MONTREAL, Que. -- June 21, 2011 -- Canada's Environment Minister Peter Kent, as the current chair of the Commission on Environmental Cooperation (CEC), is welcoming his counterparts from the United States and Mexico to the annual Commission for Environmental Cooperation meeting, which starts today.
"Many of the environmental issues our three countries face know no boundaries and, under the Commission, we all work together to improve our shared North American environment," said Minister Kent. "We also strive to provide North American solutions to global environmental challenges. As chair of the CEC over the last year, Canada was pleased to help advance our shared commitment to renew the Commission, and move forward on our priorities, which include addressing climate change, greening the economy, and supporting healthy communities and ecosystems."
The CEC has a strong record of environmental achievement having, for example, already taken action to reduce or eliminate the use, release and exposure of various chemicals, including mercury and lindane. In addition to its current priorities, work has started, for example, to improve the comparability of Canadian, United States and Mexican greenhouse gas inventories to create a solid foundation for further action to address climate change.
The session will end with joint announcements, including the launch of a new community grant program.
For more information, please contact:
Melissa Lantsman
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of the Environment
819-997-1441
Media Relations
Environment Canada
819-934-8008
