WASHINGTON, D.C., March 16, 2017 /CNW/ - Canada's Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Catherine McKenna, today concluded a successful visit to Washington, D.C., building on Canada's longstanding collaboration with the United States on environmental issues. Minister McKenna highlighted the importance of Canada-U.S. trade and the jobs that trade relationship supports on both sides of the shared border. She also reinforced Canada's commitment to the protection of the Great Lakes for the health and economic benefit of communities in both countries.
Minister McKenna met with Canadian and U.S. representatives of cities along the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River and delivered the keynote address at a celebration for Great Lakes Day. There she highlighted Canada's commitment to protecting our shared freshwater resources and ongoing implementation of the Canada-U.S. Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, and emphasized the importance of continued investment from both Canada and the US.
Minister McKenna met with U.S. congressional members and further reinforced Canada's commitment to collaborating across all levels of governmental and borders in the interest of a healthy Great Lakes environment and strong economies.
Minister McKenna also spoke at an event for the Centre for Strategic and International Studies focusing on Canada's support for climate action, clean technologies and innovative practices that are driving new economic growth opportunities and job creation.
On Thursday, Minister McKenna met with Scott Pruitt, Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. She conveyed Canada's commitment to build on environmental cooperation with the U.S., particularly along our shared border, to protect the Great Lakes and enhance the quality of our air and water. The Minister also highlighted Canada's domestic and international commitment to innovation and clean economic growth.
Quote
"Canada and the United States are connected in many ways, from trade and investment, to our integrated energy system and shared environment. We've had tremendous success over the past decades working together for clean air and clean water on both sides of our border. I look forward to continuing that successful collaboration on important issues from the Great Lakes, to clean air, to energy innovation that will protect the health of our communities and support good middle-class jobs."
– Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change
Quick facts
- Canada and the U.S. have a long history of environmental cooperation based on key institutions such as the International Joint Commission and key treaties and agreements such as the Canada-U.S. Air Quality Agreement and the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement.
- The Canada-United States Air Quality Agreement was signed by Canada and the United States in 1991 to address transboundary air pollution leading to acid rain.
- The Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement was first signed in 1972 and most recently updated in 2012 to protect and restore one of the world's largest repositories of freshwater and most diverse ecosystems on Earth.
Associated links
The Canada-United States Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement
The Canada-United States Air Quality Agreement
Environment and Climate Change Canada's Twitter page
Environment and Natural Resources in Canada's Facebook page
SOURCE Environment and Climate Change Canada
Caitlin Workman, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, 819-938-9436; Media Relations, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 819-938-3338 or 1-844-836-7799 (toll free)
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