Minister of Environment and Climate Change participated in G7 Environment Ministers' Meeting in Japan

TOYAMA, Japan, May 18, 2016 /CNW/ - Canada is an active global leader in advancing environmental protection, sustainable development, biodiversity conservation, and climate change.

Canadian Environment and Climate Change Minister Catherine McKenna has returned from a successful G7 Environment Ministers' Meeting in Toyama, Japan. Working with Canada's international partners and discussing environmental issues filled the two-day agenda. During her trip, Minister McKenna met with her American, European Union, German, Italian and Japanese counterparts to further Canada's international relationships and environmental goals.

Minister McKenna spoke about Canada's efforts to ratify and implement the Paris Agreement and shone a light on the disproportionate effect climate change has on women around the world. She also gave a presentation on Canada's successful actions to cut domestic mercury emissions, which have been reduced by 90 percent in the past 25 years. Her presentation highlighted the heavy burden borne by Inuit communities due to the long-range transport of mercury from foreign sources to Canada's Arctic region. Minister McKenna reiterated Canada's support of the Minamata Convention and the need for global action on mercury.

Minister McKenna also participated in a session with mayors, notably Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson, to discuss the role cities play to help leverage local action for wider benefit. Local governments across Canada are taking strong action on climate change and environmental issues by developing climate action plans that integrate climate considerations into formal planning processes.                                                      

Quote

"We can meet our environmental challenges and build a better world. We can make a difference by working together, with our G7 partners and with our partners and stakeholders in Canada. The world needs the new ideas and smart solutions we discussed this weekend. Our people, including our most vulnerable, need us to succeed."
– The Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change

Associated links

www.canada.ca/climateaction

www.un.org/womenwatch/feature/climate_change/

www.international.gc.ca/g7/index.aspx?lang=eng

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)