To: All Chiefs of Ontario
Dt: March 7, 2006
Fr: Sue Chiblow, Environment Coordinator
Re: Canada’s Response to the Recommendations in the 12th Biennial Report on the Great Lakes Water Quality by the International Joint Commission (IJC)s

Canada has released its response to the recommendations in the 12 th Biennial Report of the Great Lakes Water Quality by the IJC. The full document can be viewed at http://www.on.ec.gc.ca/greatlakes/default.asp?lang=En&n=F09D81D4-1. Canada’s response includes recommendations by the IJC on the chemical, physical and biological integrity of the Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem.

Canada's response to the recommendations in the 12Ih Biennial Report was made in consultation with eight federal departments (Agriculture and Agri-Food, Environment, Fisheries and Oceans, Health, Natural Resources, Parks, Public Works and Government Services, and Transport) and three provincial ministries (Ministry of the Environment, Natural Resources, and Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs). The response was also prepared in consultation with the United States for those recommendations which called for some form of binational initiatives.

The Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (GLWQA), established between Canada and the United States in 1972, amended in 1978 and revised in 1987, commits Canada and the United States to restore and maintain the chemical, physical and biological integrity of the waters of the Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem. The GLWQA requires the IJC to assess progress and assist both governments in achieving this goal. The IJC conducts biennial reports to meet this requirement. The purpose of the report is to assess the progress being made under the GLWQA, highlight issues that need attention and identify recommendations to both Canada and the United States based on its findings. The IJC released its 12 th Biennial Report on Great Lakes Water Quality on September 13, 2004, which can be found online, http://www.ijc.org/php/publications/html/12br/english/report/index.html.