December 14, 2006
Manitoba to Enshrine Climate Change Actions in Legislation: Doer
– – –Premier Signs Agreement with California Governor During Trade Mission
LOS ANGELES, Calif.—Premier Gary Doer and California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger today signed an agreement that will result in further action on climate change including support for Manitoba’s efforts to make it among the first provinces in Canada to adopt legislation aimed at reducing harmful greenhouse gases.
“We share a vision with California when it comes to dealing with climate change,” Doer said. “It is a vision of growing our economy and protecting our environment through clean energy development, energy conservation and sustainable transportation.
"Agreements like this one allow us to learn from each other and continue to take actions today that will benefit our planet tomorrow. We appreciate the support and leadership of Gov. Schwarzenegger.”
The Province of Manitoba and the State of California were named by Business Week magazine last year as the top two regional governments for actions taken in response to climate change.
The Manitoba-California memorandum of understanding signed this morning by Doer and Schwarzenegger will support greenhouse gas reduction goals by:
· supporting Manitoba efforts to adopt legislation that would include setting out goals for greenhouse gas reductions;
· exploring the opportunity for Manitoba to participate in carbon-credit trading via the Clean Air Resources Board and the California Climate Action Registry;
· promoting further trade partnerships between the two jurisdictions in the areas of low- and no-emission vehicle technology, most notably in the production of hybrid and hydrogen buses and the plug-in hybrid vehicle; and
· continuing to exchange best practices in areas such as renewable energy technology (solar power in California and geothermal in Manitoba), residential and commercial building efficiency, waste reduction, and new transportation and agricultural initiatives to reduce greenhouse gases.
Doer noted the agreement builds on two climate change announcements made yesterday in San Diego where it was announced that a consortium including New Flyer Industries, ISE Corporation and SunLine Transit will develop the newest generation of hydrogen fuel-cell buses after receiving $9 million from the U.S. Federal Transit Administration.
It was also announced that Manitoba will be the new location for the world headquarters of Polar Bears International (PBI). PBI is joining forces with Partners in the Park, the Province of Manitoba and several private donors in an effort to increase education and research on polar bears in the Hudson Bay region. The goal of the research is to develop strategies for managing polar bear populations that are affected by climate change.
Earlier today, the premier delivered a keynote address to the World Trade Centre in San Diego titled Looking North - Doing Business with America’s Largest Trading Partner.
Manitoba’s mission to California is its largest North American trade mission. Two-way trade between the jurisdictions totalled $557 million in 2005. The goal of the mission is to further promote business between the two, with a focus on areas of common interest such as climate change and biotechnology.
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