For Immediate Release
September 18, 2009

Innovation In Toxics Reduction Helps Build Green Economy

McGuinty Government Funds Green Chemistry Centre, Releases Draft Regulation

NEWS

Ontario is supporting innovation that will help create jobs in Ontario’s green economy, while also protecting our health and environment from dangerous toxics.

The province will invest $13.6 million in GreenCentre Canada, located at Queen’s University in Kingston. The centre, which will be operated by PARTEQ Innovations, will connect green chemistry discoveries in Ontario universities with companies to develop alternatives to toxic chemicals and get them to the marketplace faster. 

In its first five years, the centre expects to create several start-up companies and at least 250 jobs while strengthening the global competitiveness of Ontario’s $21-billion chemical industry. 

The province is also asking for public comment on the draft regulation that will spell out how industry must comply with the Toxics Reduction Act to help protect our health and environment. The draft regulation will be posted on the Environmental Registry until October 19, 2009. 

Both measures support the government’s commitment to reduce toxic substances in our air, land, water and consumer products by supporting green chemistry and innovative new technologies to reduce industrial reliance on toxics.

QUOTES

“The global challenges of sustainability and climate change are driving a growing demand for the chemical industry’s green products and processes. Bio-based and green chemistry-derived products represent a growing part of the worldwide chemical industry and demand is rising rapidly. Ontario is in a unique position to capitalize on this new global market while delivering high-value jobs and a healthier environment for all Ontarians.”
— Minister of Research and Innovation John Milloy

“Support for green chemistry is an important part of our strategy to reduce toxic substances and protect our quality of life. While we are asking industries to reduce their use of toxics, green chemistry innovations will help them find alternate substances and ways to keep us moving towards a green and sustainable economy and environment.”
— Minister of the Environment John Gerretsen

“We are very pleased to receive this significant support from the Ontario government for the work of GreenCentre Canada, and what it represents as a highly promising new model for technology commercialization for the 21st century. With this funding, GreenCentre Canada will be able to transform Ontario’s and Canada’s green chemistry discoveries into innovative products and services that will ultimately improve the quality of our environment while generating highly skilled jobs.” 
— President and CEO of PARTEQ Innovations John P. Molloy

QUICK FACTS

• The global chemicals industry is one of the largest manufacturing industries in the world with annual revenues of over $3 trillion and revenues in Canada of over $47 billion. 

• The Ontario chemicals industry generates over $21 billion in annual revenues and employs about 41,000 highly skilled Ontarians, who convert raw materials into more than 70,000 different products.

• The Toxics Reduction Act and its regulations will help drive green alternatives by requiring about 2,000 facilities to report on the toxics they use, and create and prepare plans to reduce them.

LEARN MORE

About GreenCentre Canada

About Ontario’s Innovation Agenda

About the province’s Toxics Reduction Strategy and Toxics Reduction Act

Read and comment on the draft Toxics Reduction Act regulations at: www.ebr.gov.on.ca (Registry #: 010-7792)

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See also:

• Backgrounder: Building Ontario’s Green Economy By Reducing Toxic Chemicals
• Backgrounder: Draft Regulation Spells Out Proposed Toxics Requirements