Ontario environment minister John Gerretsen welcomed Exhibition Place as the first facility to be inducted into the Ontario Environmental Leaders Programme (OEL), recognising its outstanding environmental efforts.

The presentation occurred fittingly on the show floor of the Canada’s largest environmental event, The Green Living Show, in Direct Energy Centre at Exhibition Place.

The OEL ceremony also welcomed three other corporations – General Motors, Fielding Chemical and Nalco – bringing the total OEL membership to nine.

Ontario’s Environmental Leaders programme is a unique partnership between government and companies that surpass environmental regulations and as responsible corporate citizens, make environmentally friendly activities a part of their operations.

“Sustainable and responsible business is good for the environment and the green economy. I commend General Motors, Exhibition Place, Fielding Chemical and Nalco for aggressively greening their Ontario facilities,” said Gerretsen.

Commenting on the Exhibition Place award, the venue's chair of the Board of Governors and deputy mayor of Ontario, Joe Pantalone, said: "Exhibition Place is committed to being a world leader in energy-efficient technologies. Since 2004, Exhibition Place has been actively implementing environmental initiatives to create, conserve and reduce energy consumption across our 192-acre site. We are proud to be welcomed into the Ontario Environmental Leaders programme, and thank the ministry for this prestigious honour."