GTA leaders to submit regional bid for new Amazon headquarters

6 GTA leaders to submit combined regional bid for new Amazon HQ

Artistic rendering of the new Amazon campus buildings in downtown Seattle. (Amazon)

Our local Guardians of the Galaxy have gathered.

Leaders of the GTA are working together to put an attractive bid for Amazon’s second corporate headquarters in North America, known as Amazon HQ2.

Toronto Mayor John Tory, Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie, Brampton Mayor Linda Jeffrey, Roger Anderson, Chairman and CEO of Durham Region, Chair Gary Carr of Halton Region, and Wayne Emmerson, Chairman and CEO of the Regional Municipality of York, have collectively agreed that the best way to compete is to submit a regional bid on behalf of the GTA.

“The Toronto Region is ready for Amazon,” said the group in a joint statement. “The company already has a strong presence in the area, with more than two-million square feet of operational footprint across the Toronto Region. With ready access to major markets, a compelling cost structure, and sophisticated U.S. and international connectivity, there has never been a better time for Amazon to choose the Toronto Region.”

The Mayors and Chairs have asked Mark Cohon, Chair of Toronto Global and Janet Ecker, Vice-Chair of Toronto Global to lead the region’s bid team, working under the leadership of the Province of Ontario. Launched in February 2017, Toronto Global is a not-for-profit corporation representing municipalities in the Toronto Region.

We’re looking forward to working with our partners to make Canada, Ontario & the #Toronto Region @amazon‘s #HQ2: https://t.co/zGDPWjHG8X pic.twitter.com/qwYeucO8D0

— Toronto Global (@Toronto_Global) September 7, 2017

For this task, their focus will be to put the most attractive bid forward that demonstrates the scale, diversity, talent, creativity and dynamic opportunities in the Toronto Region.

“As the commercial centre of the country, this is the Toronto Region’s opportunity to showcase our attractive regional building sites, highlight our expansive and rapidly growing technology ecosystem, and introduce the depth and breadth of our global talent pool,” reads the statement. “We also look forward to highlighting our unmatched cultural diversity to Amazon executives and frankly, to be a little un-Canadian and show off our amazing quality of life. These are the key attributes Amazon is looking for and we will have an attractive story and creative proposal to share.”

Last week, Amazon announced it would be looking for a city to house its newest headquarters. Toronto immediately jumped on the opportunity, and Tory has lead the movement from the start with his support, which has garnered headlines across North America.

“This is an exciting opportunity for Canada, Ontario, and the Toronto Region to work together to respond to Amazon’s request for proposals on behalf of the Toronto Region, promoting the collective assets of the most dynamic and innovative region in the world,” stated the GTA leaders.

See also