The Honourable John Wilkinson, M.P.P.
Minister of the Environment
Government of Ontario
77 Wellesley Street West
11th Floor, Ferguson Block
Toronto ON M7A 2T5

Dear John:

I am writing on behalf of the federal ministers of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Fisheries and Oceans, Health, Natural Resources, and Transport, Infrastructure and Communities regarding the extension of the Canada-Ontario Agreement Respecting the Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem.

Since 1971, Canada and Ontario have worked together under a series of Great Lakes agreements. Those agreements have guided our efforts to improve the water quality and aquatic ecosystem health of the Great Lakes Basin, and contributed to meeting Canada’s obligations under the Canada-U.S. Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. Canada and the United States are currently negotiating amendments to that agreement to strengthen and modernize it in order to address existing and emerging threats. While those negotiations proceed to completion, it is important that our respective governments continue to work together under the Canada-Ontario Agreement framework so that our efforts to restore, protect and conserve the Great Lakes Basin ecosystem are not interrupted.

Accordingly, I am writing to confirm our mutual agreement to extend the term of the Canada-Ontario Agreement Respecting the Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem to June 24, 2012, the maximim extension permitted under federal law, and to add new commitments to the Agreement in support of our efforts to protect the Great Lakes.

The current Canada-Ontario Agreement is scheduled to expire on March 31,2011. Article XI permits Canada and Ontario to amend the Agreement by an exchange of letters. On behalf of our respective governments, we have agreed to amend the Agreement by extending its term to June 24, 2012, and to add new commitments to the Agreement in support of our efforts for the protection of the Great Lakes during the extension. The amendments are set out in the enclosed appendix.

The Government of Canada pledges to work with the Government of Ontario under the existing Canada-Ontario Agreement, and to negotiate new Canada-Ontario Agreement expeditiously, so that a new agreement will be in effect on or before June 25, 2012. in our view, there should be no gap between the expiry of the existing agreement and the commencement of a new one.

The Great Lakes are vital in supporting our environment, economy and society. Canada appreciates Ontario’s continued commitment to protect and improve these important waters.

Sincerely,

Signature of The Honourable Peter Kent

The Honourable Peter Kent, P.C., M.P.

Enclosure

c.c.: The Honourable Gerry Ritz, P.C., M.P.
The Honourable Gail Shea, P.C., M.P.
The Honourable Leona Agglukaq, P.C., M.P.
The Honourable Christian Paradis, P.C., M.P.
The Honourable Chuck Strahl, P.C., M.P.

Appendix to Exchange of Letters between Canada and Ontario concerning the Canada-Ontario Agreement Respecting the Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem

Whereas Article XI of the Canada-Ontario Agreement Respecting the Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem (the "Agreement") allows Canada and Ontario to amend the Agreement after conducting public consultations;

And whereas Canada and Ontario have conducted public consultations concerning proposed amendments to the Agreement, and have agreed to amend the Agreement by extending the term to June 24, 2012 and by adding six new commitments to the Annexes, namely commitments related to:

  • Harmful Pollutants
  • Spills Prevention and Response
  • Nearshore Framework
  • Implement Binational Cooperative Monitoring Programs
  • Stewardship Activities
  • Implement the Aquatic Invasive Species Complete Prevention Plan

And whereas Canada and Ontario have therefore agreed as follows:

  1. Canada and Ontario agree to amend the Agreement by deleting "March 31, 2011" from Article XIII and inserting in its place "June 24, 2012".
  2. Canada and Ontario agree to further amend the Agreement by the addition of the following:

    Under Annex 2, Goal 2, Result 2.3

    a.1 "Share information from their respective chemical management programs to improve joint coordination of efforts in reducing harmful pollutants in the Great Lakes Basin;"

    Under Annex 2, Goal 2, Result 2.3

    d.1 "Strengthen their combined effectiveness for spill prevention, preparedness, response and recovery, including reviewing capabilities, roles and responsibilities. This will include assessing opportunities for enhancements to capabilities to respond to significant incidents or spills to air, land or water that could potentially impact the Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem;"

    Under Annex 3, Goal 1, Result 1.3

    e.1 "Develop options and engage stakeholders and Aboriginal communities on a Canadian framework to assess and protect the aquatic and ecosystem health of Great Lakes' nearshore."

    Under Annex 3, Goal 1, Result 1.4

    f.1 "Undertake intensive monitoring year for Lake Superior; and coordinate Canadian and U.S. federal, Ontario, and state monitoring and research initiatives based on research and monitoring priorities."

    Under Annex 3, Goal 2, Result 2.2

    d "Undertake an evaluation of the environmental and economic effectiveness of agricultural non-point source best management practices, including an assessment of action at the farm and watershed scale."

    Under Annex 3, Goal 4, Result 4.1

    d.1 "Initiate the implementation of the "Aquatic Invasive Species Complete Prevention Plan" to address aquatic invasive species issues in Lake Superior."
  3. Canada and Ontario agree that the amendments set out above shall have an effevtive date of March 31, 2011 and that the other terms and conditions of the Agreement remain in full force and effect.