BRITISH COLUMBIA TO LEAD WESTERN WATER COUNCIL

PRINCE ALBERT, SASKATCHEWAN – British Columbia will establish a secretariat to support a new Western Water Stewardship Council, which will ensure western provinces have a safe supply of water, Premier Gordon Campbell announced today after the Western Premiers’ Conference.

“All provinces recognize that we share the same water interests and supply chains, and that we must work together on conservation, quality and supply,” said Premier Campbell. “When you consider that the Rocky Mountains are a source of water for B.C., Alberta and Saskatchewan and much of the water that flows east is collected in Manitoba, it is important that we have a collective water plan that benefits citizens in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.”

The Western Water Stewardship Council will undertake work such as monitoring and reporting; water supply assessment; demand management; aquatic ecosystem health; education and outreach; watershed planning and governance; and sharing information networks and systems. The council will also explore the potential for developing a western drought preparedness plan.

Since watersheds cross provincial, territorial and international borders, effective collaboration and coordination of trans-boundary water issues is critical to ensuring the continued growth and success of the West. Premiers noted the important role the federal government must play in managing cross-border water issues with the United States and urged the federal government to work closely with provinces and territories to ensure Canadian water resources are fully protected.

Western premiers also agreed that British Columbia’s Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions will establish a national policy network on climate change issues and will report annually to the Western Premiers’ Conference. Western Premiers also agreed that a national policy network on climate change issues would be a positive development, and they agreed to raise this at the upcoming Council of the Federation meeting in Quebec City, July 16-18.

“British Columbia established the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions to bring together top scientists, researchers, governments and the private sector to develop innovative climate change adaptation and mitigation solutions,” said Premier Campbell.

The western premiers also agreed to visit U.S. cities including Chicago, Houston and Los Angeles to discuss opportunities for trade and economic growth and emphasize the trade relationship between Western Canada and the United States. The United States and Canada share the largest bilateral trading relationship in the world: approximately $1.5 billion US in two-way trade crosses the border daily. Thirty-six states count Canada as their largest export market.

“There is a strong trading relationship between Western Canada and the U.S., and working on enhancing that relationship will benefit people on both sides of the border,” said Premier Campbell. “The U.S. is already British Columbia’s and Canada’s number one trading partner, and it makes sense to spread the word about the opportunities that exist in the western provinces.”

Western premiers also discussed:

Support for Jordan’s Principle – the principle that jurisdiction should not get in the way of providing health or other services to Aboriginal children in need. Premiers emphasized that jurisdictional issues cannot be allowed to create barriers to Aboriginal children being afforded opportunities to learn and grow.
The carbon capture and storage (CCS) pilot projects currently underway in Western Canada and the importance of moving this technology toward commercialization. Western premiers recognize that CCS technologies should be a national priority if Canada is to substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions while retaining its ability to provide much-needed energy to the world. Western premiers will, as a priority, raise the importance of CCS at the upcoming Council of the Federation meeting in July.
The importance of rural and remote communities in the economic, social and cultural fabric of Western and Northern Canada. They also discussed the critical role of rural and remote northern communities in exercising Canadian sovereignty. Premiers discussed the need to develop infrastructure in the North that supports growth, given the early stages of development there.
How improved and expanded transportation infrastructure in rural and remote communities promotes economic development and diversification, reduces the cost of living, improves quality of life and is a key element in ensuring the vitality and sustainability of rural and remote communities.
Improving outcomes for Aboriginal students. Premiers called on the federal government to work with provinces, territories, and Aboriginal governments and organizations to eliminate the education gap.
The need to develop alternative energy sources as complementary sources that would reduce dependency on diesel as the single fuel source for rural and remote communities.
The importance of increasing labour force participation in order to address expected labour force shortages, both skilled and unskilled, now and in the coming decade. Particular emphasis must be placed on the young, dynamic and growing Aboriginal population and the growing demographic of older workers.

To view all the press releases from the Western Premier’s Conference in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, go to: http://www.scics.gc.ca/new_e.html

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Media contact:	Bridgitte Anderson Press Secretary Office of the Premier 604 307-7177

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