Speech

Welcome everyone,

Thank you all for your warm welcome. I am very pleased to host this event in the beautiful city of Montreal.

I wish a warm welcome to the Joint Public Advisory Committee members, the Secretariat, Minister Arcand and members of the public.

Canada is honoured to host this year’s meeting of the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC). I’m delighted to be here today with my counterparts from Mexico and the United States - Secretary Elvira, Administrator Jackson.

It’s hard to imagine a more fitting place to gather than here… at our Biosphere. I would be remiss if I didn't tell you all that Canada took over this lease. This site was in fact the United States pavilion at The 1967 World Fair, Expo 67. I can assure my American colleague that it’s in good hands - we spruced it up a bit.

As Chair of the CEC since the Commission met in Mexico last summer, it has been our goal to work with our United States and Mexican colleagues to enhance the impact of the Commission’s work in improving our shared North American environment. We've worked to address climate change, green the economy and support healthy communities and ecosystems.

Whether it will be sustainable management practices across the Grasslands, engaging automotive companies to implement green supply-chain programs or building critical capacity to better deal with environmental threats, our frank and dynamic discussion will ensure we move forward together.

We are privileged to have such strong and committed continental partners and I look forward to continue building on our foundation of respect and common purpose. 

With this said, I am pleased to now declare the 18^th regular session of the CEC Council officially open!

Have a good evening and I look forward to seeing you all again tomorrow.

Thank you.