The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
The Honourable David Anderson, Minister of the Environment, and the Honourable Bill Graham, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced Canada's ratification of the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty, commonly called the Madrid Protocol in reference to the city in which it was originally signed. "The Government made a promise in the House of Commons earlier this year that Canada would ratify the Madrid Protocol by the end of the 2003," said Minister Anderson. "I am extremely pleased to announce that we have been successful." "The Government of Canada is living up to its international commitment to protect the Antarctic environment," said Minister Graham. "Canada is very pleased to work closely with other countries around the world in ensuring that the Antarctic environment is preserved for future generations." Ratification is possible because the legislation necessary to implement the requirements of the Madrid Protocol - namely that Parties oversee the activities of their nationals in the Antarctic - came into force today. The Antarctic Environmental Protection Act (AEPA) and its Regulations include bans against damaging historic sites, mandatory environmental assessments, and stipulations that waste management plans and environmental emergency plans be reviewed and approved before Canadian activities can take place in the Antarctic. As of December 1, 2003, people on Canadian expeditions or tours, and those operating Canadian aircraft and vessels are required to apply for, and receive, a permit to be in the Antarctic, except when granted permission from another Party to the Madrid Protocol or in the case of an emergency.
