Prime Minister welcomes choice of Montreal as UN Secretariat

Prime Minister Jean Chrétien today expressed great pleasure at the news that Montreal has been selected to host the Permanent Secretariat of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity.

"Canada was among the first countries to sign and ratify the UN Convention on Biological Diversity. This decision is an endorsement of Canada's international leadership on biodiversity issues and of our country's commitment to finding international solutions to protecting and preserving the world's environment," said the Prime Minister.

Montreal was selected on November 13 in Jakarta, Indonesia, by delegates to the Second Meeting of the Conference of Parties of the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity. The Canadian delegation was headed by Clifford Lincoln, Parliamentary Secretary to Sheila Copps, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Environment, and was made up of members from the federal government, including the Departments of Foreign Affairs and Environment, the Province of Quebec and the City of Montreal, as well as representatives from aboriginal, business and environmental organizations.

"This is good news for Montreal, for Quebec and for Canada," said Mr. Chrétien. "It will mean economic benefits for the city of Montreal and increased international prestige for Canada. When the international community makes a decision to locate in Canada, it is a recognition of the high standard of living and quality of life we enjoy in Canada and represents a strong affirmation in the stability of our country."

The Prime Minister also congratulated Montreal Mayor Pierre Bourque for waging a strong campaign on behalf of the city. Montreal was selected on the third ballot over the other candidate cities: Geneva, Madrid and Nairobi.

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