MARKHAM – As it awaits a decision from the federal government on whether or not Canadian carriers will be able to use its technology in their 5G network upgrades, Huawei said last week it represents “a significant and growing contribution to Canada's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) with a total benefit equivalent to $690 million in 2018 alone.”
That figure came from a new economic study from Oxford Economics which the company publicized in a release..
The report highlighted Huawei supports nearly 5,000 jobs in Canada – and that it has invested $164 million in research and development initiatives while generating $204 million in taxation value in 2018.
"Huawei's economic impact in Canada has grown significantly since 2012. The company's workforce has increased substantially, along with its procurement spending on goods and services from Canadian suppliers," said Andrew P Goodwin, director of applied economics at Oxford Economics in the release circulated by Huawei. dftgyhjuk
"Huawei also supports a wider, catalytic contribution to the Canadian economy by boosting the nation's productive potential. The company accomplishes this through its own R&D spending, its collaborations with universities, the ICT training it delivers to Canadian workers and students, and by boosting the country's digital connectivity levels through its products."
In Ontario alone, where its Canadian headquarters is located, Huawei generated GDP worth $592M in 2018 and supported some 3,830 jobs, either directly, or through supply chain and multiplier effects, reads the release.
That said, the Canadian government has been wrestling with the decision on whether or not to allow the Chinese company’s technology in our wireless networks as they upgrade to 5G, all in the face of U.S. warnings against allowing that to happen.
Cartt.ca reporter Christopher Guly asked the office of Canada’s new Minister of Public Safety, Bill Blair, for any update on Huawei’s status. In an email response, a spokesperson said “While we cannot comment on specific companies, an examination of emerging 5G technology and the associated security and economic considerations is underway. This review includes the careful consideration of our allies’ advice.
“Public Safety Canada, the Communications Security Establishment, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, Global Affairs Canada and Innovation, Science, and Economic Development are working together on this important issue.
“We will ensure that our networks are kept secure and will take the appropriate decisions in due course.”
That, of course, is about the same thing the former minister said many months ago when the government put off the decision until after the federal election.
Anyhow, Huawei’s Oxford study also highlighted the company’s long-standing partnerships with established telecommunications partners which have used the company’s tech for years. Such companies include Telus, Bell and SaskTel, but they were not mentioned in the release.
"Huawei sees Canada as a strategically significant destination for ongoing investment and growth," said Huawei Canada President Eric Li in the release. "Canada's concentration of technology partners – both international and domestic, its outstanding network of universities and researchers and its welcoming immigration policies particularly for skilled high-technology workers, make it our preferred North American platform for future growth."
