Media Advisory: Federal, Provincial and Territorial Ministers
of Environment Meet in Yellowknife

The ministers responsible for the environment, wildlife, endangered species and parks have a full agenda scheduled when they meet in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, for the annual meetings of the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME), the Canadian Parks Council (CPC), the Wildlife Ministers Council of Canada (WMCC) and the Canadian Endangered Species Conservation Council (CESCC). The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Environment and Conservation will join his counterparts on October 11-12 at the Explorer Hotel.

�These meetings provide an avenue to engage all jurisdictions in frank and productive discussions on issues that impact our ability to manage our parks, wildlife, renewable natural resources and environment in a prudent and sustainable manner,� said the minister. �I look forward to hearing from my colleagues and having input in developing strategies that will ensure a means of protecting and managing species at risk and sustaining our natural heritage and environment.�

Agenda items for the CCME meetings include the federal government�s clean air agenda, the direction and priorities for CCME action, and municipal wastewater effluent. The CESCC and WMCC will discuss the status of some wildlife diseases in Canada and various aspects of conservation programs related to species at risk, including a national policy framework, species listing and recovery, and aboriginal involvement. The CPC will be reviewing strategic priorities and accomplishments and the contribution of parks to the economy and population health.

These ministers will also join their colleagues who are responsible for fisheries, aquaculture and forestry resources to discuss issues that are of interest to all areas of responsibilities such as biodiversity and protected areas.

Media contact:
Diane Hart
Director of Communications
Department of Environment and Conservation
709-729-2575, 685-4401
dianehart@gov.nl.ca