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AXWORTHY ANNOUNCES DELEGATION TO THE UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ONHUMAN SETTLEMENTS (HABITAT II)

May 31, 1996 No. 101

AXWORTHY ANNOUNCES DELEGATION TO THE

UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON

HUMAN SETTLEMENTS (HABITAT II)

Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today announced that the Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister Responsible for the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, the Honourable Diane Marleau, will lead Canada's official delegation to the United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II).

Representatives from some 180 countries will gather in Istanbul, Turkey, June 3 to 14, to adopt a global plan of action aimed at guiding national and international efforts to secure adequate shelter for all people within sustainable cities and communities. Minister Marleau will deliver Canada's statement to the Habitat Conference on June 13. A parallel forum of representatives from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) will be held May 30 to June 11.

"While we continue to address many housing-related issues in our own country, Canadians have the advantage of being among the best-housed people in the world, and our communities are among the best managed. We are going to Habitat to learn, to share experiences, and to work with the international community," said Minister Marleau.

"Since Habitat I was held in Vancouver 20 years ago, the partnership between government and the community at large -- including NGOs -- has grown as we have addressed the challenges facing us," said Mr. Axworthy. "Canada's delegation, which represents the diversity of sectors actively involved in Habitat-related issues, will work to ensure that the progress achieved at other UN conferences and summits on Habitat-related issues are reinforced and advanced in Istanbul."

Members of the Canadian delegation to Habitat II include parliamentarians, provincial government and municipal representatives, members of housing, youth, disability and aboriginal organizations, as well as of professional institutes.

Preparations for Habitat II have included conferences, other forums of information exchange and consultations with approximately 350 Canadian organizations. Comments were received from a wide range of groups and interested individuals, including provinces and territories, housing, environmental, aboriginal, women's, youth and other NGOs and community-based organizations.

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For further information, media representatives may contact:

Catherine Lappe

Director of Communications

Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs

(613) 995-1851

Media Relations Office

Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

(613) 995-1874

Mathew Bassett

Special Assistant

Office of the Minister responsible for the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation