Governor Murphy Signs Sister State MOU With Province of Ontario, Facilitated by Choose New Jersey

MOU Focuses on Economic Development and Investment, Workforce Development, Regulatory Cooperation, and Academic Cooperation

Toronto, Ontario — Choose New Jersey, New Jersey’s leading nonprofit business attraction organization, as part of its Governor-led economic mission to Canada, today facilitated a sister state Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the State of New Jersey and the Province of Ontario. 

The MOU is a renewed commitment between New Jersey and Ontario, built upon a 2005 MOU signed in Princeton, New Jersey. The agreement focuses on economic development and investment, workforce development, regulatory cooperation, and academic cooperation. The priority sectors of collaboration are life sciences, advanced manufacturing, information and communication technologies, energy, agri-food technologies, financial services, and sports and tourism. 

“Through this agreement, New Jersey and Ontario will bring together our workers, innovators, students, and entrepreneurs to collaborate on launching new industries and creating new economic opportunities — on both sides of the border,” said New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy. “Above all, this agreement will capitalize on the proud and thriving partnership that our governments and institutions have shared for decades, paving the way for innovation in artificial intelligence, fintech, digital health, and so much more.”

Canada is New Jersey’s top international trading partner, generating over $17.5 billion through bilateral trade each year. In 2023, New Jersey’s economic relationship with Ontario alone accounted for more than one-third of that amount. 

“Ontario and New Jersey have both benefited from a long-standing trade relationship, and this agreement will further strengthen our collaboration, driving economic growth for both jurisdictions,” said Premier Doug Ford. “At a time of global instability, it has never been more important for Ontario and our U.S. partners to work together to create more jobs and prosperity, promote our shared values and protect our shared national security interests. Now is the time to bet big on the U.S.-Canada relationship.”

To view the full MOU, click here.

To read the press release from the Governor’s office, click here.

Reporters interested in more information on the New Jersey Canada economic mission may contact Mahen Gunaratna (mahen.gunaratna@nj.gov) and Ingrid Austin (iaustin@choosenj.com) or visit choosenj.com/CanadaMission for additional details.

About Choose New Jersey

Choose New Jersey is the State’s leading non-profit business attraction organization. We harness the collective power of New Jersey’s business, government, labor, and academic sectors to expand New Jersey’s economy. We work globally, using our marketing expertise, concierge business development services, deep knowledge of the State, and convening power, in collaboration with State government, to empower businesses, entrepreneurs, leaders, and innovators to make New Jersey their home. To learn more, visit choosenj.com.