Ontario Environment Minister Traveling to Montreal

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TORONTO 003133 SIPDIS SENSITIVE MONTREAL PLEASE PASS USDEL TO COP-11 E.O.12958: N/A TAGS: SENV PGOV KPAO PREL CA SUBJECT: Ontario Environment Minister Traveling to Montreal Ref: Toronto 1697 Sensitive But Unclassified - Protect accordingly. ¶1. (U) See action request in para 5. ¶2. (SBU) SUMMARY: Ontario Environment Minister Broten asked ConGen Toronto to help her set up meetings with U.S. environmental officials at the COP-11 meetings in Montreal next week. Post believes it would be useful for a U.S. official to meet with Broten, who lacks environmental expertise and whose views may therefore be more amenable to persuasion, to discuss U.S. environmental protection efforts. See action request in para 5. END SUMMARY. ¶3. (U) Ontario Environment Minister Laurel Broten asked ConGen Toronto to help her set up meetings with key American delegates representing U.S. states, municipalities, and businesses at the COP-11 meetings in Montreal. Broten will arrive in Montreal at about noon on December 6 and will depart Montreal on December 8 at about 2 PM. Broten will attend the Leaders Summit the afternoon of December 6. Senior Policy Advisor Lois Corbett is scheduling appointments for Broten. Corbett can be reached by e-mail at Lois.Corbett@ene.gov.on.ca or by phone until December 3 at 416-327-9720 and by cell phone after December 3 at 416-570-3342. ¶4. (SBU) Broten, who lacks environmental experience, was appointed to the post of Environment Minister last summer by Ontario Premier McGuinty, who has maintained a strong hand in developing Ontario's environmental policy. The McGuinty government has politicized the environment by publicly blaming the U.S. Ohio Valley for Ontario's air quality problems instead of engaging the U.S. and its own federal government in a constructive dialogue on the subject and acknowledging Ontario's contribution to its own problem (reftel). ¶5. (SBU) Action request: Post requests Department consider having a member of the U.S. delegation meet with Minister Broten in Montreal to discuss cross-border air quality issues and U.S. climate change policy. We believe it would be useful to lay down another marker with her that the U.S. is concerned about the environment, is working hard to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality, and is very interested in dialogue and working with Ontario (and Canada) on this issue. We believe she could be open to persuasion and more cooperative consultations with the U.S. End action request. ¶6. (U) Environment Minister Laurel Broten's biography follows: On October 02, 2003, Laurel Broten was elected to represent the community of Etobicoke - Lakeshore as their member of Provincial Parliament. Prior to her election to the Ontario Provincial Legislature, Broten maintained a successful practice as a trial lawyer. Furthermore, she has a track record of strong advocacy in the fight for a vibrant and healthy community. Broten is past chair of the Board of the Gatehouse, a community-funded centre for survivors of child abuse. Under her leadership as chair, the Gatehouse grew from a local initiative into an internationally recognized voice on child abuse prevention, recovery, and victims' rights. As former chair of the Gatehouse National Committee, her work with police services and other stakeholders expanded the Gatehouse services across Canada. In addition to her professional career, and her involvement at the Gatehouse, Broten was an active member of the Etobicoke Rotary, LAMP Community Health Centre Community Relations Committee, and a spokesperson and member of GASP (Good Air Safe Power). GASP is a grassroots organization that worked to phase out coal use at the Lakeview Generating Facility, the largest source of air pollution in the GTA. Broten took a leadership role in the Lakeshore Community Audit Project, a groundbreaking initiative that evaluated Lakeshore community strengths and needs and produced the Report Card on the Quality of Life in the Lakeshore. In this capacity she served on the Report Card steering committee, facilitated youth focus groups and participated in economic regeneration initiatives. Upon her appointment as Parliamentary Assistant to the Premier, Broten has been tasked with developing meaningful reforms to address the issues surrounding domestic violence in Ontario for the McGuinty Government. She has been working to draft changes in both attitudes and legislation across the province and has received invaluable contributions from individuals in all professional sectors that are affected by this important social issue. Broten has a B.A. and B.Sc. from McMaster University and a law degree from the University of Western Ontario. Prior to entering private practice for a large national firm, Laurel, who is fluently bilingual, articled at the Supreme Court of Canada. She has advocated on behalf of clients at all levels of court and before numerous tribunals and commissions. Broten and her husband, Paul, live in south Etobicoke. She recently gave birth to twins. End biography. LECROY