As the world's nations race to establish themselves as leading jurisdictions for tomorrow's green economy, the Province of Ontario is making dramatic moves to ensure that Ontario will be a greener, cleaner place to live. (Click here to find out what SOMA can do for you...)

 

 

The Green Energy Act will secure Ontario's place as the continent's leading green economy, helping to create over 50,000 green collar jobs and generating billions of dollars of economic activity in the first three years alone.

 

The Green Energy Act will achieve these goals by driving investment to create a 21st century "smart" energy grid, establishing guidelines for domestic content to ensure that job opportunities are created in Ontario, encouraging all Ontarians to invest in conservation, creating incentives to help energy consumers invest in small-scale renewable energy projects and providing opportunities for municipalities and local utilities to initiate new renewable energy generation projects.

 

In fact, Ontario is now offering some of the highest Feed-in-Tariffs (FIT) available

worldwide with a contract that will last 20 years for wind, solar, hydro and biomass projects. In order to qualify for the FIT program, a gradually increasing percentage of the product used must be made in Ontario. This will assist the province in its goals of phasing out coal-fired generation by 2014, to have 10% of Ontario's generating capacity come from renewable sources by 2010 and to have 48% of Ontario's total electricity supply come from conservation and renewable sources by 2025. More information for all associated programs of the Green Energy Act is available online at www.greenenergyact.ca .

 

Located in the center of Canada's most prosperous manufacturing corridor, Ontario's Heartland is comprised of 7 forward-thinking municipalities who have joined together to ensure that the future of the region is both prosperous and green.

 

� Population of over 12 million (1/3 of the Canadian population)

� Area of 415,000 square miles (larger than France & Spain combined)

� Over 250,000 lakes & rivers (1/3 of the world's fresh water)

 

Next Generation of Jobs Program

・provides a grant of up to 15% of the total eligible costs to support environmental technologies, clean industries and the bio-economy.

 

Advanced Manufacturing Investment Strategy

・an interest-free loan of up to 30% of the total eligible project costs to support investments in technology and innovation.

 

Southern Ontario Development Fund

・an interest-free loan of up to 50% on a capital project and up to 75% on a non-capital project with negotiable repayment terms.

 

Apprenticeship Training Tax Credit

・a tax credit of up to $10,000 per eligible apprentice over the first 3 years of employment.