October 23, 2007
Campbell, Doer Sign Agreement On Climate Action
WINNIPEG –Manitoba and British Columbia will join forces to deal with climate change, improve conditions for Aboriginal citizens, and further international relations and trade under an agreement signed today by Manitoba Premier Gary Doer and B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell.
“British Columbia and Manitoba have common interests and there is great value in strengthening our co-operation,” Doer said. “We share a strong commitment in areas such as climate action and working with Aboriginal leaders and communities. This agreement will further collaborative and co-operative efforts that benefit Manitobans, British Columbians and all Canadians.”
“Manitoba and B.C. recognize the need for partnership and collective action on climate change, labour mobility, international trade and relations and closing the social and economic gaps for First Nations,” Campbell said. “Through this agreement, we will share information, new technologies and speak with a collective voice on issues of national and continental importance.”
The agreement affirms the commitment of both provinces to reduce greenhouse gas emissions below 1990 levels and beyond, and sets out specific actions that will help meet those targets. Measures include:
· developing and implementing green building codes that achieve the highest level of energy efficiency in Canada;
· broadening renewable energy portfolios to include additional hydro, wind power, geothermal, solar and biomass power;
· designing a multi-sector market-based mechanism through the Western Climate Initiative by the end of August 2008; and
· promoting the development and use of low-emitting vehicle technologies including plug-in hybrid and hydrogen technologies and through initiatives such as the Hydrogen Highway and hydrogen transit projects.
The agreement will also see the provinces work in consultation with Aboriginal leadership to help close the socio-economic gaps between Aboriginal and other Canadians. A key focus will be to compare strategies to improve K-12 completion rates, increase the number of Aboriginal students in post-secondary school and share approaches to successful economic development.
B.C. and Manitoba will pursue enhanced measures to ensure Canada’s immigration system for both temporary foreign workers and permanent residents meets the labour market needs of both provinces. As well, the provinces will collaborate to advance opportunities for workers in regulated occupations to seek opportunities in both jurisdictions.
The agreement will also see the two provinces co-operate on international relations and trade including work on enhanced driver’s licences and other international trade opportunities. As well, the provinces will pursue a “one project–one assessment” approach with the federal government to streamline environmental assessments.
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The Government of Manitoba is distributing this news release on behalf of the Governments of Manitoba, British Columbia and Arizona