The Greening of Hamilton's Economy

HAMILTON SPECTATOR – "We believe there is going to be a big market for green energy products and we must do all we can to be sure they are built in Canada.” – Ken Delaney, Assistant to the National Director for Canada, USW.

Mayor Fred Eisenberger believes Hamilton can use its heavy manufacturing capacity as a foundation for a green, clean economy.

Rather than abandon the steel industry, as some suggest, he said last night that the city should try to attract businesses that use steel to make wind turbines and other products needed as Canada boosts energy efficiency, shifts to renewable power and fights climate change.

He suggested Hamilton set a target for all civic buildings to be 100 per cent green-powered, something Calgary did in five years, and make sure a proposed light-rail transit system runs on wind, solar or other clean energy.

The mayor said Ontario's new Green Energy Act, with premium prices for wind and solar energy, offers great opportunities, but the city must move quickly to take advantage.

Eisenberger was one of five speakers asked to offer their views on what a green economy in Hamilton might look like and what needs to be done in the next two years. The forum in the Spectator auditorium was sponsored by Environment Hamilton, the Hamilton and District Labour Council, and Blue Green Canada, a joint venture of Environmental Defence and the United Steelworkers.

Ken Delaney, from the Steelworkers union, called for a green industrial revolution, saying: "We believe there is going to be a big market for green energy products and we must do all we can to be sure they are built in Canada.

"We don't have to trade off jobs and a clean environment," he said, adding as he looked at the audience, "I am surrounded by people who believe you can have both, that you can embrace environmental issues in a way that creates jobs."

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