Last month, in the Province of Ontario, Canada, Bill 150 was given Royal Assent signing into law the new Green Energy Act, 2009. This Act is intended to build a green economy in Ontario, under the leadership of Ontario Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, George Smitherman.

At present, Ontario is in need of jobs and economic development opportunities, as the traditional manufacturing economy is in a downturn. And the Province needs to generate significant and meaningful jobs. “Green-collar” jobs will grow Ontario’s economy in a greener and more sustainable direction. The Green Energy and Economy Act are set to fulfill this need.

On June 2, a celebration took place for this momentous event at Toronto’s flagship Hard Rock Cafe in the heart of downtown Toronto, where over 400 guests attended to celebrate Minister Smitherman’s “shining” moment, with the room full of LED lighting supplied and installed by Canadian company CRS Electronics of Welland, Ontario.

George Smitherman, Ontario Minister of Energy and Infrastructure with Scott Riesebosch, President of CRS Electronics, an Ontario-based company that supplied LEd lights for the event.

CRS had replaced over 100 halogen MR-16s with their new LED MR-16. One of only a few SSL products actually manufactured in Canada and more relevant to this occasion, in the Province of Ontario, this is truly representative of the development of a green economy in Ontario.

Minister Smitherman acknowledged Scott Riesebosch, President of CRS, for his efforts, commenting, “These new MR16 LED lights will save of 80% of the energy used by current Halogen lights.” The picture shows the two men together.

Ken Elsey, President and CEO of the Canadian Energy Efficiency Alliance (CEEA), a keen interested observer of the path of solid-state lighting, applauded Minister Smitherman for this renewed green activity in Ontario.