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The KPMG’s Competitive Alternatives studies provide a respected
guide for comparing business locations in North America, Europe
and Asia Pacific. Their 2008 study, which examined 17 industry
operations in 10 countries, is the most thorough comparison of
international business locations ever undertaken by the company.

Using the after-tax cost of startup and operations, over 10 years,
as the basis for comparison, KPMG measured the combined impact of 27 significant business costs that vary by location. They also compared data on non-cost competitiveness factors.     

A review of the data for major Canada cities ranked St. John’s metro number one when comparing net profits before taxes and effective income tax rates.

The Study also shows that St. John’s metro has: 

• The lowest total taxes of any major city (less than half of the next lowest city - Calgary)
• The second lowest property tax per square foot (only, 10 cents per square foot higher than the lowest ranked city - Quebec)
• The lowest labor costs based on a ten-year average
• The lowest annual non-income taxes based on a ten year average

• First in total investment by business and lowest in initial financing requirements
• First for lowest facility costs
• Second for lowest operating costs (only 1.1 per cent higher than San Diego, the lowest ranked city)
• The city with the lowest labor costs based on a ten year average.
  
  

Further, a study by the Centre for the Study of Living Standards, revealed that Newfoundland and Labrador led the country in productivity growth over the 1997-2007 period. The study showed that this Province experienced the most rapid growth in all three areas assessed - labour productivity, capital productivity and multi-factor productivity. For more information, please click here.