NLIS 7
September 21, 2001
(Environment)
(Mines and Energy)
 

 Ministers to attend national meetings

From September 22-24, Environment Minister Ralph Wiseman and Mines and Energy Minister Lloyd Matthews will be in Manitoba to attend federal-provincial-territorial meetings of ministers. 

Minister Wiseman will attend the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) in The Pas, Manitoba, September 22-23. CCME is comprised of environment ministers from the federal, provincial and territorial governments. Meetings are normally held twice a year to discuss national environmental priorities and determine work to be carried out by CCME. At this meeting, discussions will focus on safe drinking water, climate change, pesticide use, as well as the need to establish stronger relationships with health ministers to address areas of common concern. Ministers will also continue their work on Canada-wide standards. In 1998, CCME ministers undertook to develop and set national standards for a number of substances considered to pose an environmental threat. 

"I am looking forward to meeting with my national, provincial and territorial colleagues to participate in informative discussions on a number of important environmental issues," said Minister Wiseman. "Environmental issues span across all provinces and territories, and it is essential that environment ministers across Canada work together to develop strategies and approaches for the betterment of our environment."

On September 24, 2001, Ministers Matthews and Wiseman will be in Winnipeg, Manitoba to meet with the federal, provincial and territorial Ministers of Energy and the Environment. It is co-chaired by Manitoba's Minister of Conservation, Oscar Lathlin, and federal Minister of the Environment, David Anderson. Federal Minister of Natural Resources, Ralph Goodale, will also be in attendance. This meeting is part of an ongoing process established by Canada's first ministers to discuss actions to address climate change and to determine the costs and benefits of greenhouse gas reductions.

"Climate change is an important issue for Canada and indeed the entire world. The impacts of climate change are already being felt globally. Newfoundland and Labrador is committed to working in full partnership with other jurisdictions to mitigate the effects of climate change and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions," said Minister Matthews.

Media contact: Diane Keough, Environment, (709) 729-2575
                       Tara Laing, Mines and Energy, (709) 729-4890

2001 09 21                                      3:10 p.m.