Greentech Initiatives in the Toronto Region

The Toronto Region is a dynamic hub of activity in the energy and environment sectors.  In addition to over 1,700 companies, there is a wide range of green activity in the public and nonprofit sectors. Below is a list of programs and initiatives offered by provincial, regional and municipal governments, and nonprofit associations. More details about the companies can be found on interactive map or searchable company database.

Key Projects and Initiatives

Greater Toronto Civic Action Alliance's Greening Greater Toronto initiative has 100 partners from corporations, industry, government and the non-profit sectors working together to improve the environmental, health and future of the Greater Toronto Area and make it the greenest city region in North America.

Project Green, a partnership of the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) and the Greater Toronto Airport Authority (GTAA), seeks to create the Pearson Eco-Business Zone, North America's largest eco-business zone covering 12,000 hectares (120 km2).

Think Green Alliance is a community of businesses and organizations providing environmentally and economically sustainable services, products and goods. The Alliance membership represents over 160 billion dollars of annual global revenues and over 250,000 employees.

Provincial, Municipal and Regional Initiatives

City of Toronto has over 100 initiatives underway to reduce energy use and improve the environment working with partners. Many of these actions were recommended in the Climate Change, Clean Air and Sustainable Energy Action Plan crafted with substantial public and stakeholder input and designed to achieve and exceed the Kyoto greenhouse gas reduction target.

Durham Region's economic development office has programs for the energy sector. Durham is home to an organic energy cluster. Durham has undertaken or supported various research projects over the years related to energy and environment sectors opportunities for business growth and investment attraction, and dedicates annual resources to energy sector programs.

Halton Region's initiatives focus on energy conservation and reduced waste and pollution from the Region's own operations and facilities.

Hamilton Region's major economic sectors include: advanced manufacturing, health care and life sciences, film and television production, agriculture and education.

Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) supports agriculture and food sectors, and rural communities to build a strong Ontario bio-economy. Key goals include economic growth and development, including investment attraction and trade promotion, related to bio-economy sectors.

Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Trade (MEDT) is active in the greentech area through the Advanced Manufacturing Section of the Investment Branch. Its main focus is on wind and solar technologies.

Ontario Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MEI) is involved in the clean technologies sector as it relates to investment attraction and trade promotion in the following areas: energy procurement policy initiatives, energy conservation policy and programs, and expert advice for research and program evaluations and the Standard Offer Program under the Green Energy Act.

Ontario Ministry of Environment's (MOE) involvement in the clean technologies sector as it relates to investment attraction and trade promotion is mainly in the area of high level analysis, direct program support and expert advice for research and program evaluations.

Ontario Ministry of Research and Innovation (MRI) invests in policies and programs to deliver on the province's innovation strategy. The Innovation Demonstration Fund and the Ontario Research Excellence Program are two major programs that fund clean technology research and projects.

Ontario Ministry of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry (MNDM) identified the clean technologies sector as a priority for investment attraction efforts. Core activities include marketing and promotion, trade event activity, and investment strategy development.

Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) works with partners to develop transportation policies and programs that support economic growth and respect the environment. New programs are being designed to increase and promote the use of cleaner, more environmentally sound transportation technologies.

Peel Region serves the areas of Brampton, Caledon and Mississauga, and is a partner in Project Green - A Pearson Eco-Business Zone around the airport. Also, the Mississauga Economic Development Office is categorizing companies involved in the greentech sector.

Waterloo Region/Canada's Technology Triangle's (CTT) economy focuses on advanced technology and promotes a culture of collaboration, innovation, and entrepreneurialism.

York Region focuses on companies active in the environmental sector and seeks to raise awareness about better ways of doing business, reducing operating costs and being environmentally friendly through better business practices.

Associations

Association of Power Producers of Ontario (APPrO) is a non-profit organization representing more than 100 companies in the generation of electricity in Ontario, including generators and suppliers of services, equipment and consulting.

Canadian Geothermal Energy Association (CanGEA) is a national, not for profit association that works to facilitate and promote the responsible and sustainable growth of geothermal energy in Canada to provide competitive, emissions free, renewable, base-load energy to Canadians and export markets.

Canadian Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association (CHFCA) is a national nonprofit organization that raises awareness of the economic, environmental and social benefits of hydrogen and fuel cells.

Canadian Renewable Energy Network (Can REA) serves organizations from the non-profit or voluntary sector that hold a common interest in promoting a global transition to energy conservation and efficiency and use of low-impact renewable energy.

Canadian Solar Industries Association (CanSIA) serves the interests of Canada's solar thermal industry, and was known as the CSIA. The Canadian Photovoltaic Industries Association (CPIA) was formed to represent the interests of the new PV industry.

Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA) is a nonprofit trade association that promotes the appropriate development and application of all aspects of wind energy in Canada, including the creation of a suitable policy environment Ontario Biofuels Association (OBA) is Ontario's leading authority for BioFuel research, collaboration, information, and implementation.

Ontario Biofuels Association (OBA) is Ontario's leading authority for BioFuel research, collaboration, information, and implementation.

Ontario Centre for Environmental Technology Advancement (OCETA) is a nonprofit organization that accelerates the commercialization and market adoption of clean technologies and environmentally sustainable solutions through stakeholder engagement and the provision of programming, business and technical services.

Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA) provides clean water management services to more communities than any other water and wastewater service organization in Ontario.

Ontario Ground Water Association (OGWA) is dedicated to protecting and promoting Ontario's most precious resource of water.

Ontario Environmental Industry Association (ONEIA) has a membership of over 200 product and service companies, institutes, universities and governments. Through their innovation and experience in Ontario and around the world, members provide market-driven solutions for society's most pressing environmental problems.

Ontario Sustainable Energy Association (OSEA) is an Ontario-wide, member-based, non-profit organization representing more than 1500 individuals including private citizens, cooperatives, farmers, First Nations, businesses, institutions and municipalities engaged in or supporting Community Power projects and renewable energy.

Ontario Waste Management Association (OWMA) speaks for nearly 300 independent companies in the private sector who provide products and services for a better environment. The OWMA business is to protect the environment through the proper management of waste and recyclable materials.

 

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