EDMONTON - Alberta and British Columbia signed four agreements today, including Memorandums of Understanding to share emergency response resources and to develop new ways to ensure the best value for taxpayer dollars through public-private partnerships, announced Premiers Ed Stelmach and Gordon Campbell at the fifth annual Alberta-B.C. joint Cabinet meeting.

"Today's signings mark yet another successful joint Cabinet meeting with Premier Campbell and his Cabinet that will improve services and economic opportunities for citizens in both provinces," said Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach. "Under the MOU on Capital Program Development, Alberta will be able to address infrastructure needs better, quicker and more cost effectively. The agreement will allow us to work with B.C. to co-ordinate the financing and procurement process for projects. It will increase competition and opportunities for companies and reduce costs for taxpayers."

"In the five years since we have held joint Cabinet meetings, B.C. and Alberta have now signed 24 agreements and I want to thank Premier Stelmach and his Cabinet for working with us to make our relationship even stronger," said B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell. "Our partnerships have helped our provinces lead the country in economic growth, have provided better services for citizens and will now enhance the protection of the public with an agreement to share emergency management resources."

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Capital Program Development enables the two provinces to share information, co-ordinate public-private finance and procurement processes and increase competition and opportunities for Alberta and B.C. companies that want to partner with government to deliver capital projects.

The Interprovincial Emergency Management Assistance Agreement establishes a framework for both provinces to share resources and important information on emergencies. The provinces will share situation reports, risk assessments, impact analyses and public communications should emergency situations exceed the resources of one province or the
other. The MOU will ensure prompt and effective emergency response supporting mutual assistance between the provinces and will expedite the movement of people and resources in the event of an emergency, such as flooding, forest fires or medical aid, in British Columbia or Alberta.

Other agreements reached at the Alberta-B.C. joint Cabinet meeting in Edmonton, include:
* MOU on Radiation Therapy: The agreement outlines collaboration to provide timely access to radiation therapy for residents of both provinces. The provinces will work together to respond to surge capacity demands and work with their cancer boards and health authorities on research, planning and implementation of an interprovincial approach to radiation therapy.
* MOU on Joint Procurement for Medical Devices and Pharmaceuticals: The framework will guide the development of a partnership between Alberta and British Columbia to explore the joint procurement of pharmaceuticals, medical equipment and other medical devices.

Alberta and British Columbia have a combined population of about eight million people, or almost one-quarter of the total population of Canada. Three of the six largest cities in Canada are in Alberta and British Columbia. The two provinces produce almost $400 billion worth of goods and services per year, or more than one-quarter of all goods and services in Canada. Last year, B.C. and Alberta signed the groundbreaking Trade, Investment, and Labour Mobility Agreement (TILMA), which created Canada's second largest economy.