OTTAWA, Ontario, October 21, 2005 The Honourable
Stéphane Dion, Minister of the Environment, today announced the
release of Canada’s Response to the Recommendations in the International
Joint Commission’s (IJC) Twelfth Biennial Report on Great Lakes
Water Quality.
“The sustainability of the Great Lakes is an important Government
of Canada priority through the implementation of Project Green, the broad
environmental vision that links Canada’s economic competitiveness
and prosperity to a sustainable future,” said Minister Dion. “Many
actions have taken place to address the concerns raised by the IJC and
the Government of Canada is committed to continued action for the preservation
of this invaluable resource. The Great Lakes are the source of drinking
water for millions of our citizens and vital to the agricultural and
industrial sectors in Ontario.”
“The IJC has an important role to play in the management of Canada-United
States transboundary water issues and Canada appreciates the advice the
Commission provides to governments through their Great Lakes biennial
reports,” said Foreign Affairs Canada Minister Pierre Pettigrew,
who transmitted the Canadian response to the Commission.
Mercury reduction programs have had considerable success in reducing
all forms of mercury. Canada is also taking steps to deal with aquatic
invasive species issues in all Canadian waters, including the Great Lakes,
and is committed to addressing invasive species in co-operation with
the U.S. and the IJC. Canada will continue to work with the provinces
and its U.S. partners to further improve the conditions in the Great
Lakes so that human health is protected.
The terms of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (GLWQA) also require
the governments of Canada and the U.S. to undertake a comprehensive review
of the operation and effectiveness of the Agreement following every third
IJC biennial report. This requirement was formally triggered with the
release of the IJC’s 12th Biennial Report on September 13, 2004.
The
GLWQA, a model of binational co-operation for more than 30 years, established
shared objectives and a framework for domestic and co-ordinated
binational action. The current GLWQA review provides an opportunity
to ensure the Agreement continues to be a visionary statement that will
guide not only governments, but also members of the Great Lakes community,
in the continued protection and restoration of the Great Lakes.
This fall, the IJC will hold public meetings in seven Canadian communities
and seven U.S. communities to gather input on the review of the GLWQA.
The IJC’s report on its findings from these public sessions will
be used by Canada and the U.S. in their comprehensive review of the Agreement,
which will commence by March 2006.
Project Green is a set of policies and programs aimed at supporting
a sustainable environment, healthy population and competitive economy.
It addresses environmental and competitiveness issues for the 21st century,
including measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, to increase fuel
and energy efficiency and to increase Canadian and foreign markets for
environment technologies, which can drive our economy and protect our
environment and health. Through Project Green’s policies and programs,
Canada can set an international example by developing effective model
solutions for the long-term health of the planet.
Further information is available at:
Release of Canada’s Response to the
Recommendations In the IJC’s 12th Biennial Report On Great
Lakes Water Quality [2005-10-21, backgrounder]
Canada’s
Response to the Recommendations in the Twelfth Biennial Report on
Great Lakes Water Quality of the International Joint
Commission
The 12th Biennial
Report on Great Lakes Water Quality of the International Joint Commission
Great
Lakes Water Quality Agreement
Details
on the International Joint Commission’s public meetings
on the review of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement
For more information, please contact:
André Lamarre
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Environment
(819) 997 1441
Linda Klaamas
A/Regional Director
Great Lakes and Corporate Affairs Branch
Environment Canada, Ontario Region
(416) 739-4936
Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs Canada
(613) 995 1874
Jack Saunders
Communications Advisor/Media Relations
Environment Canada, Ontario Region
(416) 739-4785
