News Release

Canada's Environment Minister Celebrates 20 Years of Progress Protecting the Ozone Layer

MONTREAL, September 16, 2007 - Canada's Environment Minister, John Baird, today marked International Ozone Day at the Biosphere in Montreal by recognizing the important work of Canadian scientists in protecting the ozone layer.  Minister Baird's visit comes on the eve of a United Nations conference celebrating the 20^th anniversary of the Montreal Protocol, the global agreement phasing out chemicals that thin the ozone layer.

"Canada and the world have made great progress in twenty years to reduce ozone depleting substances," said Minister Baird. "It is appropriate that we mark International Ozone Day here as countries gather to celebrate our collective achievement."

Minister Baird was joined by the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Achim Steiner, on a tour of Canadian stratospheric ozone science exhibits and to release of an ozone sonde, an ozone measuring device attached to a large balloon.

Canada is recognized as a leader for its contribution towards the development and continued effectiveness of the Protocol, which the U.N. calls the "single most successful international agreement to date".  Parties to the Protocol have phased out 95% of ozone-depleting substances. It is estimated that approximately 20.6 million cases of skin cancer will have been averted worldwide by 2060.

In addition, developing research suggests that international measures taken to phase out ozone-depleting substances are also having a positive impact on tackling climate change as well as reducing the threat from the thinning of the ozone layer. 

"We have come far, but there is still much to do," said Minister Baird. "At this conference, Canada will be challenging the world to move faster to phase-out chemicals that both deplete the ozone layer and cause climate change."

Between September 17 and the 21^st, the Protocol signatories will be meeting in Montreal to chart the future of the Protocol and to ensure that the world remains on track to phasing-out the remaining uses of ozone depleting substances.

For further information, please contact:

Eric Richer, Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment
(613) 286-6064 (cell phone in Montreal)

Environment Canada Media Relations
(819) 934-8008
1-888-908-8008