The Province of Prince Edward Island will be a voice for sustainable development and careful protection of resources when it leads the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME), says Environment, Labour and Justice Minister Janice Sherry.

“As chair, I intend to continue the work of our departing chair – Minister James Arreak of Nunavut – and to lead a nationwide discussion about environmental issues,” Minister Sherry said.

Minister Sherry assumed the chair of the CCME Tuesday as Ministers set an agenda for discussion and collaboration among Ministers in 2013-14.

Among the areas of collaboration for the CCME are:

• Improving Canada’s record on reducing and recycling waste;

• Continuing progress on the Air Quality Management System;

• Implementing the CCME’s water action plan.

As chair, Minister Sherry will host the 2014 meetings of the CCME in Brudenell in September 2014.

“Not only is it our turn to host, but 2014 is a very important year for Prince Edward Island as we mark the 150th anniversary of the 1864 Charlottetown Conference,” she said. “I look forward to welcoming my Environment colleagues to the Island as we celebrate this important milestone.”

For information on the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment see www.ccme.ca.