For the first time, the annual meeting of the Canadian Council of Forest Ministers (CCFM) will be meeting in Prince Edward Island. This year as well, forest ministers will be joined by their counterparts from parks and wildlife ministries. The meetings will be held in Charlottetown from September 30 to October 2. Some 60 delegates are expected to attend.
These national councils provide ministers with a common forum to discuss issues pertinent to their respective portfolios and to develop strategies and programs to address them.
The idea to hold the three meetings in one location was suggested at last year's CCFM meeting in Winnipeg.
"While responsibility for forestry, wildlife and parks fall under the same ministry in most provinces, ministers often have to travel to three separate meetings every year to cover each area," said Walter Bradley, the 1996 Chair of the CCFM. "By meeting in one location, we have cut down on travel, accommodation and conference costs, and while the three meetings will be held separately, we will still be able to discuss issues common to all three portfolios."
Mr. Bradley said the 1996 CCFM meeting will discuss issues such as the certification process for Canada's forest industry, the development of a new, revised National Forest Strategy and areas for federal and provincial cooperation. The ministers will also receive a briefing from Environment Canada on climate change and its potential impact on Canada's forests.
A communique will be issued on Tuesday afternoon and ministers will be available for a press briefing at the Prince Room of the CP Hotel at 4:00 p.m.