For immediate release
June 8, 2005

6th Annual Smog Summit Brings All Levels of Government Together for Clean Air Action

TORONTO – Today, federal, provincial and municipal government leaders gather to celebrate the achievements in emission reduction strategies and to launch new programs that are necessary to reduce air pollution announced Eva Ligeti, Executive Director of the Clean Air Partnership.

Government leaders invite the public to join them at Toronto City Hall for the 6th annual Smog Summit when they commit to clean air initiatives by signing the Toronto and Region 2005 Inter-governmental Declaration on Clean Air.

There will be remarks and announcements from Minister Stéphane Dion of Environment Canada, Minister John Godfrey of Infrastructure Canada, Minister Leona Dombrowsky of the Ontario Ministry of Environment, and Mayor David Miller of the City of Toronto.

"Enbridge supports programs to help clear the air through our own business practices and through our sponsorships," said Jim Schultz, President of Enbridge Gas Distribution, a founding sponsor of the Summit. "The Smog Summit provides a forum for important dialogue on strategies that will help us all breathe better together."

The Smog Summit highlights the past year’s efforts by the GTA Clean Air Council whose expertise and collective efforts identify and promote the most effective initiatives to reduce air pollution across the GTA. The GTA Clean Air Council now includes representation from four federal government departments, two provincial government ministries, 21 municipalities and three associate members.

As part of the agenda and consistent with this year’s theme; transportation and health, Paula Todd will question municipal members of the GTA Clean Air Council to gain insight into opportunities and potential solutions to reduce and prevent air pollution.

“The partnerships we have developed over the last six years have created enormous potential for clean air solutions,” said Eva Ligeti, Executive Director of the Clean Air Partnership. “Progress has been continuous and steady but there is still much more we need to do to make a difference in the quality of our air and the associated health costs.”

The Clean Air Partnership, a non-profit charitable organization that works in partnership to promote and coordinate improvements to local air quality, presents this event. The Clean Air Partnership convenes the Smog Summit and GTA Clean Air Council meetings. Sponsors of the Smog Summit include: Toronto Atmospheric Fund, Enbridge Gas Distribution, Toronto Hydro Corporation, Government of Canada, Government of Ontario, City of Toronto, and the GTA Clean Air Council. For more information and a full schedule of events visit www.smogsummit.org.

For more information and a full schedule of events visit www.smogsummit.org.

Contact:
Eva Ligeti
Clean Air Partnership

For more information visit www.cleanairpartnership.org