Press Release

Montréal Symposium on Air Pollution and Public Health: A FIRST STEP TOWARDS QUALITY AIR Montréal, 24 May 2002 – The co-presidents of the Symposium on Air Pollution and Public Health, the Minister of State for Municipal Affairs, the Environment and Water, André Boisclair, and Scott Johnstone, Natural Resources Secretary for the State of Vermont, have declared that they are entirely satisfied with the results of the first Symposium Held in Montréal on May 23 and 24. Under the auspices of the Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canada Premiers, the Symposium brought together over 150 researchers, experts and decision makers from the field of health and the environment from Québec, Canada and the United States. The objective of the Symposium was to better understand the effects of air pollution on human health. Greater understanding in this field will allow us to focus on the challenges that we will need to meet in order to protect the environment. Experienced speakers presented the results of the latest research in the area of air pollutants and their effects on human health. Among these speakers was Dr David Suzuki, host of the CBC’s popular series The Nature of Things, scientist and noted environmentalist, and president of the David Suzuki Foundation. His conference addressed the issue of one of the major challenges of the 21st century, namely the establishment of true minimal environmental conditions. He also explained the very narrow relationship which exists between humans, industrial development and nature. As underlined by the Minister of State for Municipal Affairs, the Environment and Water, André Boisclair, “Québec, the provinces of Eastern Canada and the states of New England are facing the same the environmental challenges, as these problems know no boundaries. For this reason, I believe that the Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canada Premiers is the ideal forum to discuss the issue of air pollution, in order to find and share common solutions”. Secretary Scott Johnstone added that “Science is the backdrop. What leadership will do with this information is the key to protecting public health and the environment”. Also present at the Symposium was Kim Jardine, New Brunswick’s Environment and Local Government Minister. The Symposium was sponsored by the Ministère de l’Environnement du Québec, the Ministère de la Santé et des services sociaux, the Ministère des Relations internationales and by the Institut de santé publique du Québec.   - 30 - Sources: Richard Valentinetti Director Department of Environmental Conservation Agency of Natural Ressources State of Vermont Tel: (802) 241-3860     Patrick Septembre Communications Advisor Tel: (418) 521-3823, extension 4173