Mr. Speaker, over the past two years, representatives from our government have travelled regularly to Europe to alert the European community of the potential impacts on our wild fur industry of a proposed regulation. Last year, our efforts were successful in delaying the implementation of the regulation for one year. Since then, we have carefully monitored activity in the European Parliament and the European Commission, which is responsible for determining how the regulation will be implemented. We have also taken every opportunity to push the Government of Canada into becoming actively involved in resolving our concerns over this regulation.
I can now report that our vigilance has resulted in the following actions by Canada:
1. In March, the Prime Minister of Canada, after his meeting with the President of the United States, advised the Premier of renewed commitment by the US to deal with this issue and to coordinate efforts to achieve shared goals;
2. In May, the Minister of International Trade, after his meetings with his counterparts in the United States and the European Commission, advised the Premier of the important role that our government has been playing and of the potential for a negotiated solution involving Canada, the United States, Russia and the European community to resolve our outstanding concerns. If the European Commission does not accept the joint Canadian/US proposal, the Honourable Roy MacLaren has advised the Premier that Canada will take steps to protect the fur industry by initiating the dispute settlement process of the World Trade Organization;
3. In May, the Canadian Council of Environment Ministers unanimously agreed that a strong message needed to be sent to Europe immediately. Following this, the Minister for Environment Canada indicated she would contact all the European Environment Ministers to advance Canada's position; and,
4. In mid-June, the leaders of the G-7 countries will meet in Halifax and the European fur import regulation will be discussed. The Premier has written to the Prime Minister that it is important to gain the support of the other G-7 countries if we are to resolve our concerns.
The four national aboriginal organizations have also become involved and are sending representatives to Europe over the next four weeks who will make presentations and hold seminars in different countries.
Over the next few weeks, we will learn of the European community's reaction to these actions. Since only a few months are left, it is very important that any action our government takes is carefully planned to have the maximum effect. This is why I decided not to return to Europe at this time. I still believe that our government has a role to play, but that role will depend on the European community's response to the Canadian/US proposal for a negotiated solution.
On June 2nd, I wrote to both the Minister of Environment Canada and the Minister of International Trade advising them of the few months left for action, urging them to meet with their European counterparts and offering assistance from our government. In early July, I will be host to seven members of the European Parliament, who are travelling to Canada to learn about fur and forest management. I will also remain in contact with the federal Ministers to review Canada's plans for action.
Mr. Speaker, it is critical for us to continue to work together with each other, the federal government and other governments. This has been the key to our past success. For this, I would like to thank the ordinary Members for their interest, support and involvement; in particular, Mr. Antoine, Mr. Ballantyne, Mr. Lewis, and Mr. Whitford, who have taken the time to participate in meetings with the Europeans.
I would like to assure everyone that we will do everything in our power to ensure that the wild fur trade continues and flourishes. We have some very hard work ahead of us yet and, as events unfold, I will keep the Legislative Assembly informed. Mutna, qujannamiik, mahsi.