December 15, 2006
NEW CLIMATE CHANGE INITIATIVES AMONG HIGHLIGHTS OF CALIFORNIA TRADE MISSION: DOER
LOS ANGELES, Calif. - Agreements on climate change, biotechnology and infectious disease research, as well as news that Polar Bears International is locating its world headquarters in Manitoba, were among the highlights of this week’s Manitoba trade mission to California, Premier Gary Doer said today.
The mission is Manitoba's largest within North America and includes more than 45 representatives from 25 different companies and institutions with a number of them making announcements while in the U.S.
“I have been proud to be part of this business mission. The type of leadership and innovation we are seeing from Manitobans here is why our province is known for its can-do attitude,” said Doer. “I want to congratulate the participants on their successes.”
This morning, the premier participated in a round-table discussion with California climate change experts including legislator Fran Pavley, the author of the state’s recent climate change and auto emissions bill.
The round table followed yesterday’s signing of a climate change agreement by Doer and California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. The memorandum of understanding will support a number of initiatives including Manitoba’s plan to draft legislation aimed at reducing harmful greenhouse gases.
In Los Angeles today, Linux Media Arts Inc., a developer of award-winning media production software and systems, announced a plan to set up a new Open Source product research and development centre in Winnipeg that will serve the global media industry in California.
“This is an exciting development for Winnipeg,” Doer said. “The plan includes training opportunities for young Manitobans in the high-tech area of new media and we are encouraged by its potential.”
Last night, Doer attended the L.A. premiere of Manitoba film-maker Guy Maddin’s latest film, Brand Upon the Brain. He joined Carole Vivier, CEO of Manitoba Film and Sound, to promote Manitoba to a large gathering of California film industry representatives. Maddin’s critically-acclaimed production is a silent film that features a live orchestra and a narrator. Canadian singer Alanis Morissette narrated the L.A. premiere.
Wednesday in San Diego, the University of Manitoba and the University of California, San Diego, (UCSD) signed an memorandum of understanding (MOU) to develop a collaborative research and exchange process between the two universities in the field of infectious disease. Both universities have strong, complementary programs in this area including researchers working in Africa. Significant potential exists for research and training collaboration.
The latest MOU builds on the University of Manitoba’s existing relationship with UCSD in the area of engineering and composite structures. The faculties of engineering at the two universities already have a collaborative research relationship focused on the use of fibre reinforced polymer (composite) materials in infrastructure renewal, structural health monitoring and technology transfer.
Also in San Diego, Protegra, a Winnipeg-based business consulting and technology solutions company, announced the official opening of its California office. The San Diego office will work closely with Protegra’s global solutions centre in Winnipeg.
“Expansion into the United States market opens opportunities both to grow the company in the United States and to provide more work for Manitobans. This affirms that a Winnipeg-based company can provide business and technology solutions to clients anywhere in the world,” said Wadood Ibrahim, CEO of Protegra.
California is one of Manitoba’s top export markets while Manitoba is one of California’s five best Canadian markets. Two-way trade between the jurisdictions totalled $557 million in 2005. The goal of the mission is to further promote business between the two, with a special focus on climate change.
Doer made several climate change announcements in San Diego, the first involving a consortium of business, including New Flyer Industries, that has received $9 million from the U.S. government to develop the newest generation of hydrogen fuel-cell buses. New Flyer is a Manitoba-based company that employs 1,800 people in Winnipeg.
It was also announced that Manitoba will be the new location for the world headquarters of Polar Bears International (PBI). PBI is joining forces with Partners in the Park, the Province of Manitoba, Power Corporation of Canada and the Burns Family Foundation in an effort to increase education and research on polar bears in the Hudson Bay region.
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