(No. 328 – October 8, 2010 – 7:30 p.m. ET) The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement after the conclusion of talks, held in Washington, D.C., on October 7 and 8, on Manitoba-North Dakota water issues:
"These talks were an important opportunity to have frank and open discussions on a range of long-standing water issues.
"The talks identified a number of positive steps forward, including accelerating the work on the quantity and quality of water released from Devils Lake. Canada has been supportive of Manitoba's concerns on water-quality issues.
"Managing Canada and the United States' transboundary waters is an important component of the relationship between the two countries. I am pleased at the constructive first step these talks represent and look forward to more discussions in the near future.
"I would also like to extend my thanks and appreciation to Senator Byron Dorgan for hosting the meeting, Senator Kent Conrad, Congressman Earl Pomeroy, Governor John Hoeven and Premier Greg Selinger for their participation and engagement, and Canadian ambassador to the U.S. Gary Doer and U.S. ambassador to Canada David Jacobson for their continuing efforts to facilitate the discussions."
The talks involved senior representatives of the governments of Canada, the United States, Manitoba and North Dakota.
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Melissa Lantsman
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
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Foreign Affairs Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
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