Made to Last: Celebrating a Century of the Canada-U.S. Boundary Waters Treaty (1909-2009)

January 11, 2009, marked the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Boundary Waters Treaty, one of the greatest accomplishments of Canada and the United States’ bilateral relations.

Recognized as the world’s first environmental agreement, the Boundary Waters Treaty provides principles for Canada and the United States to follow in managing their shared waters. This joint commitment to protecting the environment and the resources of the boundary waters is reflected in the various articles of the Treaty, one of which states that waters shall not be polluted on either side of the border to the injury of health or property on the other side.
 
To commemorate this occasion, the International Joint Commission (IJC), created by the 1909 Boundary Waters Treaty, held its official centenary celebrations at Niagara Falls on June 13, 2009, at the culmination of Boundary Waters Week, where the Niagara River Corridor held water-themed conferences, festivals, exhibitions, performances, guided hikes and tours.

During this event, the IJC Commissioners joined municipal leaders from the Canadian and American jurisdictions along the Niagara River to celebrate this legacy of cooperation and the invaluable nature of our shared waters.

The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, took this opportunity to discuss bilateral and international issues. At the culmination of their discussions, they announced on June 13th that Canada and the United States are committed to amending the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement.

Canada-U.S. shared waters

 

(Canada-U.S. Transboundary Basins, Source: Environment Canada)

 

For further information, please visit:

• News Release - Canada and United States Committed to Amend Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement
• News Release - Minister Cannon to Participate in Boundary Waters Treaty Centennial Celebration at Niagara Falls
• News Release - Statement by Minister Cannon Marking the 100th Anniversary of Boundary Waters Treaty
• Commemorative stamp: Celebrating a centenary of international cooperation in sharing water resources
• 1909 Boundary Waters Treaty
• Boundary Water Treaty Centennial Website
• Tackling Climate Change and Preserving Canada's Environment  (November 2008 Speech from the Throne)