News Release

Government of Canada Supports Negotiating Process for International Treaty to Manage Mercury

OTTAWA, Ont. -- January 25, 2011 -- The Government of Canada today reiterates its commitment to the ongoing negotiations under the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to establish an international treaty to protect the global environment and human health from the release of mercury and its compounds. A delegation representing the Government of Canada is currently participating with approximately 190 other countries in the second meeting of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee occurring in Japan from January 24-28, 2011. 

“The Government of Canada has made great strides in reducing domestic mercury emissions over the past three decades,” said the Honourable Peter Kent, Canada’s Environment Minister. “However, international mercury emissions still impact our environment by accumulating particularly in the Arctic. We need a treaty to manage mercury in order to protect the environment for current and future generations of Canadians.” 

“Mercury is a potent neurotoxin, which can cause damage to the brain, central nervous system, kidneys and lungs,” said the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Canada’s Minister of Health. “While the Government of Canada has a number of recommendations and guidelines in place to reduce Canadians exposure to this substance, an international treaty to manage mercury would play a significant role in protecting the health of Canadians, particularly those in the North, from the risks posed by this substance.”

Canada has succeeded in achieving a reduction of over 90% in domestic mercury emissions from human activity since the 1970s. However since mercury can be transported over long distances in air, over 95% of mercury from human activity now deposited in Canada comes from foreign sources. Due to this fact, the Government of Canada is actively participating in international efforts to further reduce mercury emissions through initiatives such as the UNEP Global Mercury Partnership and the ongoing negotiations toward developing a global instrument on mercury under UNEP. In October 2010, the Government of Canada released an integrated Risk Management Strategy for Mercury to provide an overview of Canadian actions to manage risks associated with mercury.

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