Proposal
Second Extension of the 2007 Canada-Ontario Agreement Respecting the Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem (COA)
Regulation Number(s):
n/a
Instrument Type:
Proposal
Bill or Act:
n/a
Summary of Decision:
Canada and Ontario will continue to work together to restore and protect the Great Lakes by extending the current Canada-Ontario Agreement Respecting the Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem (COA) to June 24, 2012.
Article XI of the COA contains a provision for the amendment of the COA through an exchange of letters by the Parties. The current 2007 COA was extended for one year (to March 31, 2011) as an interim measure to allow the federal government time to negotiate amendments to the Canada-U.S. Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (GLWQA). Due to the ongoing process to amend the GLWQA, the federal and provincial Environment Ministers confirmed the second extension of the 2007 COA through an exchange of ministerial letters in March 2011. The Government of Ontario has posted these letters on the Environmental Registry as part of this Decision Notice.
During the second extension period, Canada and Ontario will continue to work together and with other partners to advance progress and achievements being made on the current suite of COA commitments. Canada and Ontario have also agreed to make some amendments to update and refresh some specific commitments under the current COA.
Article XI of the COA contains a provision for the amendment of the COA through an exchange of letters by the Parties. The current 2007 COA was extended for one year (to March 31, 2011) as an interim measure to allow the federal government time to negotiate amendments to the Canada-U.S. Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (GLWQA). Due to the ongoing process to amend the GLWQA, the federal and provincial Environment Ministers confirmed the second extension of the 2007 COA through an exchange of ministerial letters in March 2011. The Government of Ontario has posted these letters on the Environmental Registry as part of this Decision Notice.
During the second extension period, Canada and Ontario will continue to work together and with other partners to advance progress and achievements being made on the current suite of COA commitments. Canada and Ontario have also agreed to make some amendments to update and refresh some specific commitments under the current COA.
Further Information:
Link to Environmental Registry
Ontario Minister of the Environment's Letter to the Federal Minister of the Environment
(Download Adobe Reader)
Federal Minister of the Environment's Letter to the Ontario Minister of the Environment
(Download Adobe Reader)
Proposal Number:
11-MOE002
Posting Date:
January 12, 2011
Summary of Proposal:
The current Canada-Ontario Agreement Respecting the Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem (COA) was signed June 25, 2007 with an expiry date of March 31, 2010. To accommodate the process to amend the Canada-U.S. Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (GLWQA), COA was extended for one year and is now set to expire on March 31, 2011. COA helps Canada deliver on its GLWQA obligations.
Because the process to amend the GLWQA is ongoing, the governments of Ontario and Canada are considering a further extension of the term of COA through to June 24th, 2012. This additional extension will help maintain momentum on the restoration, protection and conservation of the Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem while the GLWQA is being amended.
As part of the additional extension, Canada and Ontario will continue to advance progress and achievements being made on the current suite of COA commitments. Through the extension process Canada and Ontario are considering amendments to update and refresh some specific commitments under the current COA.
Because the process to amend the GLWQA is ongoing, the governments of Ontario and Canada are considering a further extension of the term of COA through to June 24th, 2012. This additional extension will help maintain momentum on the restoration, protection and conservation of the Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem while the GLWQA is being amended.
As part of the additional extension, Canada and Ontario will continue to advance progress and achievements being made on the current suite of COA commitments. Through the extension process Canada and Ontario are considering amendments to update and refresh some specific commitments under the current COA.
Contact Address:
Great Lakes Office
135 St. Clair Avenue West
Floor 6
Toronto Ontario
M4V 1P5
Phone: (416) 314-6383
135 St. Clair Avenue West
Floor 6
Toronto Ontario
M4V 1P5
Phone: (416) 314-6383
Effective Date:
April 1, 2011
Decision:
Approved