March 1, 2000 (12:40 p.m. EST) No. 33

AXWORTHY APPOINTS LIAISON ON CANADIAN CONFERENCE OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS' OFFER TO HOST WORLD YOUTH DAY 2002

Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today announced the appointment of Dennis Mills, Member of Parliament for Broadview-Greenwood (Ontario), as government liaison with the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB). The CCCB has offered to host World Youth Day in Toronto in 2002. The final decision on the event's venue will be announced by Pope John Paul II on August 20, at the conclusion of the 15th World Youth Day, being held this year in Rome.

"A graduate of Toronto's St. Michael's College, and Member of the Order of St. Michael's, Mr. Mills will contribute his skills as an effective and well-spoken parliamentarian to help the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops succeed in their proposal to host the 2002 World Youth Day in Toronto," said Mr. Axworthy. "The occasion would bring together youth from Canada and from all regions of the globe to join in prayers for world peace and reconciliation."

Mr. Mills was first elected to the House of Commons in 1988. From 1980 to 1984, he was Senior Policy Advisor to the Cabinet Committee on Communications.

Initiated in 1984 by Pope John Paul II, World Youth Day is celebrated every two years. Approximately two million young people will gather in Rome in August to celebrate the Jubilee of Youth, theme of this year's World Youth Day.

- 30 -

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