Nova Scotia Signs Deal With Caribbean Nation

ENVIRONMENT AND LABOUR--Nova Scotia Signs Deal With Caribbean Nations

A new agreement between Nova Scotia and the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) will lead to better protection of the environment and enhanced trade opportunities for Nova Scotia industries.

The agreement was signed on July 14 by Nova Scotia Environment and Labour Minister Kerry Morash and the governments of the OECS member states, represented by their environmental ministries. The signing occurred at a conference in Saint Lucia.

"I'm extremely proud to have played a part in finalizing an agreement that will help Nova Scotia's environmental industry forge new partnerships and develop new opportunities in the Eastern Caribbean," said Mr. Morash.

The memorandum of understanding identifies many areas for co- operation, including solid waste management, emergency planning and sustainable tourism. Agreements signed with Saint Lucia and other Eastern Caribbean states over the past 15 years have led to work exchange programs, training courses on environmental law and contracts for Nova Scotia environmental companies.

"Environmental protection is just too big a task for any one party or player to take on. I believe the best way to achieve sustainable development is through partnerships like this one," Mr. Morash said.

The OECS secretariat, based out of St. Lucia, is the co- ordinating body that represents the nine island states of the organization -- Antigua and Barbuda, Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Anguilla, and the British Virgin Islands.

Nova Scotia's environment industry leads the Atlantic Canadian sector, with revenues reaching $310 million in 2000. Environment and Labour provides assistance to Nova Scotia's environmental industries by co-ordinating the delivery of business assistance and by promoting the sector in the global marketplace. Initiatives in the Caribbean have been possible, in part, due to support given to industry by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and the Nova Scotia Office of Economic Development through the Canada/Nova Scotia Economic Diversification Agreement.