For Immediate Release
February 17, 2009

ONTARIO WELCOMES CLEANTECH REPORT

McGuinty Government On Track To Turn Cleantech Into Jobs of the Future

NEWS

A new report says Ontario’s clean technology companies are doing a good job turning ideas into new green jobs – and that the keys to global success are within reach.

The 2009 OCETA SDTC Cleantech Growth & Go-to-Market Report, outlines specific ways that government can do more to help these companies take the next step in attracting more global customers and investment, such as:

• Increasing domestic demand for clean technology by acting as an early adopter
• Setting aggressive environmental and sustainability targets
• Developing a clean technology procurement strategy
• Establishing commercialization benchmarks and adopting consistent, global best practices across the province.

The report analyzes the size and structure of 110 Ontario-based clean technology companies. It credits the province’s $3-billion Innovation Agenda for providing many of these companies with early stage R&D support, and its proponents say the proposed Green Energy Act will position cleantech as a driver of Ontario’s future social and economic prosperity.

QUOTES

“By turning our world-class research into world-class businesses we can become a cleantech powerhouse. We’re committed to continue working with companies that want to compete globally and create good jobs for Ontario families,” said John Wilkinson, Minister of Research and Innovation.

“Encouraging the development and adoption of clean technologies right here in our own province is the right thing to do for our environment – and our economy. Soon, I will be introducing a new Green Energy Act designed to support home-grown innovation, create thousands of green sector jobs and make Ontario a world leader in renewable energy, energy efficiency and conservation,” said George Smitherman, Deputy Premier and Minister of Energy and Infrastructure.

QUICK FACTS

• Global demand for clean technology solutions is already estimated at $US 1 trillion annually.
• Ontario’s Innovation Agenda has committed nearly $3 billion over eight years to help make innovation the driving force of our economy.
• The government has invested more than $600 million in research projects and companies working on green technologies and initiatives since 2003.
• New businesses that commercialize ideas from Canadian colleges, universities and research institutes now get a 10-year exemption from corporate income tax in Ontario.
  

LEARN MORE

See how Ontario’s Innovation Agenda is creating jobs and opportunity.

Read what the Premier is saying about Ontario’s Green Energy Act.

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See also:

• Backgrounder: 2009 Cleantech Growth And Go-To-Market Report
• Backgrounder: Support For The Cleantech Growth & Go-To-Market Report