Canada Promotes Cooperation with United States on Arctic and Environmental Issues
Canada values the long-standing cooperation that our two countries have fostered through collaboration on important environmental and Arctic initiatives
February 6, 2014 - Ottawa, Ontario - Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada
The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Environment, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency and Minister for the Arctic Council, was in Washington, D.C., on February 3 and 4, 2014, to promote the Arctic Council’s program during Canada’s chairmanship of the Council and to discuss environmental priorities and achievements, including progress under the United States-Canada Clean Energy Dialogue and the Commission for Environmental Cooperation.
Minister Aglukkaq conducted key bilateral meetings with Ernest Moniz, U.S. Secretary of Energy, Gina McCarthy, Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Kerri-Ann Jones, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State, Alaska senators Lisa Murkowski and Mark Begich, and congressmen Doc Hastings and Don Young.
Minister Aglukkaq held a business round table to discuss common areas of interest between Canada and the United States and promoted Canada’s Arctic Council chairmanship to members of the business community, non-governmental organizations, academia and think tanks at events celebrating Arctic and pan-American cooperation.
During her meetings, Minister Aglukkaq highlighted Canada’s success in polar bear conservation and raised concerns over the United States’ position on listing the polar bear under appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, which would have negative economic and social impacts on Inuit. Minister Aglukkaq indicated that in Canada, polar bears are protected through a collaborative approach that is based on scientific data and Aboriginal traditional knowledge as well as principles of sustainability.
The integration of Aboriginal traditional knowledge into science is an important priority for the Canadian chairmanship of the Arctic Council. Minister Aglukkaq was pleased to engage with the United States on this important issue and looks forward to continued work on this priority under future chairmanships.
“The United States is a key partner for Canada in environmental cooperation and the Arctic. We are working together to advance shared priorities to protect the environment in addition to advancing our shared priorities in the Arctic during our back-to-back chairmanships of the Arctic Council.”
- Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Environment, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency and Minister for the Arctic Council
Jennifer Kennedy
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of the Environment
819-997-1441
Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada
613-995-1874
media@international.gc.ca
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