Reinforcing Canada's Action Plan on Climate Change

Ottawa – February 11, 1998 – The Government of Canada today announced steps to mobilise federal resources and expertise toward a national strategy to meet the climate change commitments it made in Kyoto last December. This strategy, to be developed in consultation with the provinces, business, industrial sectors and other stakeholders, will be essential in ensuring that Canada meets its domestic and international commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

As Chair of the Cabinet Committee for the Economic Union and Minister of Natural Resources, Ralph Goodale will lead in developing and co-ordinating Canada's domestic implementation strategy, including dealing with the industrial sectors that will play a key role in meeting our commitments.

Environment Minister Christine Stewart will lead the development of Canada's international climate change agenda, including Canada's position for the next United Nations meeting on climate change to be held in Buenos Aires, in November 1998. She will continue to hold primary responsibility for the development of overall environmental policy in this area, including climate science, outreach and public education.

Minister Goodale and Minister Stewart will also be working in close partnership with all key ministers in managing Canada's climate change strategy and implementing Canada's commitments.

The government is establishing a federal secretariat to support the efforts of Ministers and to work with the provinces and stakeholders to develop an action plan to implement our Kyoto commitments. The Secretariat will be led by David Oulton, a senior official with extensive experience in economic and environmental policy, federal-provincial relations and stakeholder consultations.

For further information, please contact:
John Embury
Press Secretary
Natural Resources Canada
(613) 996-2007
or
Mark Colpitts
Press Secretary
Environment Canada
(819) 997-1441