ONEIA was pleased to host a networking lunch and panel discussion on October 9 that looked at Ontario's opportunities in the water field and how we can address them.  The Ontario Trade and Investment Centre played host to dozens of companies who first listened to a panel moderated by Brenda Lucas (SOWC) and consisting of Huub Rijnaarts, expert in water technology at Wageningen University, The Netherlands, David Henderson, Founder and Managing Director of XPV Capital, and Nick Reid, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships for the OCWA before gathering for a networking luncheon. 

The general consensus from the discussion was that Ontario has all the elements necessary to realize its stated goal of becoming "the continent's water leader" but that more cooperation is necessary between government and industry to make it happen.  There was also considerable discussion of emerging global markets, with panelist David Henderson noting that "water is local, but technology is global" and that there is no reason that Ontario cannot export more of its water solutions to other jurisdictions around the world.  The event, presented in partnership with the Consulate General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Ontario Ministry of Environment, also allowed a visiting delegation of Dutch water and environment experts to meet and network with others in the Canadian water sector.