Mayoral candidate George Smitherman says he would use tax breaks and buildings retrofitted to be energy-efficient to help set up a “green energy sector,” and create environmental jobs in Toronto.

Smitherman said there are tremendous economic opportunities in solar, wind and other renewable energy sources and, through its ownership of Toronto Hydro, the city is poised to become a world centre for environmental business.

Smitherman made the announcement Tuesday, ahead of the evening’s mayoral candidates debate on environmental issues hosted by networking group Greenhouse Toronto.

His plan includes:

• Using the city’s Build Toronto and Invest Toronto to find a neighbourhood with a “poor economic situation or with a high rate of commercial-industrial vacancy” and turn it into a green energy district. Environmental businesses locating there would get a break on taxes. Toronto Hydro would make sure the buildings were a model of energy-efficiency, reducing their operating costs.

• Ensure that Toronto Hydro provides “simple billing arrangements and financial assistance” to homeowners who install renewable energy systems.