One of the most important consequences of that Treaty is the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement between Canada and the United States. First signed by Prime Minister Trudeau and President Nixon in 1972, and subsequently revised in 1978 and 1987, this Agreement has led to major initiatives to clean up and protect the Great Lakes. The Agreement committed the two countries to “restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity” of the Lakes; prohibit “the discharge of toxic substances in toxic amounts”; and to virtually eliminate “the discharge of any or all persistent toxic substances.” 

 

It is now 24 years since the Agreement was updated. While we have made progress, these commitments have not yet been fully met, and new challenges demand our attention as well. Leaders in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence region, including federal, provincial, state, first nation, tribal, and municipal governments, as well as environmental and wildlife conservation groups, scientists, industry, and the broader public, believe that now is the time to update and revitalize the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement.

 

A new Agreement is now under active development by our governments. Current issues and recommendations are summarized in High Stakes for Our Great Lakes Agreement.

 

The Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River region is home to over 40 million people— 30 percent of Canada’s population and 10 percent of the U.S. population. The Brookings Institute found that the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River basin forms the third largest economic unit in the world, topped only by the full US economy and Japan. The Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River economy is larger than the economies of such powerhouses as China, India, Germany and the United Kingdom.

 

The lubricant for this massive economic engine is the Great Lakes. This global treasure supports and nurtures manufacturing, agriculture and fisheries, while attracting millions of tourists every year with their grandeur and vitality. It also provides a quality of life, including access to outdoor recreation and natural beauty that can attract creative entrepreneurs in the region’s growing “knowledge” economy.

 

Unfortunately, decades of environmental degradation of this shared Great Lakes ecosystem and resource have lessened this competitive advantage and have brought Great Lakes health to the brink of collapse. In a study of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River economy, the Brookings Institute conclude that improved environmental protection is essential for the economic well-being of the Great Lakes region. They write that:

 

“… effective priority protection demands a bi-national effort encompassing the entire water system through the St. Lawrence. As such, the president and Canadian prime minister should join to … articulate a bi-national set of priorities for Great Lakes-St. Lawrence restoration. These priorities should be based on strong consensus and scientific rationale, and should include specific recommendations for actions, investments, and projects.”[1]

 

The Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement is the most appropriate mechanism to articulate many of these bi-national goals, priorities, and commitments.

---