Open Ontario will focus on the growing global market for water technology, estimated at more than $450 billion, as well as work to make Toronto one of the world's elite financial centres and attract more foreign students to the province.

Sources say part of the clean water initiatives involves building a cluster of clean technology companies that can sell their ideas to the rest of the world, creating jobs in Ontario.

"It's about better conservation so not so much is wasted, which should be an advantage for families and business," a source said.

Another key goal will be to develop a huge chromite deposit in the northwest known as the Ring of Fire, something the government says will help northern residents.

McGuinty has expressed a lot of interest in developing the deposit, which has been the site of a blockade by angry First Nations residents who say they weren't properly consulted about the plans and who worry they will see no benefit from what should provide an economic boom in their area.

Anna Baggio of the Wildlands League says her group is concerned about the ad hoc way development has been proceeding in the area, with all kinds of companies fighting for a spot without an overarching plan that takes First Nations or the environment into account.

"Things were happening in a complete Wild West, a chaotic free-for-all," she said.

But McGuinty said no official announcement has been made about pushing ahead with mining at the Ring of Fire, and promised to tread carefully.

"Two things are certain: one is that it's a wonderful opportunity, and second is that we can't possibly move forward with it unless we engage in a genuine partnership with all the affected communities, including the First Nations," McGuinty said.....