SACRAMENTO (California), January 18, 2005 -- The Honourable Stéphane Dion, Canada’s Environment Minister and the Honourable Jean Lapierre, Canada’s Transport Minister met today with California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger as part of their fact-finding mission to the State to discuss matters including air quality, fuel efficiency and environmental technology. It was recognized that Canada and California share some similar environmental goals and can benefit from greater information sharing. Along with the Governor, the mission includes meetings with Heads of Agencies, State legislators, economic advisors, business leaders, non-governmental organizations, the Port of Los Angeles and the California Fuel Cell Partnership. The Ministers’ mission is an opportunity to take stock of California’s experience with a wide variety of environment and transportation issues. Learning more about California’s approach to reducing smog and automotive greenhouse gas emissions are, however among the main goals of the mission. It comes as the Government of Canada’s discussions continue with the auto industry to achieve a voluntary agreement to reach a 25 percent improvement in vehicle fuel efficiency by 2010 as a key element of its climate change strategy. California meanwhile has adopted a standard to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from cars and light trucks by 30 percent by 2016. . “ The Government of Canada’s preferred approach is a satisfactory voluntary agreement with industry. My colleague, the Honourable R. John Efford, Minister of Natural Resources Canada, and I have been in discussions with the industry on this and we want to move quickly,” said Minister Dion. “Information from discussions with Governor Schwarzenegger and other California decision-makers, along with that from other jurisdictions, will help us examine regulatory alternatives we may need should talks with the industry not conclude successfully as we hope.” “The Government of Canada is firmly committed to achieving, by 2010, a 25 percent improvement from current standards in the fuel efficiency of new vehicles sold in Canada,” stated Minister Efford. The Minister also expects to be able to announce in the very near future the path forward for achieving the objective. “California is a world leader and innovator in addressing both environmental issues in general and transportation issues in particular,” said Minister Lapierre. “The State has developed an interesting approach to greenhouse gas emission standards for automobiles and light trucks. We want to learn about California’s experiences firsthand so we can better assess our options for moving forward.” The parties also discussed their respective goals on hydrogen technology innovation. The Government of Canada is supporting development of a Hydrogen Highway between Vancouver and Whistler, British Columbia in time for the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Government of California meanwhile is supporting development of a Hydrogen Highway in the State as well. The meeting encouraged increased information sharing to identify opportunities to work together on technology deployment, research and development, fueling infrastructure, and codes and standards in efforts to achieve the mutual benefit of a West Coast Hydrogen Highway. Officials from Canada and California will stay in contact to share relevant information on their experiences as each jurisdiction pursues their respective approaches to achieving emissions reductions and hydrogen innovation goals. - 30 - For more information, please contact : André Lamarrre Director of Communications Minister Dion’s Office (819) 997-1441 Irène Marcheterre Director of Communications Minister Lapierre’s Office (613) 991-0700 Tom Ormsby Director of Communications Office of the Minister Natural Resources Canada Ottawa (613) 996-2007
