The automotive industry plays a major economic role in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) of Ontario, Canada. Three major automakers operate six assembly plants in the GTA, employing over 63,000 people directly and supporting an estimated 89,000 additional jobs. In 2004, the automotive industry contributed $3.3 billion to the GTA economy. Various strategic initiatives have been launched to support the industry's competitiveness through skills training, innovation programs, infrastructure investments, and environmental technologies research.