NEWS RELEASES
AXWORTHY WELCOMES PASSAGE OF ANTI-LANDMINE LEGISLATION
November 28, 1997 No. 199
AXWORTHY WELCOMES PASSAGE OF
ANTI-LANDMINE LEGISLATION
Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today welcomed the passage in Parliament
of the Anti-Personnel Mines Convention Implementation Act.
"I am delighted by the swift passage of this bill," said Mr. Axworthy. "All
members of both houses are to be congratulated for their co-operation and active
participation in this effort. Canada will now be able to reinforce its global
leadership on this issue by signing the international convention banning landmines
next Wednesday and, at the same time, be the first country to ratify it. We will
be encouraging other signatories to ratify quickly as well, so that the convention
can enter into force as soon as possible."
The legislation received Royal Assent in Parliament late in the day on November
27. It passed easily after having been introduced for first reading on November
20. The legislation ensures that Canada has in place the domestic measures
necessary to ratify and fully implement its obligations under the Convention on
the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel
Mines and on their Destruction.
The convention, which opens for signature at an international Signing Conference
and Mines Action Forum in Ottawa, December 2 to 4, will enter into force six
months after it has been ratified by 40 countries.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Debora Brown
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
(613) 995-1851
Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
This document is also available on the Department's Internet site:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca
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