Capital Report ~ June 1, 2007
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Premier Gordon Campbell and California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed an agreement that will result in unprecedented levels of co-operation between B.C. and California on reducing greenhouse gases, protecting the Pacific Ocean and strengthening economic ties.

Campbell, Schwarzenegger Sign Agreement on Climate Action

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger was in British Columbia this week to meet with Premier Gordon Campbell about furthering the cooperation between the two jurisdictions to combat climate change.

In Vancouver, the Premier and Governor signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between British Columbia and California that sets out joint action on climate change and Pacific Ocean conservation, representing an unprecedented level of co-operation.

The MOU on Pacific Coast Collaboration to Protect our Shared Climate and Ocean commits B.C. and California to:

  • Work together to cap and significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions;
  • Collaborate on the innovation and implementation of clean technologies;
  • Join with other jurisdictions to build a hydrogen highway from British Columbia to Baja California;
  • Sharing information about coastal and ocean resources and health
  • Collaborating on best practices for the development, monitoring and management of marine protection areas;
  • Synchronizing of environmental protection at Pacific ports; and
  • Cultivating stronger relations between existing sea-floor observatories such as NEPTUNE, VENUS and MARS (Saanich Inlet, Juan de Fuca tectonic plate and Monterey Bay, respectively).

Click for more information.

Premier Campbell Unveils ActNow BC Leadership Council

 Premier Gordon Campbell unveiled a newly created ActNow BC Leadership Council that will lead British Columbia in the promotion of healthy living as British Columbians marked ActNow BC Day this week.

The ActNow BC Leadership Council will help the Province meet the targets for ActNow BC by promoting the importance of physical activity, proper nutrition, eliminating tobacco use and making healthy choices during pregnancy in achieving overall good health.

The ActNow BC Leadership Council is composed of the following members:

  • Dr. Evan Adams, Aboriginal Health Physician Advisor with the Office of the Provincial Health Officer, B.C. Ministry of Health;
  • John Bishop, owner of Bishop’s Restaurant;
  • Stephanie Cadieux, Manager of Accessibility for 2010 Legacies Now Society;
  • Ward Clapham, Superintendent with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police;
  • Dr. Art Hister, honorary chairman of the BC Alzheimer’s Society annual Walk for Memories;
  • Satnam Johal, founder of the Hargobind Wrestling Club;
  • Mark Nairn, Co-Chair of the Agrifood Partners in Healthy Eating;
  • Lui Passaglia, Director of Community Relations for the BC Lions;
  • Jamie Pitblado, Vice President of Promotions & Community Investment for Pacific Newspaper Group Inc.;
  • Peter Robinson, Chief Executive Officer of Mountain Equipment Co-op;
  • Sandra Stevenson, KidSport™ Canada;
  • Faye Wightman, President and CEO of the Vancouver Foundation;
  • Robert McFarlane, Executive Vice-president and Chief Financial Officer for TELUS in Vancouver; and
  • Ralph Sultan, MLA for West Vancouver-Capilano.

Click for more information.

Saturday, June 2, 2007
Ralph Sultan, MLA for West Vancouver-Capilano, will be featured on Constituency Report on Shaw Cable 4 in the Lower Mainland from 8:00-8:30am and from 4:00-4:30pm.

Carole Taylor, MLA for Vancouver-Langara and Minister of Finance, will be featured on Constituency Report on Shaw Cable 4 in the Lower Mainland from 8:30-9:00am and from 4:30-5:00pm.

Sunday, June 3, 2007
John van Dongen, MLA for Abbotsford-Clayburn and Minister of State for Intergovernmental Relations, will be featured on Constituency Report on Shaw Cable 4 in the Lower Mainland from 8:30-9:00am and from 5:30-6:00pm.

Quotes This Week

“With your willingness to be innovative in clean technology, you are poised to start British Columbia’s new gold rush.”
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on the leadership shown by British Columbia in capitalizing on the new green economy. Victoria Times Colonist, June 1, 2007.

“We think it is a great opportunity for everybody. It is known the area is well mineralized and the problem has been infrastructure. The road, power and pipelines will be really positive for everyone.”
Tom Drivas, president of Romios Gold, discussing the community benefits of the new $2 billion Galore Creek mine project. Vancouver Sun, June 1, 2007.

“What this will do is certainly put B.C. ahead of Ontario in the transportation sector should Ontario not move forward with California emission standards.”
Ian Bruce, climate change specialist with the David Suzuki Foundation, offering his support for British Columbia's move to adopt a low-carbon fuel standard and greenhouse-gas tailpipe emissions standards. Globe and Mail, June 1, 2007.


Did You Know?
  • Premier Campbell announced this week that t he City of Kamloops has been selected to host the 2011 Western Canada Summer Games.

  • The Province is returning $58.8 million in traffic fine revenues to British Columbia municipalities, as part of government's ongoing commitment to enhance policing and public safety. 

  • The goal of ActNow BC is to promote the importance of physical activity, proper nutrition, eliminating tobacco use and making healthy choices during pregnancy in achieving overall good health. Proper nutrition and exercise can reduce the incidence of type II diabetes by 90 per cent, reduce the incidence of most types of cancer by 50 per cent and reduce the impact of cardiovascular diseases and strokes by 30 per cent. 
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