Study finds Queen’s generated $1.67 billion for Kingston

A new report released February 2021 has found Queen’s is responsible for generating $1.67 billion in economic and social benefits for Kingston—11 per cent of the region’s GDP—and one in 10 jobs in the city. 

 

The Economic and Community Impact Study, a 106-page report compiled by Deloitte, revealed Queen’s raises more than $1 million a year to support charitable causes, employs over 400 medical doctors, has supported over

700 start-ups, and has brought over $237 million in spending from out-of-town students to Kingston from 2018-19.

 

According to the report, Queen’s has also attracted $620 million in research and development funding since 2013, while the Queen’s Cancer Institute has held 500 medical trials led by the Canadian Cancer Trials Group.

 

Queen’s also remains a local leader in volunteerism, entrepreneurship, sustainability, arts and culture, and youth outreach.

 

Efforts are hosted by groups like Smith Business Consulting, which partners with local businesses to develop solutions in strategy, marketing, sales, and operations; local camps, recreation, and after-school programs like Sistema Kingston or Black Youth in STEM that introduce children to STEM and the arts; and law clinics and healthcare services that provide essential services to underserved populations.

 

The report also found that Queen’s helped welcome 36,000 people to the Agnes Etherington Art Center in 2017-18, and 41,000 people to the Isabel Bader Performing Arts Center in 2018-19, enriching the city’s arts scene.

 

On the national level, these contributions translated to $1.57 billion towards Canada’s GDP and 14,588 jobs.

 

“As a public institution, Queen’s has a responsibility and a duty to be a positive force and an active partner for the Kingston community,” Principal Patrick Deane wrote in the report’s executive summary.

 

“At Queen’s we have a responsibility to understand our impact and to ensure that the road we choose for our future is one that benefits us all.”