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Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec join forces on cap-and-trade system

Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard, left, Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne, center, and Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger shake hands during a signing ceremony at the COP21, the United Nations Climate Change Conference Monday, Dec. 7, 2015 in Le Bourget, north of Paris. The Paris conference is the 21st time world governments are meeting to seek a joint solution to climate change. The talks are focused on reducing emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, primarily by shifting from oil, coal and gas to cleaner sources of energy. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena).

PARIS – Manitoba has signed an agreement with Ontario and Quebec, formalizing the intent of all three provinces to link their cap-and-trade systems.

The premiers of the three provinces signed a memorandum of understanding today at the climate change conference in Paris.

Under the Western Climate Initiative, the three provinces’ cap-and-trade systems will be linked with California’s.

Quebec already has an active cap-and-trade market with California, while Ontario is still working out details as it plans to introduce its system in 2017.

READ MORE: Paris climate talks: Trudeau mum on climate plan timeline

Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger announced last week when he unveiled the province’s climate change plan that it would join Ontario and Quebec by introducing a cap-and-trade program for 20 large emitters.

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Speaking today in Paris, Selinger said he believes more states and subnational governments can be convinced to join them in linking cap-and-trade systems, which put a price on carbon emissions in an effort to reduce greenhouse gases.

READ MORE: Climate change a low priority for most Canadians: Ipsos poll

“I think this agreement allows us to have more tools to make a difference when it comes to climate change,” Selinger said. “We can learn from each other’s experience.”

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