B.C. to Fund World-Leading Climate Research
The Province will seek legislative approval for $94.5 million to create the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions. This will bring together top scientists, researchers, governments and the private sector to develop innovative climate change adaptation and mitigation solutions, Premier Gordon Campbell announced today.
Other details of the initiative include:
- The Institute will be a unique joint collaboration between the province’s four research-intensive universities – the University of Victoria, University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University and University of Northern British Columbia, the private sector and government;
- It will bring provincial, national and international climate researchers together to work with governments and the private sector to develop ideas that can be applied and transferred to government, industry and the public; and
- The Institute will be founded on four pillars: Research on climate change impacts; assessment of mitigation and adaptation options, including technology development; education and capacity building; and outreach through knowledge management and technology transfer.
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Premier Campbell Addresses Adapting to Climate Change Conference
Premier Gordon Campbell delivered a keynote address on climate adaptation challenges at the Adapting to Climate Change conference in Ottawa, Ontario on January 23, 2008, hosted by the Conference Board of Canada.
Last year British Columbia became the first jurisdiction in North America to put greenhouse gas emission reduction targets into law. Other highlights of the Premier’s speech included:
- Encouraging a change in mind set amongst the nation: Individuals, communities, provinces and the country all need to start with small changes;
- It’s not too late to mitigate and to adapt to the impact of climate change using long term strategies; and
- B.C. has initiated several new strategies to reduce the province’s reliance on fossil fuels and the appointment of a climate action team, implementing long term strategies to fight climate change.
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Canada’s First Enhanced Driver’s Licence Launched in B.C.
Canada’s first enhanced driver’s licences (EDLs) will be available in British Columbia for use by eligible B.C. residents driving to the United States, Premier Gordon Campbell and Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day announced January 21, 2008. Enhanced driver licenses are proposed as an alternative to the passport that will be required to enter the United States at its land and water borders no earlier that June 2009.
Other details of the enhanced driver’s program include:
- This initial phase will allow the Governments of Canada and British Columbia to test the effectiveness of the program and based on the results, the program could be extended to all Canadian citizens residing in British Columbia.
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British Columbia Contributes to Raise-A-Reader Campaign
As part of Family Literacy Week, the Province is fulfilling its commitment to CanWest’s Raise-a-Reader campaign with a matching donation of over $895,000, the largest contribution yet.
The matching funding for the Raise-a-Reader campaign will go to support many literacy groups, such as the Canucks Family Education Centre, Literacy BC, S.U.C.C.E.S.S., CNIB, Aboriginal HIPPY Canada (Home Instruction for Parents of Pre-school Youngsters) and Big Sisters of B.C. Lower Mainland. Other details about the Raise-A-Reader Campaign:
- The Province has been matching funds raised through the campaign since 2004 and to date has contributed nearly $2.4 million. B.C.’s matching funding this year will help to support more than 180 beneficiary organizations and help British Columbia continue to lead the country in Raise-a-Reader fundraising.
- Since its inception in Vancouver in 1997, the Raise-a-Reader campaign and its sponsors have made significant contributions to help improve literacy for children and families across the province.
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