NEWS RELEASES

September 8, 2000 (2:15 p.m. EDT) No. 217

CANADA ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL PROTOCOL

TO NUCLEAR SAFEGUARDS AGREEMENT

Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy and Natural Resources Minister Ralph Goodale today announced the entry into force on September 8, 2000, of the Additional Protocol to Canada's existing Safeguards Agreement for the protection of nuclear material with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

"Canada strongly supports strengthening the IAEA's safeguards system," said Mr. Axworthy. "The entry into force of Canada's Additional Protocol with the IAEA will be one of the first by a country with a significant nuclear program. It will enhance Canada's credibility in its efforts to encourage other states to conclude a similar protocol and reinforce multilateral nuclear non-proliferation efforts."

Canada played a leading role in the 1997 multilateral negotiations that resulted in agreement on a set of additional measures to be undertaken by the IAEA. The entry into force of the Additional Protocol clearly demonstrates that Canada is meeting its multilateral obligations for the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

"The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) will be responsible for implementing the measures Canada has agreed to under the Protocol," said Minister Goodale. "The CNSC has consulted extensively with industry over the past few years, and industry recognizes the need for these strengthened safeguards. The CNSC and industry have worked together to prepare for the implementation of the Protocol, and it is now time to move forward and put the agreement into force."

Discoveries regarding the extent of Iraq's nuclear weapons program following the Gulf War, along with concerns about North Korea's nuclear program, led the IAEA's member states to conclude that the multilateral nuclear safeguards regime had to be improved. Conclusion of the Additional Protocol will provide the IAEA with an enhanced ability to detect undeclared nuclear materials and activities in states.

Canada signed the Additional Protocol with the IAEA on September 24, 1998; however, entry into force of the Nuclear Safety and Control Act (NSCA) with its accompanying regulations was required before implementation could occur. The NSCA was promulgated on May 31, 2000, enabling Canada to proceed with the entry into force of the Additional Protocol.

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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

Pat Breton

Press Secretary

Natural Resources Canada

(613) 996-2007

Sunni Locatelli

Media Relations

Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission

(613) 996-6860

media@cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca

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

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