Capital Report~February 1, 2008
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Premier Gordon Campbell is joined by Minister of Environment Barry Penner as he addresses New Brunswick Premier Shawn Graham (pictured above right) and the rest of Canada's premiers at the Climate Change Adaptation Forum. The Council met for discussions on how Canada's provinces and territories can cooperate in meeting the challenges of global warming. January 29, 2008.

New Bioenergy Strategy Advances Innovation

The BC Bioenergy Strategy will create new opportunities for rural communities, spur new investment and innovation and help British Columbia reach the goal of becoming electricity self-sufficient by 2016.

  • This strategy includes $25 million in funding to establish a provincial Bioenergy Network for greater investment and innovation in B.C. bioenergy projects and technologies.
  • It will support research into socially and environmentally responsible dedicated energy crop production and enhance biotechnology solutions for biomass-to-energy conversion.
  • The Bioenergy Network will encourage the development of pilot and demonstration projects with industries and communities including the goal of meeting 50 per cent or more of B.C.’s renewable fuel requirements by 2020 with biofuels produced in B.C..

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CP BC SPIRIT OF 150 Train Connects Past and Future

A year-long celebration of British Columbia's 150th anniversary was launched, with Premier Gordon Campbell and Canadian Pacific president and CEO Fred Green unveiling plans for a historic steam train tour that will take communities on a journey through B.C.’s rich and diverse history.

  • The CP BC Spirit of 150 Rail Tour will visit British Columbia communities along the Canadian Pacific route between June 1 and 30, 2008. Information about the route is being finalized and will be provided before the tour begins.
  • Visitors can view historic displays, watch a stage show and interact with costumed performers depicting some of B.C.’s most entertaining and notorious historical figures.
  • As part of the project, the Royal BC Museum will create an exhibition in the heritage baggage car – a travelling version of “Free Spirit: Stories of You, Me and B.C.,” a major exhibition about British Columbia opening in Victoria on March 13, 2008.

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There are currently no interviews scheduled.

Quotes This Week

“The new institute for climate change is the latest effort by the Premier to address [climate change]. His foresight could lead to British Columbians being among the world’s leaders in developing technologies that the entire world will one day need.”
The Kelowna Daily Courier, Jan. 28th, 2008. 

“[Premier] Campbell has championed the climate-change cause in Canada, authoring the most progressive and aggressive plan to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions in the country.”
The Globe and Mail, January 31st, 2008.


Did You Know?

  • For the second consecutive year, a province-wide survey of emergency care services indicates almost 85 per cent of patients surveyed rate the quality of care they received as good to excellent overall.
  • All children in kindergarten in British Columbia will now receive free testing for early vision problems. Early vision screening can detect common vision problems, such as near- and far-sightedness, amblyopia (“lazy eye”) or strabismus (“cross-eye”). If the screening identifies a potential problem, the child will be referred to an optometrist or ophthalmologist for follow up.
  • The Province will provide the City of Prince George with $200,000 to fund the city’s request for an in-depth flood risk analysis that will identify long-term flood protection solutions for the community. To date, the Province has provided the city with gabion dikes, sandbags, flood experts as well as funding for the Amphibex ice-breaker and the warm water de-icing system.
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