NEWS RELEASES
CANADA WELCOMES INTERNATIONAL JOINT COMMISSION REPORT ON PROTECTION OF WATERS OF THE GREAT LAKES
March 15, 2000 (10:10 a.m. EST) No. 45
CANADA WELCOMES INTERNATIONAL JOINT COMMISSION
REPORT ON PROTECTION OF WATERS OF THE GREAT LAKES
Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy and Environment Minister David Anderson
today were pleased to receive the final report from the International Joint
Commission (IJC), Protection of the Waters of the Great Lakes. The report's
conclusions support the Government of Canada's environmental approach,
announced in February 1999, which will prohibit bulk water removal from Canada's
major drainage basins.
"This is a comprehensive and strengthened report. Its conclusions and
recommendations are clear: the waters of the Great Lakes need protection," said
Minister Axworthy. "Canada is already taking action. Under Bill C-15, which is now
before Parliament, the Great Lakes and other boundary waters will be protected
from bulk removals under federal law."
In February 1999, Canada and the United States asked the IJC to investigate and
make recommendations on the implications of water consumption, diversion and
removals in the Great Lakes. The IJC reference was one component of Canada's
three-pronged strategy to prohibit bulk water removal out of Canadian watersheds.
The other two components of the strategy are the amendments to the International
Boundary Waters Treaty Act (Bill C-15), and the development of a Canada-wide
accord with provincial and territorial governments to prohibit water removals out of
Canadian watersheds.
"We have said all along that Canada's approach of protecting water in its natural
state in water basins is the most effective means of preserving the integrity of
ecosystems and is consistent with international trade obligations," Minister Axworthy
added. "The IJC report confirms this. Canadian governments have full sovereignty
over the management of water in its natural state, and in exercising this sovereignty
they are not constrained by trade agreements."
"The protection of our water resources for present and future generations of
Canadians is of critical importance," said Minister Anderson. "The IJC report is
consistent with and reinforces our strategy to prohibit bulk water removals, including
recognition of the environmental basis for action, and the need for co-operation
between governments in protecting this precious resource."
"I will be discussing the findings and recommendations of the International Joint
Commission with my provincial and territorial colleagues," Minister Anderson added.
"I am encouraged that other governments have either endorsed the Canada wide
accord prohibiting bulk water removal or passed legislation or regulations that
achieve the same result of protecting Canada's water."
The federal government will review the report recommendations in detail, and
respond formally to the IJC after consulting with provincial governments, the U.S.
and other stakeholders.
The IJC is an independent, bi-national Canada-U.S. organization established under
the 1909 Boundary Waters Treaty. It assists Canada and the U.S. in managing
waters along the border for the benefit of both countries.
- 30 -
For further information, media representatives may contact:
Debora Brown
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
(613) 995-1851
Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
Velma McColl
Office of the Minister of the Environment
(819) 997-1441
Jennifer Moore
Environment Canada
(819) 997-5674
This document is also available on the Department of Foreign Affairs and
International Trade's Internet site: http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca and on Environment
Canada's Green Lane: http://www.ec.gc.ca
| 
