| Montreal, 11/02/2000 – The Joint Public Advisory Committee (JPAC) of the North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation (NACEC), held its third session of 2000 in Washington DC, on 13-14 October. The session was held immediately following the North American Symposium on Understanding the Linkages between Trade and Environment, also held in Washington and organized under the auspices of NACEC.
The JPAC session focused on the results of the Symposium, reviewing the proposed NACEC Program Plan and Budget for 2001-2003, and implementing Council Resolution 00-09 concerning the implementation and further elaboration of Articles 14 and 15 of the North American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation (NAAEC).
The North American Symposium on Understanding the Linkages between Trade and Environment
JPAC considered the symposium to be a great success. The intellectual quality of the presentations, the lively debate and the level of interest shown by the attending public, all served to demonstrate the value of such gatherings. JPAC will carefully review the results of the symposium and provide Advice to Council about possible follow-up plans. JPAC members unanimously agreed that the momentum created by this symposium, and the information it generated, warrants a next step. The relationship between trade and environment is now a subject of public debate and JPAC looks forward to contributing its perspective on priorities for future inquiry.
The proposed NACEC Program Plan and Budget for 2001-2003
The four JPAC working groups on the program areas will conduct further analysis based on the views received and discussions during this session. It is worth mentioning, however, that various issues preoccupied JPAC members. These included:
- genetically modified organisms and where this topic can best fit into the program,
- phasing out projects that are not continental in scope, and
- where in the program Council can best exercise its role, mandated by NAAEC Article 10(6), of monitoring the environmental effects of NAFTA.
Matters related to Articles 14 and 15 of NAAEC
JPAC has received very few written comments from the public on experiences with the Article 14/15 process and suggestions for its improvement. The members concluded that it would be premature to agree on and launch a review process based on the comments received to date. They also concluded that the review process should be informed by the lessons learned report. The executive summary of public comments received on the draft JPAC public review can be found on the NACEC web site.
It was agreed that the issues already raised in a letter to JPAC dated 27 August 2000 from The Friends of the Oldman River would be transmitted to Council. A copy of the letter of transmittal can also be found on the NACEC web site.
The Council memorandum to JPAC referred to in paragraph 5(b) of Council Resolution 00-09, mandating JPAC to consult on the history of each completed submission with the Parties, the submitter and the Secretariat, was transmitted to JPAC on 13 October 2000.
In view of all these considerations, it was agreed to issue a second call for public comments on submissions history that will help us improve the Articles 14 and 15 process. The deadline to provide written comments on this issue is extended to 31 January 2001. Between January and March 2001, a report will be drafted and released for public comment in preparation for the second workshop, to be held in conjunction with the Council session in June 2001 in Mexico. Comments may be sent to Manon Pepin, JPAC Liaison Officer, by e-mail at <mpepin@ccemtl.org>, or by fax or mail to either Montreal or Mexico City at the addresses below. Please include your name, firm or organization, address, telephone and fax numbers as well as e-mail address.
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Joint Public Advisory Committee
Commission for Environmental Cooperation
393 St. Jacques West
Suite 200
Montreal, Quebec H2Y 1N9
Fax: (514) 350-4314 |
Comité Consultivo Público Conjunto
Comisión para la Cooperación Ambiental
Progreso No. 3
Viveros de Coyoacán
México, D.F. 04110
Fax: (525) 659-5023 |
Public Workshop on Submissions History-Lessons Learned on December 7 in Montreal
The public is invited to attend the first public workshop on Submissions History-Lessons Learned, which will take place on 7 December 2000 in Montréal, Québec.
Joint Public Meeting of NACEC's Intergovernmental Advisory Group on Critical and Emerging Trends in North America and the JPAC on 8 December 2000
To help identify future environmental quality issues and policy priorities, NACEC unveiled an online questionnaire in September 2000. Over 500 persons completed the questionnaire. The results from the questionnaire will be summarized in a report and discussed during this public meeting.
Registration Form
The agendas and registration form for the JPAC Public Workshop on Submissions History-Lessons Learned on 7 December and the joint public meeting on 8 December between JPAC and NACEC's Intergovernmental Advisory Group on Critical and Emerging Trends in North America may be found on the NACEC web site. Registration is free and is on a first-come, first-served basis. To confirm your attendance to these meetings, please return the registration form to Jocelyne Morin by e-mail at <jmorin@ccemtl.org> or by fax at (514) 350-4314.
NACEC was established by Canada, Mexico and the United States to build cooperation among the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) partners in implementing the NAAEC, the environmental side accord to NAFTA. The NACEC addresses environmental issues of continental concern, with particular attention to the environmental challenges and opportunities presented by continent-wide free trade.
JPAC is a 15-member, independent, volunteer body that provides advice and public input to Council on any matter within the scope of NAAEC.
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