Mr. Michael Martin, Chief Negotiator and
Ambassador for Climate Change
Environment Canada
Strategic Policy Branch
10 Wellington Street
Gatineau QC K1A 0H3

Dear Mr. Martin:

Re: Prince Edward Island’s Vulnerability to Climate Change

I wish to extend my congratulations on your appointment as Chief Negotiator and Ambassador for Climate Change in Canada. I believe this to be an extremely important and timely appointment given Canada’s need for representation in climate change negotiations taking place around the world.

In your new position, you should be aware that Prince Edward Island is particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change due to our sea level elevation and coastline erosion. This vulnerability has been highlighted in the June 2001, Environment Canada, Natural Resources Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada jointly released report entitled Coastal Impacts of Climate Change and Sea-Level Rise on Prince Edward Island, as part of the Climate Change Action Fund Project, as well as the more recent Natural Resources Canada report entitled From Impacts to Adaptation: Canada in a Changing Climate. I’ve enclosed a copy of the reports for your ease of reference.

The potential impacts of climate change are of great importance to the economic and environmental future of Prince Edward Island. The livelihood of many Prince Edward Islanders involved in fisheries, agriculture and tourism directly depends on the environmental resources of the province.

The lack of updated research available on Prince Edward Island’s vulnerability to climate change is of great concern, as it is imperative to both mitigate our impact on the environment and begin the adaptation process given the effects that climate change will have on our province. I expect that Prince Edward Island’s vulnerability to climate change is one of your national and international priorities as Canada’s Ambassador for Climate Change.

I hope you will arrange for a visit to our province in order to allow you to see first hand some of the challenges facing Prince Edward due to the climate change crisis. If I can be of any assistance, please feel free to contact me at your convenience.

Sincerely,
Percy E. Downe
Senator