Ontario And California Sign Historic Accord On Low-Carbon Fuel Standard,
Collaborate On Cancer Research
TORONTO, May 30 /CNW/ - Premier Dalton McGuinty announced today that the
governments of Ontario and California are joining forces to fight cancer and
climate change.
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger joined Premier McGuinty at the
Ontario legislature, where they signed a Memorandum of Understanding on
climate change.
"Both Ontario and California have been taking action on climate change by
introducing progressive policies and encouraging innovation," said Premier
McGuinty. "Today, Canada's most populous province and America's most populous
state have joined together to tackle one of our greatest challenges - as
business partners, as places that share a legacy of innovation and progressive
thinking, and as friends."
"Like California, Ontario is leading the way in recognizing that we must
take action now to fight global warming and reduce our dependence on fossil
fuels," said Governor Schwarzenegger. "States, provinces, regions and
countries must all work together to find solutions that both protect our
environment and grow our economy at the same time. We need to engage all
sectors of our economy, including international trade - and encourage the
best, brightest and most creative minds to work together to tackle global
climate change."
Under the historic accord, Ontario and California are partnering to fight
global warming by coordinating policies on fuel standards. Ontario will
require producers to reduce carbon emissions from transportation fuels by
10 per cent by 2020 - the equivalent of removing 700,000 cars from the roads.
This approach allows the market, rather than the government, to determine
how to reduce emissions at the lowest cost and in the most consumer-friendly
way.
Other highlights of the cross-border accord include:- Collaborating on energy efficiency programs
- Coordinating efforts to switch to clean energy technologies, promote
green buildings and increase efficiency
- Working together on national, North American and international
emissions trading
- Exploring market-based mechanisms such as expanding the Western
Regional Climate Action Initiative to encourage an effective carbon
market.Premier McGuinty and Governor Schwarzenegger also met at the MaRS
Discovery District in Toronto, where they agreed to back promising new stem
cell research that will help uncover new therapies for cancer.
The McGuinty government is investing $30 million to support the new
Cancer Stem Cell Consortium, which will be headquartered at the MaRS centre.
Working with colleagues in California, scientists in Ontario will investigate
new therapies for cancer based on stem cell research. The Ontario Institute
for Cancer Research will oversee the collaboration efforts.
"These initiatives unite some of the best scientists in the world and it
shows what we can do when we work together to solve big problems," said
Governor Schwarzenegger. "I also want to offer my deepest gratitude to the
scientists and doctors in California and Canada who are using our resources to
find new therapies and cures. These innovators are adding new rays of hope for
the millions of people around the world who suffer from diseases like
Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, cancer and multiple sclerosis."
"California and Ontario researchers pioneered the discovery of cancer
stem cells," said Premier McGuinty. "Through continued collaboration, we're
going to keep working, dreaming and building together to fight this terrible
disease and renew hope for a lasting cure."Disponible en français
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