Provincial, Federal Environment Ministers Meet

Nova Scotia's newly appointed Minister of the Environment, Ron Russell, had an opportunity this week for discussions with his federal counterpart, David Anderson, during a luncheon meeting in Halifax.

"I was delighted to meet with Mr. Anderson," said Mr. Russell. "It was a chance for us to cover a number of issues of mutual interest, and an opportunity for us to explore areas where our departments can work together on environmental projects."

Mr. Russell said the federal minister was receptive to a number of ideas he and deputy minister George Fox brought to his attention. He said the meeting laid the groundwork for the kind of relationship that will promote co-operation, particularly in the fields of water and sewage management.

"There are a number of opportunities for collaboration between Environment Canada and the Nova Scotia Department of the Environment," said Mr. Russell. "For instance, already we are working co-operatively on programs around service delivery to communities with an interest in environmental sustainability. I have advanced the Bras d'Or Lakes as an ideal site to pilot such a partnership, and I expect we will continue to discuss this."

The ministers will meet again in November at a gathering of the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment. That meeting will be held in Edmonton.