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<title>CANADA RELEASES INITIAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF FTAA NEGOTIATIONS</title>
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<p><font size="+1"></font><font size="+1"><strong>May 5, 2003 <em>(4:35 p.m. EDT)</em> No. 49</strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font size="+1"><strong>CANADA RELEASES INITIAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT </strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font size="+1"><strong>OF FTAA NEGOTIATIONS</strong></font></p>
<p>International Trade Minister Pierre Pettigrew and Environment Minister David Anderson today released the Initial
Environmental Assessment of the future Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA).</p>
<p>The Initial Environmental Assessment of FTAA negotiations is the first of three reports to be released. The preliminary
report suggests that, in the aggregate, the environmental impacts on Canada are likely to be minimal. Any potential
environmental impacts will be further analyzed in the second and third reports.</p>
<p>"By integrating environmental protection into trade liberalization, we will help ensure that Canada's high environmental
standards are not compromised and promote these values amongst our trading partners," said Minister Pettigrew. "This
assessment will build environmental considerations into Canada's negotiating position in the creation of the world's largest
free trade zone."</p>
<p>The Initial Environmental Assessment covers the nine negotiating groups set out in the FTAA negotiations: market access;
agriculture; services; government procurement; investment; competition policy; dispute settlement; intellectual property
rights; and subsidies, anti-dumping and countervailing duties. In each area it identifies possible economic and
environmental impacts on Canada. </p>
<p>"As trade expands, so does the need to be mindful of the environment," said Minister Anderson. "As we build strong,
sustainable communities, we are also called upon to ensure that we preserve the capacity of the environment for future
generations."</p>
<p>The Government of Canada announced its intent to conduct the environmental assessment on March 16, 2002, and is
consulting the provinces and territories, business groups, non-governmental organizations and the general public.</p>
<p>The Government of Canada welcomes comments on this report, as well as comments on anticipated economic,
environmental and policy-making impacts on Canada as a result of the FTAA negotiations. Feedback received will be used
to help prepare for the next phase. The Government of Canada will continue to seek input from Canadians throughout the
entire assessment process. The Final Environmental Assessment will be available after the conclusion of the FTAA
negotiations, in January 2005. The deadline for submissions is July 31, 2003. The report is available at: <a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070221093140/http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/tna-nac/consult1-en.asp#ea2">www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/tna-nac/consult1-en.asp#ea2</a></p>
<p>Please send feedback to:</p>
<p>Trade Policy Consultations and Liaison Division (EBC)</p>
<p>Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade</p>
<p>125 Sussex Drive</p>
<p>Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0G2</p>
<p>Fax: (613) 944-7981</p>
<p><a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070221093140/mailto:consultations@dfait-maeci.gc.ca">consultations@dfait-maeci.gc.ca</a></p>
<p>- 30 -</p>
<p>For further information, media representatives may contact:</p>
<p>Sébastien Théberge</p>
<p>Director of Communications</p>
<p>Office of the Minister for International Trade</p>
<p>(613) 992-7332</p>
<p>Media Relations Office</p>
<p>Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade</p>
<p>(613) 995-1874</p>
<p>Kelly Morgan</p>
<p>Director of Communications</p>
<p>Office of the Minister of the Environment</p>
<p>(819) 997-1441</p>
<p>Paul Giroux</p>
<p>Environment Canada</p>
<p>(613) 953-6996</p>
<p>Gordon Harris</p>
<p>Senior Communications Advisor</p>
<p>Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency</p>
<p>(819) 953-5045</p>
<p>This document is also available on the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade's Internet site:
<a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070221093140/http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/">http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</a></p>
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