Boosting Trade and Create Jobs in Key Sectors

Agreement supports Ontario’s Fortress North America plan to increase continental trade and security

 As part of the Ontario government’s plan for Building Fortress North America, today, Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Spencer J. Cox, Governor of Utah, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to boost trade in key sectors including critical minerals, advanced manufacturing, energy and nuclear technology, life sciences, forestry and information and communications technology. The agreement will increase cooperation and collaboration between the two jurisdictions, helping to create jobs, grow the economy and lower costs for families.

“Canada and the United States are always stronger when we work together to increase cooperation, collaboration and trade so we can grow the economy on both sides of the border,” said Premier Ford. “With nearly $7 billion in annual trade between Ontario and Utah already, today’s agreement will help deliver new opportunities for our province’s world-class workers and companies and create lasting prosperity in both regions.”

Ontario’s expertise in clean, affordable nuclear energy, including large-scale reactors, small modular reactors (SMRs) and energy storage, means the province is a vital partner for any jurisdiction looking to meet growing electricity demand and protect its long-term energy security. In addition to leveraging Ontario’s historic investments to build and expand nuclear energy capacity, Ontario and Utah will increase strategic collaboration in several areas vital to both regions’ economies, including critical minerals, defence manufacturing and artificial intelligence through academic and regulatory cooperation, workforce development initiatives and trade missions.

“Utah and Ontario share a strong commitment to building and powering the future,” said Governor Cox. “This agreement strengthens an already important trade relationship and supports good jobs on both sides of the border. We’re grateful for Premier Ford’s partnership and excited to keep this momentum going.”

The new MOU is part of the government’s ongoing plan to make Ontario the most resilient and competitive economy in the G7 by strengthening ties and establishing new relationships with governments at the federal, state and local levels, as well as business leaders across the United States. Since 2023, Ontario has signed nine economic cooperation agreements with U.S. states in addition to Utah, including Indiana, Michigan, Nevada, Illinois, New Jersey, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania and South Carolina.

“Today’s agreement between Ontario and Utah will not only renew the strong trade relationship between our jurisdictions but unlock new opportunities for collaboration in areas of shared economic importance,” said Vic Fedeli, Ontario Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “By committing to leverage our complementary advantages we will strengthen cross-border supply chains and ensure workers on both sides of the border stand to benefit for generations to come.”

The agreement follows Premier Ford’s recent mission to Washington, D.C. and the unveiling of Ontario’s renewed plan for building Fortress North America by reaching a fair free trade agreement that will create more jobs, lower costs and strengthen North American security.

Quick Facts

• Ontario and Utah share a close trading relationship, with total trade valued at nearly $7 billion (CAD) in 2025, accounting for nearly 70 per cent of Canada’s total trade with Utah.
• Nearly one in five jobs in Ontario depend on trade. With over 1.5 million jobs supported by exports, Ontario’s jobs are the most export-reliant across Canada.
• Building Fortress North America: Ontario’s North American Growth Plan is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for Canada, the United States and Mexico to strengthen the most important economic partnership in the world, unlocking billions of dollars in new investment, creating a jobs boom, lowering the cost of living, limiting the flow of unfair imports and strengthening national security across the continent