Cisco (Nasdaq: CSCO) operates its largest hub outside of Silicon valley headquarters in a multi-building, state-of-the-art campus at RTP that houses some 5,000 workers.

So where does the networking giant establish one of four new hubs designed to capitalize on the next big thing?

Toronto, Canada.

Cisco Chairman and CEO John Chambers has vowed to do more business in Canada, citing tax policy and other challenges in the US. He declared war on US policies just one year ago. In picking Toronto and not either RTP or another US location, Chambers is restating his stance.

WRALTechWire has reported extensively about Chambers’ frustrations with taxes and other issues. He says Canada is a country that knows how to do business right.

So Toronto gets a $100 million commitment over 10 years to create an “Internet of Everything Innovation Center.”

Others are going to South Korea, Brazil and Germany.

Maybe RTP wouldn’t have gotten this tech and job plumb even if Chambers had chosen America for his effort to capitalize on what he envisions as a whopping $19 trillion opportunity. We probably will never know.

But seeing this investment and jobs head north of the border is a slap.

Chambers is following up on a $4 billion commitment to create 1,700 jobs in Canada that had already been announced.

Note the barb thrown the USofA way in the announcement:

“The decision to locate in Canada’s largest city reflects Cisco Canada’s demonstrated thought leadership and expertise in working with municipalities, and the Canadian construction and real estate industries.”

Ouch!

Cisco may say “No slam intended, USA and North Carolina.” But those are the words. 

“This North American hub for thought leadership and experimentation will bring together start-ups, technology and services partners, academia and customers to rethink and transform the status quo, while continuing Cisco’s tradition of making IT relevant to decision makers and business leaders,” Cisco proclaimed.

Added Rob Lloyd, president of Development and Sales for Cisco:

“The Internet of Everything is a $19 trillion global opportunity over the next decade – including almost $500 billion available to Canadian private and public-sector organizations. Today, much of that opportunity is left on the table. Cisco Innovation Centres help to accelerate and catalyze IoE opportunities for our customers by developing expertise and partnerships in key verticals. Cisco Canada has become a leader in Smart+Connected Communities development and the establishment of this IoE Innovation Centre is further testament to Cisco’s ongoing investment in Canada, Ontario and Toronto.”

Read and weep …