Mr. Speaker, last week, I represented this government at the third Arctic Ministers' Conference on the protection of the Arctic environment in Inuvik. Mr. Speaker, I spoke on the importance of responsible trade in renewable resource products; in particular, fur and on the concerns of northerners about the increasing levels of contaminants in country food and in the Arctic environment. I was pleased to hear very strong messages of support on fur and on contaminants from federal Ministers, Honourable Sergio Marchi and Honourable Ron Irwin.
Mr. Speaker, our message was heard very clearly by the Environment Ministers from Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Russia and the United States. Each of these Ministers will take home Canada's views for review within their respective governments.
The Arctic environmental protection strategy began in 1989 and the first ministerial conference took place in Rovaniemi, Finland, in 1991. The whole initiative started as a result of growing national and international appreciation of the importance of Arctic ecosystems and an increasing knowledge of global pollution and resulting threats to the environment and to the people who depend on country foods in the Arctic and Sub-Arctic. The second conference of the Ministers took place in Nuuk, Greenland, in 1993. The Ministers signed a declaration on environment and development in the Arctic. Canada was represented at this third conference by the Honourable Ron Irwin, Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs; the Honourable Sergio Marchi, Minister of the Environment; and, Members of Parliament, Ethel Blondin, Audrey McLaughlin and John Finlay. For the first time, the Government of the Northwest Territories was recognized as a full partner in the Canadian delegation and given opportunity to speak at this conference. As well, I had the honour of hosting a lunch serving northern foods for 60 Ministers, ambassadors and senior officials from participating countries. As host, I used this occasion to speak about the importance of a healthy environment and how important our renewable resources economy is to our people.
Mr. Speaker, the Arctic Environment Ministers signed the Inuvik declaration on environmental protection and sustainable development that includes the full commitment of all eight Arctic countries to establish an Arctic council as early as the summer of 1996. The Canadian delegation to future meetings of the Arctic council will include representatives of governments and indigenous people from Nunavut and from the Western Arctic. The Arctic council will be a forum for international cooperation in environmental, economic, cultural and social concerns of northern people.
Mr. Speaker, this government will continue to do everything it can on both trade and contaminant issues and will continue to urge the Government of Canada to do the same. Thank you.