Ensuring community participation in the CEC’s decisions has been one of the priority concerns of the Joint Public Advisory Committee (JPAC) since its inception in July 1994 to promote regional cooperation for sustainable development and ecosystem protection.

The Committee conveys its recommendations to the Council of Ministers through various means. The Advisory Committee represents the public and hears the views of non-governmental ecological organizations, private-sector groups, and individuals from nacec.the three member countries, at meetings and discussions. For example, last year, the Committee organized meetings in all three countries, where it heard public opinion on procedures and rules needed by the CEC in the search for acceptable solutions to various conflicts.

The JPAC will continue on this path. The CEC needs the expert advice and the support of the public to fulfill its mandate. In turn, the public needs a wide and appropriate range of opportunities to exert its influence on the work of the Commission for Environmental Cooperation. Both the CEC and the public must understand the possibilities and the risks involved in a relationship that is so open and dynamic. The members of the Advisory Committee are the proud link between both.

Recently, the JPAC began the process of public consultations regarding financing and operating regulations for a new North American environment fund. The information obtained is being distributed in order to generate comments. The C$2-million fund was created by the Council of Ministers to finance local projects that address priority matters included in the CEC programs. The results of these consultations will be used to ensure public input into the final version of the environment fund’s operative regulations and financing criteria.

The JPAC is also preparing to participate actively at the next Council of Ministers meeting to be held in Canada. To that effect, the Council has given us the mandate to organize the preparatory meetings with persons who will attend the public session with the Ministers. The experience of the Oaxaca ministerial meeting last October will be taken into account at these preparatory meetings. Emphasis will be placed on building a cooperative relationship in North America by:

• providing information and promoting public dialogue;
• seeking feedback as regards general and specific matters;
• incorporating feedback into the decision-making process;
• facilitating direct dialogue with the Ministers, and
• ensuring that the public is informed as to the impact of CEC decisions.

As Chair of the Joint Public Advisory Committee, I would add, on behalf of my colleagues, that we intend to keep the channels of communication open during the upcoming meeting of the Council of Ministers and throughout 1996. At the JPAC we are working keenly to reach our common objectives, through public interaction and mutual cooperation established to seek sustainable development and ecosystem protection in and beyond North America.