September 5, 2008
No. 194
The Honourable Michael M Fortier, Minister of International Trade, today announced the appointment of Anne M McCaskill as secretary to the NAFTA Secretariat for a four-year term.
"Ms. McCaskill's expertise in trade policy and negotiations, and her extensive background in Canada-United States relations, make her an ideal person to lead the Canadian Section of the NAFTA Secretariat," said Minister Fortier. "I am confident she will provide excellent leadership in this organization, which plays such an important role in Canada's economic and trade ties with the U.S. and Mexico."
Ms. McCaskill gained extensive experience in trade policy and negotiations during her 20-year career with the Canadian gover nment. She held senior appointments involving Canada-U.S. trade and economic relations within Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, as well as positions with the Privy Council Office, the Canadian missions to the WTO and the UN in Geneva, and th e Department of Finance Canada. Building on this expertise, Ms. McCaskill established The Somerset Policy Group in 1997, a consulting practice in Ottawa specializing in international trade and government relations.
The NAFTA Secretariat is responsible for administering NAFTA's trade dispute settlement provisions and is made up of national sections from the three member countries, each led by a secretary appointed by his or her respect ive government. The Canadian Section of the Secretariat also administers similar provisions under the Canada-Chile, Canada-Israel and Canada-Costa Rica free trade agreements.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Christopher Hilton
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of International Trade
613-992-7332
Trade Media Relations Office
F oreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
613-996-2000
www.internat ional.gc.ca/index.aspx
