January 30, 1998 No. 23

PRODUCTIVE MEETING HELD BETWEEN

THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT AND ITS PARTNERS

IN THE DEFENCE OF THE CHRYSOTILE FIBRE INDUSTRY

International Trade Minister Sergio Marchi and Natural Resources Minister Ralph Goodale today expressed their satisfaction with the results of a meeting held by the Canadian government and its main partners in the defence of chrysotile fibre and its use internationally.

A meeting was held in Montreal on January 28 under Canadian government auspices to work out a concerted strategic approach. The participants agreed to pursue a series of initiatives set in motion last fall subsequent to one of the regular meetings held by the partners.

The Montreal meeting ended with an agreement to welcome a French government envoy mandated to review the measures taken by France, in order to determine whether they are still warranted in light of current scientific research.

"We will explore all possible ways of expressing Canada's position on this issue and protecting our access to world export markets. We would not rule out recourse to the World Trade Organization, if necessary," said Mr. Marchi. "Our priority has always been, and continues to be, protecting the Canadian chrysotile fibre industry and the thousands of direct and indirect jobs generated by it."

Numerous efforts have been made at the technical, scientific and diplomatic levels to convince our trading partners that the safe use of chrysotile fibre is the key to managing the risks associated with it.

"Our actions on behalf of the chrysotile fibre industry have been guided by discussions and consultations with our partners. We look forward to continued co-operation with them on this issue," said Mr. Goodale.

The rapid development of the issue demands a constant review of the common strategy developed by the Canadian government and its partners.

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For further information, media representatives may contact:

Leslie Swartman

Office of the Minister for International Trade

(613) 992-7332

John Embury

Press Secretary

Office of the Minister of Natural Resources

(613) 996-2007

Media Relations Office

Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

(613) 995-1874

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