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International Joint Commission

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This article is about the US-Canada commission that oversees boundary water use and conservation. For the commission that deals with mapping and marking the border, see International Boundary Commission.

International Joint Commission
International Joint Commission
Commission mixte internationale
Abbreviation
  • IJC
  • CMI
Formation11 January 1909; 115 years ago (11 January 1909)
Legal statusActive
PurposeApproving projects that affect water, water levels, and flows across the boundary and investigating transboundary issues and recommending solutions
HeadquartersOttawa, Ontario, Canada
Washington, D.C., USA
Official languages
English and French
Chairperson (Canadian section)
Pierre Baril
Chairperson (US section)
Gerald Acker
Websiteijc.org
Sections of Canada and the United States (including in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, above) are separated by a boundary that is in water. A particularly extensive section of the Canada–US border is in the Great Lakes.

The International Joint Commission (French: Commission mixte internationale) is a bi-national organization established by the governments of the United States and Canada under the Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909. Its responsibilities were expanded with the signing of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement of 1972 (later amended 1987 and 2012).[1] The commission deals with issues affecting the extensive waters and waterways along the Canada–United States border.

A six member commission, it has multiple sub-commissions, which deal with particular sections of the border-waters, or topics, and a technical staff to organize and inform task-forces.

Role of the IJC

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Further information: Canada–United States border

Canada and the United States created the International Joint Commission because they recognized that each country is affected by the other's actions in lake and river systems along the border. The two countries cooperate to manage these waters and to protect them for the benefit of today's citizens and future generations.

The IJC is guided by the Boundary Waters Treaty, signed by Britain in right of Canada and the United States in 1909. The treaty provides general principles, rather than detailed prescriptions, for preventing and resolving disputes over waters shared between the two countries and for settling other transboundary issues. The specific application of these principles is decided on a case-by-case basis.

The IJC has two main responsibilities: approving projects that affect water levels and flows across the boundary and investigating transboundary issues and recommending solutions. The IJC's recommendations and decisions take into account the needs of a wide range of water uses, including drinking water, commercial shipping, hydroelectric power generation, agriculture, ecosystem health, industry, fishing, recreational boating and shoreline property.

Mission and mandates

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The International Joint Commission prevents and resolves disputes between the United States and Canada under the 1909 Boundary Waters Treaty and pursues the common good of both countries as an independent and objective advisor to the two governments.

In particular, the IJC rules upon applications for approval of projects affecting boundary or transboundary waters and may regulate the operation of these projects; it assists the two countries in the protection of the transboundary environment, including the implementation of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement and the improvement of transboundary air quality; and it alerts the governments to emerging issues along the boundary that may give rise to bilateral disputes.

Authorities

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Orders of approval

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The IJC has the authority to issue orders of approval. These orders place conditions on the application and operation of projects, such as dams, diversions or bridges that would affect the natural level of boundary waters. The application process for an order of approval is outlined in the IJC guide to applications.

References

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The IJC studies and recommends solutions to transboundary issues when asked to do so by the national governments. When the IJC receives a government request, called a reference, it appoints a board with equal numbers of experts from each country. Board members are chosen for their professional abilities, not as representatives of a particular organization or region.[2]

Activities

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The movement of the water near Niagara Falls on the border, is used to generate substantial hydroelectricity

Regulating shared water uses

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The IJC makes decisions on applications for projects, such as dams and diversions, that affect the natural level and flow of water across the boundary. Changing water levels can affect drinking water intakes, commercial shipping, hydroelectric power generation, agriculture, shoreline property, recreation, fisheries, wildlife, wetlands and other interests.

If the IJC approves a project, it may impose conditions on project design or operation to protect interests on either side of the boundary. The IJC may also appoint a board to monitor compliance of operational requirements, such as flows through a dam. Projects approved by the IJC include hydroelectric power projects in the Great Lakes and on the St. Lawrence River, the St. Croix River and the Columbia River. The IJC is also responsible for maintaining emergency water levels in the Lake of the Woods basin and for apportioning water among various uses in the Souris River, St. Mary River and Milk River basins.

Improving water quality

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In the Boundary Waters Treaty, Canada and the United States agreed that neither country will pollute boundary waters, or waters that flow across the boundary, to an extent that would cause injury to health or property in the other country. When asked by governments, the IJC investigates, monitors and recommends actions regarding the quality of water in lakes and rivers along the Canada-United States border. The IJC has water quality responsibilities for the St. Croix River, the Rainy River and the Red River. Much of the Commission's work focuses on helping governments clean up the Great Lakes and prevent further pollution.

Improving air quality

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As well as damaging rivers and lakes, air pollution affects human health, especially for people with respiratory illnesses such as chronic bronchitis and asthma. Over the years, the American and Canadian governments have asked the IJC to bring to their attention, or to investigate, air pollution problems in boundary regions. To support these activities, the IJC created the International Air Quality Advisory Board. As well, under the 1991 Canada-United States Air Quality Agreement, the IJC is required to collect and synthesize public comments on the air quality progress report published by the governments every two years.

Investigating issues and recommending solutions

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The IJC studies and recommends solutions to transboundary issues when asked to do so by the national governments. When the IJC receives a government request, called a reference, it appoints a board with equal numbers of experts from each country. Board members are chosen for their professional abilities, not as representatives of a particular organization or region.

References to the IJC have focused mostly on water and air quality and on the development and use of shared water resources. For example, one reference led to the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (1972), in which the two countries agreed to control pollution and to clean up wastewater from industries and communities. In 1978, a new agreement added a commitment to rid the Great Lakes of persistent toxic substances, which remain in the environment for a long time and can poison food sources for animals and people.

Although IJC reference recommendations are not binding, they are usually accepted by the Canadian and American governments.[3]

Organization

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The Commission is headed by six commissioners, three from each country. The Commissioners are appointed by the government of Canada and the United States. Commissioners do not represent their governments. The Canadian Commissioners appointed in 2019 are Pierre Béland (Canadian Chair), Merrel-Ann Phare and F. Henry Lickers. The American Commissioners appointed in 2019 are Jane Corwin (American Chair), Robert C. Sisson, and Lance V. Yohe.[4]

The Commission has three offices, in Ottawa, Washington, D.C., and Windsor, Ontario. The Windsor Great Lakes Regional Office (GLRO) was created under the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (GLWQA). It is staffed by a bi-national team of American and Canadian scientists and support staff.

Current commissioners

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The current commissioners as of December 22, 2024:[5][6]

Position Name Section Term start Term end Home State/Province Appointed by
Canadian co-chair Pierre Baril Canada Canada June 24, 2024 June 23, 2028 Quebec Quebec Mary Simon on advice of Justin Trudeau
Commissioner Merrell-Ann Phare Canada Canada May 9, 2019 December 20, 2027 Manitoba Manitoba Julie Payette, Mary Simon on advice of Justin Trudeau
Commissioner Susan Chiblow Canada Canada December 21, 2023 December 20, 2027 Ontario Ontario Mary Simon on advice of Justin Trudeau
U.S. co-chair Gerald Acker United States United States July 27, 2023 None Michigan Michigan Joe Biden
Commissioner Lance Yohe United States United States May 16, 2019 None North Dakota North Dakota Donald Trump
Commissioner Robert Gioia United States United States May 2, 2024 None New York (state) New York Joe Biden

Boards

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Separate boards are responsible for particular boundary waters issues. When there are special issues, a Task Force is assigned to make a report or recommendations. The various standing bodies are:

  • Accredited Officers of the St. Mary and Milk Rivers
  • Great Lakes Science Advisory Board
  • Great Lakes Water Quality Board
  • Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Adaptive Management Committee
  • Health Professionals Advisory Board
  • International Columbia River Board of Control
  • International Kootenay Lake Board of Control
  • International Lake Champlain-Richelieu River Study Board
  • International Lake of the Woods Control Board
  • International Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River Board
  • International Lake Superior Board of Control
  • International Niagara Board of Control
  • International Osoyoos Lake Board of Control
  • International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Board
  • International Red River Board
  • International Souris River Board
  • International Souris River Study Board
  • International St. Croix River Watershed Board
  • Nutrient Loading and Impacts in Lakes Champlain and Memphremagog

Locations

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement - 2012". Archived from the original on 5 April 2014. Retrieved 1 May 2014.
  2. ^ https://www.ijc.org/en/who/role Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  3. ^ Bolton, Aaron (1 April 2024). "A new deal may help reduce water pollution in Montana, Idaho". NPR News.
  4. ^ Macfarlane, Daniel (2020). The First Century of the International Joint Commission. Calgary: University of Calgary Press. pp. 573–576. ISBN 9781773851075.
  5. ^ "Board of Directors & Senior Executives". IJC.org. International Joint Commission. Retrieved 22 December 2024.
  6. ^ "Organization Profile - International Joint Commission". IJC.org. International Joint Commission. 14 January 2023. Retrieved 22 December 2024.
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