This alone is testimony to the power of partnerships. Because quite frankly, without your input and participation, EECO would never have seen the light of day. In fact, one of the key things we've realized at the Ministry of the Environment is that the solutions to the environmental challenges we face are in our schools, in our communities and in the relationships we've built with governments, businesses and all Ontarians throughout this province. There are no solo acts or magic wands. Finding solutions to our environmental problems takes a concerted and active effort by all of us.
Environmental issues extend across both provincial and federal borders.
They affect each and every one of us. And whether we're in Windsor or Detroit, we all breathe the same air. In this regard, I'm delighted that Secretary James Seif, of the Department of Environmental Protection for the state of Pennsylvania, is here with us as a conference participant. I've had the opportunity to speak to Secretary Seif on several occasions and know that his department is doing extensive work in encouraging companies to voluntarily adopt environmental management systems. I highlight this example simply to show how in sync our two governments are.