Stewardship of the Great Lakes

The Canada-United States border runs through four of the five Great Lakes and their interconnecting rivers, causing them to come under federal jurisdiction in both countries. Although the land on and under the shores of the lakes is provincial jurisdiction in Canada, the waters of the boundary lakes and rivers are under federal authority.

Canada and the United States are party to the 1909 Boundary Waters Treaty , which was designed to address and resolve disputes and issues regarding the Great Lakes and other boundary waters. This treaty established the International Joint Commission, a quasi-judicial body that may give or withhold approval for the use, obstruction, or diversion of boundary waters shared between Canada and the United States. When requested, it investigates matters of concern to one or both governments and, on mutual consent, it may decide matters of difference between both governments, although it has never been asked to do so.

The Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (1972, 1978, 1987 Protocol) and the Niagara River Treaty (1950) are examples of arrangements between Canada and the United States that have followed the Boundary Waters Treaty. The federal governments of both countries provide considerable technical support to, and work closely with, the International Joint Commission, for example, on the management, wise use, and stewardship of the Great Lakes. For more information, contact:

Canadian Section Office of the
International Joint Commission 
234 Laurier Avenue West, 22nd Floor
Ottawa, Ontario  K1P 6K6
Tel.: 613-995-2984
Fax: 613-993-5583
E-mail: commission@ottawa.ijc.org

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