September 17, 1998 No. 215

AXWORTHY RELEASES CONSULTATION PAPER ON NORTHERN FOREIGN POLICY

Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today released Canada's Arctic foreign policy consultation paper, Toward a Northern Foreign Policy for Canada.

"The new foreign policy consultation paper charts the way for co-operative efforts with other circumpolar countries to deal with a wide range of northern issues," said Mr. Axworthy, at the first ministerial meeting of the Arctic Council in Iqaluit, Canada. "The paper serves as a platform for further consultation with territorial governments, northern Aboriginal organizations and other interested Canadians, leading to a final foreign policy framework for coming years."

Mr. Axworthy said that recent events within Canada and abroad prompted the new policy consultation paper. These events include the Government's response to the recent Report of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples, Gathering Strength; recent land claims settlements; creation of the new northern territories of Nunavut and the western Arctic; and the establishment of the international Arctic Council, which comprises eight countries and three international organizations representing Indigenous peoples.

The consultation paper deals with seven major themes:

sustainable development;

environmental protection;

social and cultural renewal;

regional good governance and democratic development;

northern sovereignty and security;

bilateral relations with northern neighbours; and

the consultative process.

Mr. Axworthy also welcomed publication of a report by the Canadian Centre for Foreign Policy Development on Canada's circumpolar relations. Cross-Canada public discussions called the National Forum on Canada's Circumpolar Relations were held in May and June 1998. The results contributed to the consultation paper on northern foreign policy for Canada.

The National Forum report is available at: www.cfp-pec.gc.ca

Toward a Northern Foreign Policy for Canada is available on the Web site of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade at: http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/arctic/menu-e.htm and will be the basis for further public consultations.

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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

For information on the National Forum report:

Alison McCuaig

Canadian Centre for Foreign Policy Development

(613) 944-4150

This document is also available on the Department's Internet site: http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca