Minister Prentice Participates in Key Continental and International Meetings

OTTAWA, ONTARIO, Jun 24 (MARKET WIRE) --
Canada's Environment Minister, Jim Prentice, issued the following
statement following his participation in the third session of the Major
Economies Forum on Climate and Energy (MEF) and the Commission for
Environmental Cooperation (CEC) annual council meeting.

"Canada is actively and constructively engaged in the international
process to develop an effective global agreement on climate change at the
UN conference in Copenhagen this December. Our contribution to this
process has a solid foundation in the action we have and continue to take
at the domestic, continental and international levels."

"Domestically, we remain focused on our goal of reducing Canada's
greenhouse gas emissions by 20% from 2006 levels by 2020. We will be
announcing our complete set of greenhouse gas emissions policies prior to
the Copenhagen meetings this fall. We have recently announced action on
vehicle tailpipe emissions and Canada's Offset System, both important
elements in our domestic plan for climate change."

"These domestic milestones will be complemented by our efforts with
continental and international partners."

"The MEF is an important part of our international action on climate
change. It is an excellent opportunity for Canada to come together with
other major economies and work towards achieving an ambitious and
comprehensive agreement in Copenhagen this December. It also provides an
important venue for broader international collaboration on the
development, demonstration and deployment of transformational clean
energy technologies."

"Continentally, the CEC meetings in Denver allowed us to engage Mexico
and the U.S. in discussions on our shared environmental policies and
agreed to steps to refocus the role of the CEC as an important and
relevant institution to our three countries. Canada is pleased that the
Parties agreed to renew, revitalize and refocus the CEC to ensure it is
engaged on key North American environmental issues, such as climate
change/low carbon economy, and that it continues to serve as a model of
transparency and effectiveness. Revitalizing the CEC will help better
serve our constituents, bring people together and promote greater
environmental action in North America."

"Following the G8 Summit meeting in July, the Major Economies Forum
Leaders will meet to discuss the progress made so far, and recommend
further action."

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Contacts:
Office of the Minister of the Environment
Frederic Baril
Press Secretary
819-997-1441

Environment Canada
Media Relations
819-934-8008
1-888-908-8008
www.ec.gc.ca

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