"Earth Day is every day" for thousands of Ontario companies

Ontario's growing environment and cleantech sector well-positioned for growth

TORONTO, April 22, 2013 /CNW/ - On a day when millions of people around the world paused to acknowledge the importance of the natural environment, more than 65,000 Ontarians did what they do each day of the week:  They went to work at a company that is focused on creating a cleaner and healthier environment.

"For more than 3,000 companies in this province, every day is Earth Day," said Alex Gill, the Executive Director of the Ontario Environment Industry Association (ONEIA).  "These firms include ones that manage our water, reduce air pollution, generate and conserve energy and build the clean technologies that will drive the economy of the future."

Ontario is home to Canada's largest collection of environment and cleantech companies.  According to Statistics Canada, this growing sector generates more than $8-billion in annual revenues - including more than $1-billion from booming export markets. Recent research shows that these firms are also on a hiring streak.  A survey conducted for ONEIA by Stuart-O'Hara Knowledge Management Services in late 2012 found that 73% had hired full-time staff in the past twelve months and 93% said they were likely to hire additional staff within the coming year.

"These are largely high-paying knowledge jobs of the future," added Gill,  "Ontario needs to find ways to recognize and encourage the great work these companies are doing."

To share the stories of these companies, the Association is producing short digital videos of a selection of firms that are available at the organization's YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/ONEIAmedia.

Founded in 1992, ONEIA is the business network for the province's growing environment and cleantech sector.  The ONEIA network includes environmental technology, product and service companies, law, investment and insurance firms, institutes, universities and governments. Through their innovation and experience in Ontario and around the world, our environment and cleantech industry provides market-driven solutions for society's most pressing environmental problems.

SOURCE: Ontario Environment Industry Association (ONEIA)

For further information:

Alex Gill
Executive Director
Ontario Environment Industry Association
[phone]
[e-mail]
Twitter = @ONEIAnetwork