Prime Minister Paul Martin today announced the appointments of Elyse Allan, Alan F. Amey, Katherine M. Bergman, Richard Drouin, Stephen Kakfwi, David Kerr, Manon Laporte, Audrey McLaughlin, Dee Parkinson-Marcoux, Darren Allan Riggs, Robert Schad and Sheila Watt-Cloutier as members of the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy (NRTEE). The Government is also recommending Glen Murray as the Chair of the Round Table. His nomination will be referred to the Standing Committee on the Environment and Sustainable Development.

“I am pleased to name this highly skilled, qualified and varied group to the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy,” said the Prime Minister. “As the Kyoto Protocol comes into force, Canada will depend on their advice, guidance and expertise to ensure that Canada respects its commitments under the Protocol.”

With the coming into force of the Kyoto Protocol and building on climate change action already underway, the Government of Canada is requesting the NRTEE’s advice and recommendations in the development of a long-term energy and climate change strategy for Canada.

The Round Table brings together distinguished Canadians from all sectors of society - government, industry, labour, academia, environmental organizations and aboriginal groups -- dedicated to the promotion of sustainable development in Canada. It is an independent advisory body that provides decision makers, opinion leaders and the Canadian public with advice and recommendations on promoting sustainable development.

BIOGRAPHIES OF MEMBERS

Stephen Kakfwi, from Yellowknife, Northwest Territories was elected as Premier of the 14th Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories on January 17, 2000. First elected in 1987, he served in Cabinet for twelve years. Mr. Kakfwi has held portfolios in Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Education, Housing, Safety and Public Services, Aboriginal Rights, Personnel, Workers’ Compensation Board and Justice. He previously served as the President of the Dene Nation from 1983 to 1987. Mr. Kakfwi organized and hosted the Papal visit of Pope John Paul II to Fort Simpson in 1987 on behalf of all the National Aboriginal organizations of Canada.