This is part II of a three part series. Part I is available here: https://www.focusburlington.ca/wherearethejobs/
The different experiences, between Burlington and Oakville, may lie not only in the amount of available land, but also in economic-development priorities.
Oakville’s Economic Development Department, now operating as Invest Oakville, describes its mandate as supporting and growing the local economy, improving investment readiness, attracting new investment and high-quality jobs, and assisting businesses with retention and expansion.
Burlington Economic Development, now Discover Burlington, describes its role as driving economic prosperity by attracting high-value companies, supporting existing businesses, and encouraging start-ups and entrepreneurial growth.
Both organizations emphasize business retention and expansion. Both seek quality employment opportunities. But there is a subtle—and important—distinction. Oakville’s mandate explicitly emphasizes a multifaceted approach centred on investment attraction. Burlington’s messaging places greater emphasis on tourism and entrepreneurship.
What does that difference look like in practice?
Oakville has rebranded itself as “Invest Oakville.” Its website contains extensive information about the community, but more importantly, it includes a detailed Economic Development Plan for 2025–2029 outlining how the municipality intends to grow jobs and investment.
The Oakville plan contains clear priorities, specific actions, measurable objectives, timelines, and accountability mechanisms. It addresses investment attraction, business retention, brownfield redevelopment, marketing, and strategic partnerships. In short, it provides a roadmap.
So what about Burlington?
Visit the City of Burlington website and you will find information about the merger between Tourism Burlington and Burlington Economic Development. Follow the links and you eventually arrive at Discover Burlington.
The site contains useful information. It promotes Burlington as a business destination, provides site-selection resources, and offers economic research and data. All of these are valuable resources for prospective businesses.
But one critical question remains: where is the Business Development Strategy?
There is a 2024 Annual Report. It discusses the merger, highlights the Destination Stewardship Plan, and outlines three strategic priorities: Branding and Marketing, Product and Programming, and Enabling Conditions. It also reports various operational statistics and discusses TechPlace’s role in promoting Burlington’s entrepreneurship and innovation hub.
So, how many jobs were actually created?
According to the report, 335 jobs were created, including those from Launchpad companies. Launchpad companies collectively generated 72 of those jobs, produced $12 million in revenue, and secured $503,000 in funding.
https://investburlington.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/2024-Annual-Report.pdf
Site Selection Magazine ranks Oakville as one of the top communities to invest in. https://siteselection.com/2026-canadas-best-locations/ Burlington didn’t make the list.
To be continued …
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I think Burlington made a large mistake in merging Tourism development with Business Development.Look at any Province or State and you will find separate DEPARTMENTS.