Information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider Huawei Canada announced today a partnership with the Ontario government to secure “hundreds of new jobs” for the province.

Announced today during a visit to Huawei’s Markham, Ont.-based Canadian headquarters by Premier Kathleen Wynne, the vendor is partnering under a “5G Ontario” initiative that will see the government invest up to $16 million through the province’s Jobs and Prosperity Fund (JPF) to support Huawei’s initial $212 million investment.

The initiative will create 250 new R&D jobs in the province, while maintaining 250 existing R&D jobs, the company said, adding the partnership builds on an agreement Wynne announced with Huawei in Beijing during a trade mission to China in 2014.

This accelerated investment reflects Huawei’s commitment to Ontario and the talent of the province’s skilled ICT workforce, said Ken Hu, Huawei Rotating CEO in a statement.

In addition, the company outlined plans for $303 million in new 5G-related research initiatives in Ontario over the next five years. With a focus on G networks, and related technologies such as cloud computing, data analytics, enterprise applications and mobility security, Huawei will continue to grow its existing research facility in Ottawa, and expand its Canada Research Centre to establish new research labs in Markham and Waterloo, the company said.