News release
For Immediate Release
February 24, 2009
ONTARIO PURSUES GLOBAL CLEANTECH OPPORTUNITIES
McGuinty Government Attracting New Business To Ontario
NEWS
Ontario is telling the world’s cleantech companies and investors that the province is open for business.
Ontario’s Minister of Research and Innovation John Wilkinson is taking this message to San Francisco, where he is representing the province at the Cleantech Forum XXI. The event attracts 800 of the world’s clean technology sector leaders — representing over $3 trillion in capital — together with entrepreneurs, scientists and policy-makers.
Minister Wilkinson will meet with business leaders and participate in a panel discussion about what global leaders are doing to support cleantech and accelerate their economic and environmental performance. He will highlight Ontario’s leadership, including:
- The proposed Green Energy Act, a bold series of coordinated actions which would enhance economic activity and reduce our impact on the climate by (1) making it easier to bring renewable energy projects to life and (2) fostering a culture of conservation by assisting homeowners, government, schools and individual employers to transition to lower energy use
- Ontario is committing nearly $3 billion to innovation — including cleantech — through the Ontario Innovation Agenda.
Clean technologies — innovations that reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, and clean air and water pollutants — will have a fundamental role in the future of Ontario's economy.
A recent report of over 60 leading Ontario clean technology companies found that Ontario cleantech companies have internationally recognized best-in-class technologies and products, and huge potential to grow into globally-competitive companies.
QUOTES
“The world is looking for ways to live and do business more sustainably. Ontario is at the forefront of this growing opportunity, supporting businesses that want a piece of this multi-billion dollar global market. Together, we’re on a mission to create clean air, clean water, healthier lives and good green jobs for the future,” said Minister of Research and Innovation John Wilkinson.
“There exists today a global race to establish the policies, attract the investment and build the foundation for the green economy that is sure to sustain future prosperity and progress,” said George Smitherman, Deputy Premier and Minister of Energy and Infrastructure. “It is a race Ontario is determined to win. This proposed legislation would help Ontario become the preferred destination for green jobs, green investment and green energy.”
QUICK FACTS
- Global demand for clean technology solutions is already estimated at $US 1 trillion annually.
- The proposed Ontario Green Energy Act would make Ontario the North American leader in clean energy and facilitate the creation of 50,000 new jobs over the next three years.
- Ontario’s Innovation Agenda has committed nearly $3 billion over eight years to help make innovation the driving force of our economy.
- The Ontario government has invested more than $600 million in research projects and companies working on green technologies and initiatives since 2003.
LEARN MORE
Find out about Ontario Green Energy Act
Find out more about Ontario’s Innovation Agenda
Find out about Ontario green energy projects.
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