16/11/2005 – Environment Canada and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced the signing of a joint Canada/U.S. agreement which will help agencies better deal with future inland pollution incidents along the New Brunswick and the State of Maine border.

“By signing the CANUSEAST Annex we formalize our contingency plans and clearly demonstrate our collective readiness to deal with pollution incidents that could occur along our shared borders,” said Garth Bangay, Regional Director General of Environment Canada, Atlantic Region. “Our ability to more effectively and efficiently respond to future pollution incidents by using a shared plan and combined resources, will protect the environment, and in turn protect the quality of life and the economic prosperity of Canadian and American citizens in the affected areas.”

Canadian and U.S. officials have long recognized the high probability of an oil spill or the unintentional release of other hazardous substances along their common inland border. The plan ensures a coordinated and integrated federal response to pollution incidents, supports the provincial, territorial, regional, and state emergency plans of both countries, and provides for assistance when only one country is affected but the extent of the spill justifies a request for assistance.

" As part of binational emergency preparedness and, as needed, for emergency response along the Canada-U.S. inland border, under the Canada - U.S. Joint Inland Pollution Contingency Plan, it is vital that EPA and Environment Canada are prepared to quickly engage in a coordinated, effective manner to address major environmental issues along our border," said U.S. EPA Regional Administrator Robert W.Varney. "The CANUSEAST Annex greatly enhances our joint capabilities and I thank all those involved in its preparation."

The newly signed CANUSEAST Annex is the fourth of five regional annexes to the Canada/US Joint Inland Pollution Contingency Plan which was signed in 1994 by Canada’s Minister of the Environment and the Administrator of the EPA.

This agreement represents further progress towards ensuring the security and quality of life of the citizens of Canada and the United States - an overarching goal of the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America announced by the leaders of Canada, the United States and Mexico earlier this year.

This agreement was signed under the umbrella of Project Green, a set of policies and programs by the Government of Canada aimed at supporting a sustainable environment, healthy population and competitive economy.