Canadian Country Life

The Great Divide: How Canada Controls and Protects the Great Lakes

The Great Lakes aren’t just a scenic backdrop for a Sunday drive; they are the lifeblood of North America. Holding roughly 20% of the world’s surface freshwater, they provide drinking water for one in four Canadians and support billions of dollars in economic activity.

But with 8 states and 2 provinces sharing these waters, how does Canada actually “control” its side? It isn’t through a giant gate in the middle of Lake Huron. Instead, it’s a sophisticated web of international treaties, provincial laws, and scientific monitoring.

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1. The Power of the Treaty: The International Joint Commission (IJC)

Canada’s control begins with a handshake that’s over 115 years old. The Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909 established the International Joint Commission (IJC).

Think of the IJC as the referee of the Great Lakes. Because water doesn’t care about borders, Canada and the U.S. agreed that neither side could unilaterally change water levels or pollute the water to the point of hurting the other.

• Water Levels: The IJC regulates the flow of water through dams and power projects, ensuring that Lake Ontario doesn’t flood New York or that the St. Lawrence River doesn’t run dry in Quebec.
• Dispute Resolution: If a new bridge or diversion is proposed, the IJC must approve it, ensuring Canadian interests are protected before a single stone is moved.

2. The Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (GLWQA)

While the IJC handles the “how much” of the water, the GLWQA handles the “how clean.” First signed in 1972 and updated as recently as 2012, this agreement is Canada’s primary tool for environmental control.

Through this framework, Canada works with the U.S. to:

• Identify “Areas of Concern”: These are highly polluted spots (like Hamilton Harbour or the Detroit River) that require intensive “Remedial Action Plans” to clean up.
• Combat Algae: Canada sets strict phosphorus reduction targets, particularly for Lake Erie, to prevent the toxic blooms that can shut down entire water systems.
• Stop Invasive Species: Binational programs work to keep out “uninvited guests” like Asian Carp, which could devastate the $7 billion fishing industry.

3. Ontario’s “Great Lakes Protection Act”

While the federal government handles the international stuff, the Province of Ontario does the heavy lifting on the ground. Under the Great Lakes Protection Act (2015), Ontario has the legal teeth to protect its 10,000 kilometers of Great Lakes shoreline.

This act allows the province to:

• Set Regional Targets: If a specific wetland is dying or a beach is constantly closed, the province can create a “Geographically Focused Initiative” to fix that specific area.
• Empower Local Guardians: It established the Great Lakes Guardians’ Council, which brings together First Nations, Métis communities, and local municipalities to weigh in on how their specific stretch of water is managed.

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The Challenge of “Shared” Control

“Control” is a tricky word when it comes to the Great Lakes. Because Canada only owns about 33% of the water surface area (Lake Michigan is entirely in the U.S.), Canada’s control is largely collaborative.

If a factory in Ohio dumps chemicals into Lake Erie, it affects the water in Leamington, Ontario. Therefore, Canada’s most effective form of control is diplomacy and science. By providing world-class research through agencies like Environment and Climate Change Canada, the Canadian government ensures that every binational decision is backed by data that protects Canadian shores.

Summary of Governance

Level	Key Instrument	Primary Focus
International	Boundary Waters Treaty (IJC)	Water levels, flows, and diversions.
Binational	GLWQA	Pollution, invasive species, and habitat.
Provincial	Great Lakes Protection Act	Shoreline health, wetlands, and local action.

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The Great Lakes are a shared treasure, and Canada’s “control” is a constant balancing act of defending national sovereignty while maintaining a vital partnership with our neighbors to the south.