The Agreement provides a framework for bilateral cooperation on environmental issues and seeks to foster environmental protection and sustainable development in Canada and Chile. It also commits both countries to the effective enforcement of environmental laws and contains mechanisms to help ensure those commitments are kept. In particular, the objectives of this Agreement are to: a) foster the protection and improvement of the environment in the territories of the Parties for the well-being of present and future generations; b) promote sustainable development based on cooperation and mutually supportive environmental and economic policies; c) increase cooperation between the Parties to better conserve, protect, and enhance the environment, including wild flora and fauna; d) support the environmental goals and objectives of the CCFTA; e) avoid creating trade distortions or new trade barriers; f) strengthen cooperation on the development and improvement of environmental laws, regulations, procedures, policies and practices; g) enhance compliance with, and enforcement of, environmental laws and regulations; h) promote transparency and public participation in the development of environmental laws, regulations and policies; i) promote economically efficient and effective environmental measures; and j) promote pollution prevention policies and practices. Article 8 provides for the establishment of the Canada-Chile Commission for Environmental Cooperation. The Commission shall comprise a Council, a Joint Submission Committee and a Joint Public Advisory Committee. The Commission shall be assisted by the National Secretariat of each Party. Citizens and non-governmental organizations of the two countries are able to present an official complaint (submission) should they believe governments have failed to effectively enforce environmental laws. Part V on Consultation and Resolution of Disputes establishes that a consultation and dispute settlement process is available to the Parties where a persistent pattern of failure to effectively enforce an environmental law is alleged. Expected results are to facilitate collaboration between Canada and Chile on environmental priorities, aimed at strengthening environmental protection and to provide effective mechanisms to raise and resolve concerns about the effective enforcement of domestic environmental laws. Part V provides for implementation procedures emphasizing that “Environment Canada” works with Chile’s Ministry of Environment to implement the Agreement, in partnership with external experts (including representatives of other government department/agencies, academics, private sector and NGOs) who support collaborative activities. The text consists of 5 Parts as follows: Objectives (I); Obligations (II); Canada-Chile Commission for Environmental Cooperation (III); Cooperation and Provision of Information (IV); Consultation and Resolution of Disputes (V); General Provisions (VI); Final Provisions (VII).
Canadá, Chile · 1997-01-01