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Canada-Chile Agreement on Environmental Cooperation (CCAEC)
Introduction
The CCAEC is one of two side agreements to the Canada-Chile Free Trade Agreement. The other side agreement, the Canada-Chile Agreement on Labour Cooperation, deals specifically with labour related issues. This package of agreements came into force in July of 1997.
The Canada-Chile Free Trade Agreement and its side accords were modelled after the North American Free Trade, Environment and Labour package of Agreements (NAFTA, NAAEC & NAALC) with a view to strengthening the existing relations between Canada and Chile and, facilitate eventual accession of Chile to the NAFTA and its environment and labour side agreements.
Under the auspices of the CCAEC (the Agreement), Canada and Chile agree to enhance environmental cooperation and to effectively enforce environmental laws, such as those governing water, air, toxic substances and wildlife. The goal of the agreement is to ensure that environmental laws and regulations in both countries provide for high levels of environmental protection.
The Agreement establishes the forum through which Canada and Chile conduct cooperative activities. The Canada-Chile Commission for Environmental Cooperation is composed of a Council, a Joint Submissions Committee and a Joint Public Advisory Committee. The Commission is supported by two National Secretariats (Canadian & Chilean) established in each country.
Cooperative activities are carried out through the annual work program and budget of the Commission.
The Agreement confirms the right of each country to establish its own level of environmental protection, policies and priorities. It does not authorize a Party to undertake activities to enforce environmental laws and regulations in the other Party's territory.
The Agreement contains provisions which allow citizens and non-governmental organizations of the two countries to make submissions alleging a Party's failure to effectively enforce its environmental laws and also contains provisions for dispute resolution when persistent patterns of non-enforcement occur.
As per Article 1 , The main objectives of the Agreement are:
- foster the protection and improvement of the environment in the territories of the Parties for the well-being of present and future generations;
- promote sustainable development based on cooperation and mutually supportive environmental and economic policies;
- increase cooperation between the Parties to better conserve, protect, and enhance the environment, including wild flora and fauna;
- support the environmental goals and objectives of the CCFTA;
- avoid creating trade distortions or new trade barriers;
- strengthen cooperation on the development and improvement of environmental laws, regulations, procedures, policies and practices;
- enhance compliance with, and enforcement of, environmental laws and regulations;
- promote transparency and public participation in the development of environmental laws, regulations and policies;
- promote economically efficient and effective environmental measures; and
- promote pollution prevention policies and practices.
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