Toronto, Canada - Provincial and municipal leaders made clean air commitments at the Toronto and Region 2006 Intergovernmental Declaration on Clean Air at the 7th Annual Smog Summit on June 7 and 8, 2006.

According to a report from the Ontario Medical Association, smog accounts for nearly 6,000 premature deaths each year, while hospital visits for cardiovascular and respiratory complications will top 16,000 this year - at a cost of $8-billion.

Government leaders speaking at the summit included: Ontario Minister of the Environment Laurel Broten; Ontario Minister of Transportation Donna Cansfield; and, City of Toronto Mayor David Miller. Other special guests included Dr. Greg Evans of the University of Toronto and Lino Luison of Enbridge Gas Distribution.

The Smog Summit draws on the expertise and collective efforts of the GTA Clean Air Council, which includes representation from four federal government departments, two provincial government ministries, 21 municipalities and three associate members, to identify and promote the most effective initiatives to improve air quality.

For further information on the clean air commitment, visit: www.cleanairpartnership.org.