NEWS RELEASES
AXWORTHY WELCOMES PARLIAMENTARIANS'ARCTIC REPORT
April 22, 1997 No. 75
AXWORTHY WELCOMES PARLIAMENTARIANS'
ARCTIC REPORT
Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today welcomed the release of the report
Canada and the Circumpolar World, tabled by the House of Commons Standing
Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade. The report lists 48
recommendations for the conduct of Canada's international Arctic relations.
"I welcome the Committee's strong endorsement of the Arctic Council and Canada's
role therein. Under the excellent leadership of the Ambassador for Circumpolar
Affairs, Mary Simon, Canada looks forward to hosting a successful ministerial
conference in 1998," said Mr. Axworthy. "The range of ideas and initiatives
suggested by the Committee are indicative of their serious, thoughtful efforts,
which have benefited from wide consultations, including with those living in the
North."
Canada played a key role in the creation of the Arctic Council, which was
inaugurated in Ottawa in September 1996. Canada is the first chair of the Arctic
Council, hosting the Council Secretariat until 1998.
The Arctic Council brings together eight circumpolar countries: Canada,
Denmark/Greenland, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden and the United States.
The Council addresses environmental and sustainable development issues of the
Arctic ecosystem, including the economic, social and cultural well-being of
northern peoples. The Council is unique among international bodies for involving,
on a permanent, integral basis, a representation of northern indigenous peoples as
Permanent Participants.
"Canada insists on a strong role for northerners in its participation in the
Arctic Council," said Minister for Indian Affairs and Northern Development Ron
Irwin. "I am heartened by the Committee's commitment to listen to the views of
northern communities."
The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade will have 150 days to
co-ordinate a response to the recommendations in the report, after careful
consideration and in close consultation with the Minister of Indian Affairs and
Northern Development, the Minister of the Environment and others.
Copies of the report are available from the Clerk of the Committee at (613) 996-1533.
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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
This document is also available on the Department's Internet site:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca
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