Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the recent announcement by Canada and the United States to amend the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement all about?

Photos: Dave Miller / International Joint Commisssion

Niagara Falls, June 13, 2009 (12:30 p.m. EDT) - The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs, and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton announced June 13, during the official celebrations for the 100th anniversary of the Canada-U.S. Boundary Waters Treaty, that Canada and the United States are committed to amending the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement.

"These inland waters are the largest system of fresh surface water in the world, part of our natural heritage and the foundation for billions of dollars in trade, shipping, agriculture, recreation and other sectors," said Minister Cannon. "In seeking to amend the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, we will modernize it to address new challenges and reduce pollution. Joint stewardship of the environment is a cornerstone of the Canada-U.S. relationship. This aspect of our long history of collaboration will remain strong as we begin a second century of jointly managing our shared waters, which have served as both a treasured resource and a critical transportation link."

Secretary Clinton announced the intent of the Governments of Canada and the United States to update the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement during her remarks on the Rainbow Bridge overlooking Niagara Falls.

This development responds to advice from the International Joint Commission and many other organizations and citizens which called for modernizing the Agreement to take account of new scientific knowledge and new threats to the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River.

The Commission wishes the governments of Canada and the United States every success in their negotiations and stands ready to assist them in their negotiations and in addressing the critical challenges facing the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River basin ecosystem.

The Commission will continue to carry out its responsibilities under the current Agreement while it remains in force and, as required, is prepared to assume new roles that governments may assign under a revised agreement.

2. What is a ”Priority” set by the International Joint Commission (IJC)?

The IJC prepares a comprehensive report on progress under the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement every two years. Because the Agreement focuses on a wide variety of water quality issues facing the Great Lakes and the international section of the St. Lawrence River ecosystem, the IJC created a “Priority” setting process to focus on what it considers the most pressing issues. It reviews and revises these Priorities as needed every two years, after receiving input from the public, and prepares Biennial Reports to governments on the status of Great Lakes water quality.

These Priorities are specific issues for study that provide a focus for the work of the advisory boards. They enhance understanding and provide potential resolution to issues faced by Canada and the United States and the citizens of the Great Lakes basin. This work is not intended to substitute for the work of the two countries, but rather take advantage of the unique forum in which the IJC operates under the Agreement. Current priorities and work of the boards and council supported by the Great Lakes Regional Office can be found at http://ijc.org/en/activities/main_princ.htm.

The advisory boards and council recommend investigations on Priorities to the IJC. The IJC may also create additional task forces or working groups as required to undertake additional projects. This process allows the IJC to make a thorough assessment of progress under the Agreement for those Priority issues, and to recommend innovative and anticipatory actions to both governments to restore and protect the Great Lakes basin ecosystem. Depending on the issue, the IJC may require a specific reference from both federal governments to obtain the necessary funding for in-depth investigations, such as dealing with alien invasive species.

3. Can I get involved and become part of the process?

The IJC welcomes and encourages involvement from citizens in the basin who can share their knowledge and experiences of the Great Lakes. We invite advice from the public at any time and involve stakeholders from many different areas in our programs to ensure that advice and information is received from all interested parties. Biennial Meetings and other discussion sessions are held periodically, particularly as we prepare reports to the governments of Canada and the United States on progress under the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement.