About the OEEDC

We are a group of over 124 Ontario East economic development professionals and business leaders who are working co-operatively to promote the region as a premiere business location. Together, we represent more than 200 communities, thousands of businesses and nearly 2 million residents.

About the Commission

The Ontario East Economic Development Commission (OEEDC) was formed in 1988 with 14 members for the purpose of joint marketing and to establish a collective voice for Ontario East on issues affecting economic development.

Today, the OEEDC has more than 124 members and represents an area from Kawartha Lakes-Haliburton on the west to Prescott-Russell on the east and from the Ottawa River in the north to the St. Lawrence River in the south.

The OEEDC promotes Eastern Ontario as a preferred location for business investment through a marketing partnership program. The sector-based partnerships conduct activities appropriate to individual sectors such as auto parts manufacturing, food processing and logistics/distribution. Through our co-operative marketing efforts, members can obtain increased exposure for their own communities at reasonable costs.

The OEEDC is a one-stop shop where investors and their representatives can often find information they need to make educated business decisions. Complementing the resources found on this web portal is a network of economic development professionals who are responsible for growth in every municipality throughout the region.

For answers to specific questions about your business interest, please contact our Executive Director, JAckie St. Pierre  at (613) 634-8569. Ms. St. Pierre will promptly ensure you reach the right Ontario East contact. If you wish, inquiries can be handled confidentially and anonymously.

The OEEDC also acts as an advocacy group on behalf of its members. It is frequently asked by the provincial and federal governments to identify economic trends that are affecting the quality-of-life and prospects for new investment in the region.

In partnership with the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Ontario East holds an eminently successful annual conference. Part of the OEEDC’s Education Mandate, the Ontario East Municipal Conference brings together leading economic development practitioners for three days of learning and networking. Ontario East members also have three other opportunities during the year to meet formally, during each General Meeting.

Board of Directors

Stephen Paul, President (spaul@lennox-addington.on.ca)

Darrell Cox, Past President (darrell.cox@ottawa.ca)

Norm Anderson, Treasurer, Director (norman@redc.ca)

Wendy Gibson, Director (wgibson@cobourg.ca)

Robert (Bob) Smith, Director (rsmith@county.haliburton.on.ca)

Craig Kelley, Director (ckelley@madawaskavalley.on.ca)

Shelagh McDonald, Director (mcdonald@elorin.ca)

Jackie St. Pierre, Executive Director (info@onteast.com)