 cities throughout Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Business costs are lower than most U.S. centres and key competitors with the biggest savings on skilled labour and land costs. Canada's cost index of 95.0 represents a 5.0% cost advantage over the United States baseline (US=100).

Whitby's business costs advantages include:

Wages

For information on average wages for over 450 occupations in the GTA, visit the Government of Canada's Wage Report.

Utilities

Whitby's hydro, natural gas, waste and water and sanitary services are very cost competitive. Whitby's utility providers have solid reputations for quality and service. Visit Utilities for detailed information on approximate charges, user rates, and more.

Labour Costs

Of the G7 countries, Canada has the lowest total labour costs. Canada has a 3% average per employee cost advantage over Italy, its closest competitor, and an 11% advantage over the United States (Source: 2010 KPMG The Competitive Alternatives). Visit Labour Costs for information on the benefit costs for Ontario's employers. 

Tax Rates

Ontario's corporate income tax rate (provincial and federal combined) is lower than any U.S. state, Japan or France. Ontario's employer payroll tax rates (pension, health and unemployment in total) are also the lowest of all G7 countries. Whitby has lower commercial tax rates compared to Toronto, Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo and Hamilton. The 13% Harmonized Sales Tax (HST), introduced on July 1, 2010, also provides tax credits for sales tax paid on many capital investments. For more information, visit Taxes & Development Charges.

Real Estate

Residential

Whitby has the lowest median home sale prices when compared to GTA communities to its west and north. Visit Housing for housing prices in Whitby compared to neighbouring communities in the GTA.

Office

Office lease rates in GTA East, which includes Whitby, are lower than other parts of the GTA. The following table illustrates comparative office lease rates in GTA East, GTA North and GTA West for Q2 2012:

 (Source:  CBRE, Q2 2012)

Industrial

Similarly, Whitby's industrial lease rates and inventory of Class A industrial space makes it competitive with other GTA communities.  The following table illustrates their comparative industrial lease rates for Q2 2012:

(Source:  CBRE, Q2 2012)

Industrial land prices in Whitby are 65% - 70% lower compared to Markham and Mississauga.  Comparative industrial land costs in Whitby, Markham and Mississauga (cost per acre) are illustrated below:

(Source:   Royal LePage Frank Real Estate Q2 2012)

Building Permits

Construction value of building permits in 2012 was almost $300 million.  For information on building permit construction values from 2008-2012, visit Building Activity. Download an online building permit application at www.whitby.ca or call Whitby's Building & By-Law Services Division at 905.430.4305.

Financial Incentives

Financial incentives can help offset hiring and job training costs for your labour force. Visit Financial Incentives for information on a range of programs that assist employers in hiring qualified individuals, and applying for reimbursements for eligible expenditures or refundable tax credits.

Development Charges

In November 2012, Whitby lowered its Non-Residential Use (Industrial) Development Charges to give it a competitive advantage over other GTA municipalities. For more information, visit Taxes & Development Charges.