NEWS RELEASES

May 26, 2000 (2:10 p.m. EDT) No. 120

MONTREAL CHOSEN AS SITE FOR UNESCO INSTITUTE OF STATISTICS

Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy and Minister of National Revenue and Secretary of State (Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec) Martin Cauchon today welcomed the announcement made in Paris that Montreal has been chosen by the Executive Board of UNESCO as the site for the Organization's new Institute of Statistics. Montreal had been vying with Birmingham, England, The Hague, Netherlands, and Paris, France.

"Canada is certain that the dynamic character of Montreal and its many research centres, complete with state-of-the-art facilities, will prove to be a crucial factor in the development and growth of UNESCO's new institute," said Mr. Axworthy. "We believe that this facility will be called on to play an important role, not only in Canada and North America but around the world as well."

Montreal's winning bid is the product of close co-operation among the three levels of government and with the university communities, along with Statistics Canada and the Institut de statistique du Québec. The project received the support of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Canada Economic Development, Quebec's Ministry of International Relations and the City of Montreal. Montréal International handled the bid preparations for the future home of the Institute, to be housed, once the appropriate contracts are in place, within the Université de Montréal.

"The Government of Canada has played a part, and will continue to do so, in positioning the Greater Montreal area as a destination of choice for international organizations," said Mr. Cauchon. "Our support, both financial and logistical, has helped encourage several other international organizations to establish their headquarters in Greater Montreal."

The mandate of UNESCO's Institute of Statistics is to strengthen the capacity of member states to compile and analyse statistical data in the fields of education, science, culture and communications, and to design training and development programs. Montreal offers a stimulating intellectual and cultural environment. The City of Montreal is already home to the International Civil Aviation Organization of the United Nations and numerous other international organizations and agencies. The arrival on the scene of UNESCO's Institute of Statistics will enhance Montreal's prestige and the image it projects to the world.

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For further information, media representatives are asked to contact:

Debora Brown

Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs

(613) 995-1851

Media Relations Division

Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

(613) 995-1874

Suzanne Théberge

Office of the Minister of National Revenue and Secretary of State (Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec)

(514) 496-1282

This document is also available on the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade's Internet site: http://www.dfait-maeci-gc.ca.