Le discours du trône du Premier Minstre de l'Ontario sera demain, lundi, et si on se fie sur son site Web, il fera la promotion des connaissances de sa province dans le domaine de l'eau: le traitement des eaux usées et la conservation. Il pense qu'il y a un marché global de l'eau et qu'il faut s'y plonger.
Les compagnies de l'Ontario sont reconnues pour leurs méthodes de désinfection à l'ultraviolet, d'installations de traitements d'eaux usées compactes, d'information et systèmes informatiques sur l'eau, de conception et d'opération d'usines de traitement.
Un des points forts du discours demain sera une stratégie pour protéger, conserver et gérer les eaux douces de la province. Elle sera appuyée par une loi de viabilité de l'eau qui sera dévoilée au printemps. En plus de créér des emplois, la province veut améliorer la qualité de l'eau et des infrastructures et créer une "culture de conservation de l'eau".
Une autre priorité sera de réparer les vieux tuyaux d'aqueduc et colmater les fuites dans le système d'infrastructures aquatiques vieillissant de la province. Les taxes d'eau vont probablement monter, mais serviront à payer pour les travaux. Leur intention est de faire comprendre le prix réel de traiter l'eau potable et de disposer des boues.
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"Premier hopes to turn water into gold
Plans afoot to capitalize on province's treatment, conservation know-how
The Liberal government wants to capitalize on Ontario's technological know-how in water treatment and conservation to become a player in the multi-billion-dollar global water market. The Liberals hope a water strategy will lead to job growth, much like their expectations for the Green Energy Act – legislation passed recently which they say will yield 50,000 jobs in the next few years. Ontario firms are recognized leaders in ultraviolet disinfection, compact sewage treatment, water information and systems software and in plant design and operation, Premier Dalton McGuinty's website notes.
The adoption of a strategy to protect, conserve and manage the province's vast fresh water supply will be a key component of the government's throne speech on Monday, the Star has learned. The strategy will be supported by a new water sustainability act, which the government expects to unveil this spring. In addition to creating jobs, a government insider said the province also wants to improve water quality and infrastructure and create a "culture of water conservation."
Another top priority will be to repair old water pipes and stop leaks in the province's aging water infrastructure system. Discovering new ways to reuse water that from household washing machines and sinks, innovative water treatment services and improvements on the collection of storm water runoff are all areas that could yield jobs, the source said. McGuinty hinted last week at a fundraising dinner the government will soon unveil an "Open Ontario" plan that looks at ways to build on the province's clean water strength.
"Open Ontario" is a new Liberal agenda that will target promising areas of the economy – from water to the mining of chromite in the north – to help lift the province out of its $24.7 billion deficit. McGuinty noted that in the next 20 years, worldwide demand for water will be 40 per cent greater than supply, forcing people to find new ways to use less water and purify polluted water.
"Ontario has been quietly growing one of the biggest clean water industries in North America," he said. "Our services and technologies are being sold here at home and around the world. And that means great Ontario jobs." The Conference Board of Canada estimates the global market for water technology at over $450 billion with annual growth of up to 15 per cent, he added. "So, why wouldn't we organize ourselves to grab an even bigger share of that market for Ontario?" McGuinty asked. "We're doing exactly that for clean energy so, why not for clean water?"McGuinty led a trade mission to India last December, accompanied by 25 Ontario representatives from the green energy and water sectors with the goal of promoting the province's businesses.
Liberal MPP David Caplan (Don Valley East) last month introduced a private member's bill that proposed a major revamping of the province's water system – one that would see residents pay the full cost of water use. Caplan, a former infrastructure minister, says the monthly cost of his plan for an average family would be about $50. His aim is to make people aware of how much water they use by metering usage in homes and charging the actual cost of producing clean water and treating the waste. The proceeds would be put into fixing the province's water infrastructure.
Earlier this week, Brad Duguid, minister of energy and infrastructure, wrote a letter to an Ottawa newspaper confirming the Liberals are developing a strategy that will make Ontario a "global leader" in the water and waste water sectors."In the weeks to come, an ambitious path forward will be outlined for this important sector which will not only seek to achieve our long-term goals of water sustainability, but will also use Ontario's advantages to create jobs," Duguid wrote.
Excerpts from article written by Tanya Talaga published in thestar.com here: http://www.thestar.com/news/ontario/article/775957--premier-hopes-to-turn-water-into-gold
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