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From cheering on local hockey teams and celebrating multicultural festivals to exploring scenic waterfront trails, enjoying global cuisine, and embracing winter sports, companies choose to invest in Durham Region as much for its diverse Canadian lifestyle as for its strong economic opportunities.
Located just east of Toronto, Durham embodies many of the qualities Canada is celebrated for around the world — a high quality of life, four-season recreation, access to nature, and a welcoming spirit.
That quality of life is supported by a rapidly growing and diverse population. Durham welcomes newcomers from around the world, with population forecasts projecting approximately 1.3 million residents by 2051. Recent demographics indicate that nearly a third of residents are immigrants, and seven in 10 new arrivals in the past five years have come from outside Canada.
Supported by three post-secondary institutions that welcome students from more than 80 countries, the region’s highly educated workforce offers a major advantage for businesses. Companies can tap into this talent pool to access specialized skills, fresh perspectives, and multilingual capabilities. A multicultural workforce also fosters innovation, global competitiveness, and support for employees relocating from abroad.
Beyond the data and economic advantages, life in Durham Region offers employees and families relocating from abroad the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in special Canadian experiences, traditions, and seasonal highlights that can be found across all eight municipalities.
Global Cuisine
Thai dish with shrimp, noodles, and vegetables from Bangrak.
Durham Region’s rich multiculturalism is reflected in its vibrant food scene.
Restaurants and eateries offer daily opportunities to explore global flavours and fusion dishes, from authentic Mexican cuisine and Middle Eastern cafés to Korean barbecue and European bakeries.
Annual cultural celebrations, such as Fiesta Week — hosted by local cultural organizations for more than 50 years — bring the community together to enjoy traditional food, dance and music from many cultures including Greek, French, Polish, Caribbean, Portuguese and others. Community programs, language support and cultural clubs further help newcomers feel connected and at home.
Canadian Flavours
Maple syrup, a classic Canadian treat, is just the beginning of the country’s culinary traditions.
Each spring in Durham Region, local farms invite visitors to experience maple syrup season. Visitors can walk through maple forests, learn how sap is harvested and boiled down into syrup and taste it fresh from the source. Many festivals and farms also offer activities such as horse-drawn wagon rides, live music, campfires and pancake breakfasts, creating a lively, family-friendly atmosphere. Maple syrup is commonly enjoyed on pancakes and waffles or poured over snow to create a frozen sweet treat known as maple taffy. It’s also used to flavour everything from bacon and glazed meats to baked goods, sauces, and even coffee and craft beverages.
Other Canadian favourites such as poutine, Nanaimo bars and butter tarts — including maple-flavoured varieties — also offer a delicious introduction to Canadian cuisine and can be found across Durham at local cafés, bakeries, farmers’ markets, and festivals.
Natural Beauty Across Four Seasons
The Trail Hub is the highest point in Durham Region.
In Durham Region, the outdoors is enjoyed year-round.
In the fall, forests transform into vibrant shades of red, orange, and yellow, creating one of Canada’s most beautiful seasonal experiences. Durham is home to the Trail Capital of Canada and offers more than 350 kilometres of recreational trails, making it easy to get outside and take in the crisp air and changing colours. During winter, the region becomes a hub for cold-weather recreation, with opportunities for skiing, snow tubing, snowboarding and skating across three local ski hills and outdoor rinks.
In the spring and summer, residents take advantage of warmer weather by spending time in waterfront parks, sandy beaches and protected natural areas. With three lakefronts — including Lake Ontario — the region offers opportunities for kayaking, canoeing, cycling along the waterfront and boating. Durham is also home to more than 50 golf courses, providing even more ways to stay active and enjoy the sunshine.
Canada's Official Sports
Oshawa Generals hockey game.
Durham Region offers the chance to experience firsthand both of Canada’s official sports.
Hockey in Canada is more than just a sport; it’s part of the national identity. As the country’s official winter sport, many Canadians grow up playing or watching hockey, and it’s a major social event, from local community games to professional leagues. Fans are incredibly passionate, and arenas often feel like electric gathering places where the whole community comes together. For many Canadians, hockey isn’t just entertainment. It’s tradition, connection and a source of national pride.
Lacrosse, Canada’s official summer sport, is fast-paced and high energy with roots that date back centuries to Indigenous Peoples.
In Durham, fans fill the arena to support the Oshawa Generals, a storied junior hockey team whose alumni include players who have gone on to the National Hockey League and even been honoured in the Hockey Hall of Fame. The non-stop action of the Oshawa FireWolves also brings national lacrosse to the region, making sports a central part of the community year-round.
History and Heritage
Parkwood National Historic Site.
Across Durham Region, you don’t have to look far to find cultural heritage or historical landmarks.
Durham is situated in the treaty territory of the Williams Treaties First Nations and shares a home with Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation (MSIFN). Each summer, MSFIN hosts a Powwow that celebrates Indigenous cultures and traditions.
In addition to rich cultural traditions, in Durham you can also find storied places and built heritage. Parkwood National Historic Site is the former home of auto baron and founder of General Motors, R.S. McLaughlin. Inspired by early 20th-century Beaux-Arts design, this 15,000-square foot, 55-room mansion was built between 1915 and 1917. The art, architecture, gardens, landscaping and original furnishings are all faithfully preserved.
Leaskdale Manse National Historic Site is the former home of Lucy Maud Montgomery, the celebrated author of the famous Canadian novel Anne of Green Gables. The home preserves Montgomery’s personal history and offers visitors a glimpse into the life and work of one of Canada’s most beloved literary figures.
Why Canadian Culture Matters for Global Expansion
Canadian culture offers a competitive advantage for businesses by providing a high quality of life rich in culture, making Durham Region more than just an economic opportunity. It is a place where people can build vibrant lives and fully immerse themselves in culture, nature, and community.
