Environment and Conservation
June 24, 2015

Ensuring a Sustainable Environment

Minister Comments on Progress Made at Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment Meeting

The Honourable Dan Crummell, Minister of Environment and Conservation and Minister Responsible for the Office of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency and the Multi-Materials Stewardship Board, joined his federal, territorial and provincial counterparts at the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) meeting, which concluded yesterday afternoon in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Climate change was the central topic of the meeting and ministers agreed to strengthen collaboration and continue to take action in their jurisdictions in the fight against climate change.

�The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador�s approach to addressing climate change is further strengthened by our partnership with other provinces, territories and the Federal Government through a new climate change committee established yesterday under CCME. Through a coordinated and complementary approach, the committee will work on priorities identified by ministers in order to effectively address climate change and will facilitate ongoing engagement on this serious issue.�
- The Honourable Dan Crummell, Minister of Environment and Conservation and Minister Responsible for the Office of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency

Ministers also received a presentation highlighting initiatives across the country, including increasing renewable energy development. This is of particular importance to this province as the development of Muskrat Falls will reduce provincial greenhouse gas emissions by 10 per cent from 2020 business-as-usual projections when Holyrood is retired. Further, once operational, Muskrat Falls will position Newfoundland and Labrador as a leader in clean energy, with 98 per cent of the province�s energy generated from renewable sources.

In addition to climate change, other areas of discussion included waste reduction, air pollution, and environmental spills preparedness and response. Minister Crummell took the opportunity to address the issue of the Manolis L at the CCME table. Minister Crummell also discussed the matter with federal Environment Minister, the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq.

�The issue of the Manolis L is a serious one and I strongly expressed to my colleagues the concerns of the residents of the area � and all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians � and reiterated our position that the Federal Government needs to take responsibility for this environmental danger and remove the vessel once and for all. My conversation with Minister Aglukkaq was also a positive one and she assured me that she has addressed the matter with Minister Shea. I am confident that the Government of Canada will move forward on the matter and I will continue to raise the concerns of the people of the province until the appropriate action has been taken.�
- Minister Crummell

CCME comprises environment ministers from each of the provinces, territories and the Government of Canada and is the primary minister-led intergovernmental forum for collective action on environmental issues of national and international concern. Qu�bec will host the council�s next meeting.

The official meeting communique can be found at www.ccme.ca/en/whats_new/article.html?id=35

QUICK FACTS

• The Honourable Dan Crummell, Minister of Environment and Conservation, participated in the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) meeting in Winnipeg, June 22-23.
• Climate change was the central topic of discussion and a new climate change committee was established under CCME.
• Ministers also received a presentation highlighting initiatives across the country, including increasing renewable energy development. The development of Muskrat Falls will reduce this province�s greenhouse gas emissions and once operational, position Newfoundland and Labrador as a leader in clean energy, with 98 per cent of the province�s energy generated from renewable sources.
• Minister Crummell also took the opportunity to address the issue of the Manolis L at the CCME table. Minister Crummell was encouraged by the discussion about the vessel, as well as his conversation with Minister Aglukkaq and is hopeful that Federal Government action on the issue is forthcoming.

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Media contact:

Jennifer Collingwood Director of Communications Department of Environment and Conservation Office of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency 709-729-2575, 689 8605 JenniferCollinwood@gov.nl.ca

2015 06 24                            3:05 p.m.