NEWS RELEASES
CANADA RELEASES INITIAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF WTO NEGOTIATIONS
November 22, 2002 (9:50 a.m. EST) No. 154
CANADA RELEASES INITIAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
OF WTO NEGOTIATIONS
International Trade Minister Pierre Pettigrew and Environment Minister David Anderson today released the
Initial Environmental Assessment of the World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations launched in Doha,
Qatar, in November 2001.
"The new round of WTO negotiations provides economic and commercial opportunities for all members, while
supporting sustainable development," said Minister Pettigrew. "This assessment will help negotiators better
integrate environmental considerations into the process."
The Initial Assessment covers the seven areas of negotiation that were mandated in Doha: agriculture, non-agricultural market access, services, rules, trade and environment, wines and spirits registry, and dispute
settlement. The analysis examines the overall economic relevance of each area on Canada, identifies likely
environmental impacts, and then assesses the significance of the impact.
In addition, the Initial Assessment briefly identifies measures that could mitigate negative or enhance positive
environmental impacts of the negotiations. It also identifies issues that will need to be examined in more detail
at the next stage of the environmental assessment process.
"This process ensures that Canada considers its environmental and economic interests at the earliest stages of
decision making," said Minister Anderson. "We are following through on our commitment to implement the 2001
Framework for Conducting Environmental Assessments of Trade Negotiations. This assessment will help policy
makers and the Canadian public better understand the relationship between the environment and trade
liberalization and will also contribute to a better future for generations to come."
The Government of Canada is working closely with the provinces and territories throughout the entire
assessment process. It has consulted non-governmental organizations, business groups and the general
public, and will continue to seek input from Canadians. In its commitment to an open and transparent process,
the Government has opened the Initial Environmental Assessment to a 60-day public comment period.
Comments received will be used to help prepare the next phase.
The Final Environmental Assessment report will be released after the conclusion of the Doha Round of WTO
negotiations, in 2005.
The Initial Environmental Assessment is available at:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/tna-nac/Consult1-e.asp#wto
The Government of Canada welcomes comments on the Environmental Assessment. Please send submissions
via e-mail to consultations@dfait-maeci.gc.ca or by post to Trade Policy Consultations and Liaison Division
(EBC), Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, 125 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0G2.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Sébastien Théberge
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister for International Trade
(613) 992-7332
Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
Kelly Morgan
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of the Environment
(819) 997-1441
Gordon Harris
Senior Communications Advisor
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
(819) 953-5045
Suzanne Meunier
A/Chief, Media Relations
Environment Canada
(819) 953-4016
This document is also available on the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade's Internet site:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca
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