How the process works

The IJC's public consultation
Consultation with First Nations and Tribes
The governments' review NEW!

The IJC's public consultation

This summer, the governments of Canada and the United States asked the International Joint Commission (IJC) to seek the public's views on how well the GLWQA has worked so far and how effective it has been. In response, the IJC held public meetings in 14 Great Lakes and St. Lawrence cities this fall, wrapping up its consultations with an innovative Web Dialogue. It also received comments from individuals and organizations by hand, mail, fax, phone, e-mail and online. More than 4000 individuals and organizations took part, and the IJC thanks everyone for their involvement and support as well as their thoughtful and valuable comments.

The IJC has completed a report synthesizing all the views it has heard, which is now in production. It is scheduled for release in April, when it will be available on the website and in print. The full record of the consultation will be available on CD on request.

The information submitted by the public will inform the governments of the United States and Canada as they launch their own process in 2006.

Consultation with First Nations and Tribes

The national governments of Canada and the United States will consult directly with First Nations and Tribes about the review of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. Members of the First Nations and Tribes are also invited to attend the meetings the IJC is holding in Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River cities or to participate online, by mail or by telephone.

The governments' review

The U.S. and Canadian Federal governments, as the Parties to the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, have begun reviewing the Agreement’s operation and effectiveness.

The two governments have committed to an open, transparent and inclusive review process which allows for the involvement of all interested parties, and are calling for public participation in a number of Review Working Groups. Applications to join this process should be submitted to the Agreement Review Committee Secretariat by March 31, 2006.

For more information, visit http://binational.net/glwqa_2006_e.html.

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