ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT CO-OPERATION AGREEMENT SIGNED

Released on November 30, 1999

The Canada-Saskatchewan Agreement on Environmental Assessment Co-operation, was

signed today by Canada's Minister of the Environment, David Anderson, and

Saskatchewan's Minister of Environment and Resource Management, Buckley

Belanger. This is the first bilateral agreement on environmental assessment

signed between Canada and Saskatchewan.



Under the bilateral agreement, projects that require a review under both

federal and provincial environmental assessment legislation will undergo a

single, co-operative assessment, meeting the legal requirements of both

governments while maintaining their respective existing roles and

responsibilities.



"This bilateral agreement sets out a co-operative approach for our two

governments to seamlessly integrate our environmental assessment requirements

in an efficient and effective manner," Minister Anderson said. "It is a win-

win situation for the environment and for Canadians."



"This agreement will ensure the federal and provincial environmental assessment

processes are co-ordinated, while maintaining the highest level of

environmental protection," Minister Belanger said.



Prior to finalizing the bilateral agreement, consultations, conducted from July

to September 1999, allowed the public to review a draft of the agreement.



This bilateral agreement translates the principles of the 1998 Canada-Wide

Accord on Environmental Harmonization and the Sub-Agreement on Environmental

Assessment into a specific operating plan. The agreement provides for periodic

review of it's implementation and effectiveness, and a thorough evaluation

within five years.



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Background information on the Canada-Saskatchewan Agreement on Environmental

Assessment Co-operation can be found at www.ceaa.gc.ca or www.serm.gov.sk.ca/.



For more information, please contact:



John Fraser Larry Lechner, Director

Press Secretary Environmental Assessment

Minister of the Environment Environment and Resource Management

Phone: (819) 997-1441 Phone: (306) 787-5786