B.C. Joins International Effort to Tackle Global Warming
Premier Gordon Campbell was in Lisbon, Portugal this week to join with leaders from across North America and the European Union to sign the International Carbon Action Partnership (ICAP).
Global warming is a problem that requires a global solution. ICAP will facilitate such a global solution by:
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Rigorously and accurately monitoring, reporting and verifying emissions and working to determine reliable sources appropriate for inclusion in a globally linked program.
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Encouraging common approaches and furthering partners’ ability to link together to expand the global carbon market.
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Encouraging private investors to choose low carbon projects and technologies, generating the flow of money needed to support a shift to a low-carbon future.
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Providing flexible compliance mechanisms that ensure reliable reductions at the fastest pace and lowest cost.
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Terry Fox Research Institute Headquarters Coming to Vancouver
The provincial government is providing $30 million to the Terry Fox Foundation to fund a new Terry Fox Research Institute that will have sites across the country, with its headquarters located in Vancouver.
The Terry Fox Research Institute (TFRI) will be a national organization for cancer research with a focus on translational research that will enable discoveries to translate quickly into practical solutions to benefit cancer patients.
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The Terry Fox Foundation (TFF) will invest a minimum of $50 million over the next five years in this initiative and will partner with major cancer centres across Canada to maximize the effectiveness of this investment.
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The $30 million from the Province of B.C. will support the institute’s headquarters in the BC Cancer Agency building as well as research staff.
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Province Increases Funding to Transition Housing to Protect Women and Children
The Province announced this week that women and children seeking refuge from violence will soon have 24/7 access to all provincially funded transition houses, thanks to a $6-million boost over three years to the Province’s violence intervention supports.
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There are 60 provincially funded transition houses in B.C. Twenty-seven of them were already receiving funds to staff 24 hours a day.
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This funding increase means the vast majority of transition houses are now operating 24/7 and the few remaining will be staffed at all hours by January 2008.
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