NEWS RELEASES

February 5, 2001 (11:00 a.m. EST) No. 15

PETTIGREW ANNOUNCES FRAMEWORK FOR

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF TRADE NEGOTIATIONS

International Trade Minister Pierre Pettigrew and Environment Minister David Anderson today announced Canada's Framework for Conducting Environmental Assessments of Trade Negotiations. The Framework will assist Canada's trade negotiators in identifying and evaluating the environmental impacts and benefits of Canada's trade initiatives.

"Assessing the environmental implications of our trade negotiations delivers on an important commitment we've made to Canadians," said Minister Pettigrew. "Taking environmental considerations into account in this manner strengthens Canada's trade policy."

Prepared in collaboration with Environment Canada, the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency and other federal departments, the Framework was finalized after public consultations earlier this fall. The Framework will consider environmental impacts from the earliest stages of trade negotiations.

"The Framework will ensure that Canada takes an integrated approach to trade and environmental issues," Minister Anderson said. "Canadians can be assured that we are taking appropriate action to promote balanced and sustainable development."

The Framework provides opportunities for the public, environmental non-government organizations and business groups to provide input to the environmental assessment of trade negotiations.

Copies of the Framework can be obtained from the Environmental Services Division of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, tel. (613) 944-0956, e-mail aes@dfait-maeci.gc.ca or on the Web at: http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/tna-nac/social-e.asp#environment.

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A backgrounder is attached.

For further information, media representatives may contact:

Sylvie Bussières

Office of the Minister for International Trade

(613) 992-7332

Media Relations Office

Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

(613) 995-1874

Johanne Beaulieu

Office of the Minister of the Environment

(819) 997-1441

This document is also available on the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade's Internet site:

http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca

Backgrounder

CANADA'S ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FRAMEWORK

FOR TRADE NEGOTIATIONS

The Government of Canada, with the help of the public, the provinces and territories, Aboriginal groups, and representatives from academic, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector has developed Canada's Framework for Conducting Environmental Assessments of Trade Negotiations. In the lead-up to the Seattle Ministerial, Canada undertook a commitment to assess the domestic environmental implications of a new round of trade negotiations at the World Trade Organization (WTO). This framework has since been broadened to include bilateral, regional or multilateral trade negotiations as well.

Overview

A strategic environmental assessment (SEA) is a process for evaluating the environmental consequences of policies, plans or program proposals. The environmental assessment framework provides guidance to federal departments on environmental considerations from the earliest stages of trade negotiations.

The environmental assessment process provides the opportunity for broad-based public participation, conducted in a documented and transparent manner.

Environmental assessments of trade negotiations contribute to more open decision-making by engaging other levels of government, the public, the private sector and non-governmental organizations in the process.

The Framework is designed for national assessments and will focus on the environmental impacts of trade negotiations on Canada. Trans-boundary, regional and global environmental impacts will be considered if they have a direct impact on the Canadian environment.

Canada is not alone in promoting the environmental assessment of new bilateral and multilateral trade negotiations. The United States, the European Union and a number of international non-government bodies are undertaking similar assessments.