New state-provincial partnership for Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River region

Ann Arbor, Mich.—Officials of the Great Lakes Commission today announced a new state-provincial alliance that will advance environmental protection, resource management and economic development efforts in the binational Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River region. The Governments of Ontario and Québec have accepted Associate Member status in the Commission which, for the last 45 years, has focused primarily on the U.S. portion of the system. This new alliance—unique to North America—allows senior officials from the eight states and two provinces to jointly develop policy, undertake projects and share resources while pursuing environmental and economic goals.

“A true state/provincial partnership is the only effective way to protect and manage this shared, binational resource,” stated Commission Chair Irene B. Brooks. “We applaud Premiers Mike Harris and Lucien Bouchard for their initiative and welcome them to the Great Lakes Commission.” Each province will appoint delegates to the Commission who will participate in the organization’s information sharing, policy research and regional advocacy functions.

“A world class resource demands a world class institution,” notes Dr. Michael J. Donahue, Commission executive director. “States and provinces have a primary stewardship responsibility for the resource, and this new alliance will lead to more efficiency and effectiveness in our individual and collective management efforts. It will also have benefits for our partnership with the U.S. and Canadian federal governments, other regional organizations and all with management responsibility for the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River region .”

Provincial leaders hailed the new alliance as well, recognizing potential environmental and economic benefits to their jurisdictions and the entire region. “Managing our shared resources effectively and protecting the environment are very important to the people of Ontario,” Premier Mike Harris said. “We welcome the opportunity to achieve these goals by strengthening Ontario’s partnership with its Great Lakes neighbors through our associate membership in the Commission.” Québec’s Premier Lucien Bouchard stated that his government was “honored” to accept Associate Member status. He added, “I want to assure the Great Lakes States of Québec’s support and cooperation in developing an even stronger partnership in the future.”

Based in Ann Arbor, Mich., the Great Lakes Commission was established by U.S. state and federal law. Associate membership for Ontario and Québec was established through the signing of a “Declaration of Partnership.” Québec endorsed the Declaration last May, and Ontario more recently. Current Commission priorities, among many others, include cleaning up toxic “hot spots,”promoting sound decisionmaking for water use and consumption, redeveloping brownfields, encouraging sustainable land use practices, and promoting water-based recreation and maritime commerce.

For immediate release: January 7, 2000
Contact: Dr. Michael J. Donahue, [email protected]

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The Great Lakes Commission is a nonpartisan, binational compact agency created by state and U.S. federal law and dedicated to promoting a strong economy, healthy environment and high quality of life for the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence region and its residents. The Commission consists of state legislators, agency officials and governors’ appointees from its eight member states. Associate membership for Ontario and Québec was established through the signing of a “Declaration of Partnership.” The Commission maintains a formal Observer program involving U.S. and Canadian federal agencies, tribal authorities, binational agencies and other regional interests. The Commission offices are located in Ann Arbor, Michigan.