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| Backgrounder(s) & FactSheet(s): | Backgrounder |
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| Backgrounder(s) & FactSheet(s): | Backgrounder |
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
Premier Gordon Campbell and Manitoba Premier Gary Doer.
“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.”
“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.”
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;
·
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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contact: |
Press Secretary Office of the Premier 250 213-8218 |
Cabinet Communications Province of Manitoba 204 945-1494 |
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For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca. |
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