International Joint Commission facts for kids
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International Joint Commission
Commission mixte internationale |
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| Abbreviation |
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|---|---|
| Formation | 11 January 1909 |
| Legal status | Active |
| Purpose | Approving projects that affect water, water levels, and flows across the boundary and investigating transboundary issues and recommending solutions |
| Headquarters | Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Washington, D.C., USA |
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Official languages
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English and French |
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Chairperson (Canadian section)
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Pierre Béland |
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Chairperson (US section)
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Gerald Acker |
The International Joint Commission (IJC) is a special group created by the governments of the United States and Canada. It was formed in 1909 by the Boundary Waters Treaty. Later, its work grew when the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement was signed in 1972.
The IJC helps manage the many lakes and rivers that are along the long border between Canada and the United States. It makes sure both countries work together on water issues. The commission has six members, three from each country. They also have smaller groups and experts who help with specific water topics.
Contents
Why the IJC is Important
Canada and the United States share a very long border. Many lakes and rivers flow across or along this border. Both countries realized that what one country does with these waters affects the other. So, they created the IJC to work together.
The IJC helps manage these shared waters. It also works to protect them for people living today and for future generations. The IJC follows rules from the Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909. This treaty helps prevent and solve arguments about shared waters. It also helps with other issues that cross the border.
The IJC has two main jobs. First, it approves projects that change water levels or how water flows across the border. Second, it studies problems that cross the border and suggests ways to fix them. When the IJC makes decisions, it thinks about many different uses for water. This includes drinking water, shipping, making electricity, farming, and keeping nature healthy.
What the IJC Aims to Do
The International Joint Commission works to prevent and solve disagreements between the United States and Canada. It does this under the 1909 Boundary Waters Treaty. The IJC acts as an independent advisor to both governments. Its goal is to help both countries for their common good.
The IJC has several key tasks:
- It decides on requests for projects that affect shared waters. These projects could be dams or bridges.
- It helps both countries protect the environment across the border. This includes working on the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement.
- It also helps improve air quality that crosses the border.
- The IJC warns governments about new problems along the border. This helps stop small issues from becoming big arguments.
How the IJC Makes Decisions
Approving Water Projects
The IJC has the power to give "orders of approval." These are like special permissions. They set rules for how projects, such as dams or bridges, can be built and used. These projects must not harm the natural water levels of shared lakes and rivers.
If someone wants to build a project that affects boundary waters, they must apply to the IJC. The IJC then reviews the plan carefully.
IJC's Daily Activities
The IJC makes decisions about projects like dams. These projects can change how much water flows or the water level across the border. Changes in water levels can affect many things. This includes drinking water, boats, power plants, farms, and even wildlife.
If the IJC approves a project, it might add rules for how it should be built or run. These rules help protect people and nature on both sides of the border. The IJC might also create a special group to check if the rules are being followed.
Some projects approved by the IJC include hydroelectric power plants. These are found in the Great Lakes, on the St. Lawrence River, and other rivers. The IJC also helps manage emergency water levels in some areas. It also divides water among different users in certain river basins.
Improving Water Quality
In the Boundary Waters Treaty, Canada and the United States agreed on something important. Neither country should pollute shared waters in a way that harms the other country. The IJC investigates and suggests ways to improve water quality. It does this when the governments ask for help.
The IJC works on water quality for rivers like the St. Croix and the Red River. A big part of its work is helping governments clean up the Great Lakes. It also helps prevent new pollution from happening there.
Improving Air Quality
Air pollution can harm rivers and lakes. It also affects people's health, especially those with breathing problems. Over the years, both governments have asked the IJC to look into air pollution problems near the border.
To help with this, the IJC created the International Air Quality Advisory Board. The IJC also collects public comments on air quality reports. These reports are published by the governments every two years.
Studying Issues and Suggesting Solutions
The IJC studies problems that cross the border. It then suggests solutions to these problems. It does this when the national governments ask for its help. When the IJC gets a request, it forms a special board. This board has an equal number of experts from both countries. These experts are chosen for their skills, not to represent a certain group.
Most of the IJC's studies have been about water and air quality. They also look at how shared water resources are used and developed. For example, one study led to the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement in 1972. In this agreement, both countries promised to control pollution. They also agreed to clean up wastewater from factories and towns. Later, in 1978, a new agreement was made. It focused on getting rid of harmful chemicals in the Great Lakes. These chemicals stay in the environment for a long time and can poison food.
Even though the IJC's suggestions are not legally binding, the Canadian and American governments usually accept them.
How the IJC is Organized
The IJC is led by six commissioners. Three are from Canada and three are from the United States. These commissioners are chosen by their governments. However, they do not represent their governments. They work independently.
The IJC has three offices: one in Ottawa, Canada, one in Washington, D.C., USA, and one in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. The Windsor office focuses on the Great Lakes. It has a team of American and Canadian scientists and staff.
Commissioners of the IJC
| Name | Section | Term start | Term end | Home State/Province | Appointed by | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pierre Béland |  Canada |
May 9, 2019 |  Quebec |
Julie Payette on advice of Justin Trudeau | Section Chair | |
| Henry Lickers | Canada |
May 9, 2019 |  Ontario |
Julie Payette on advice of Justin Trudeau | ||
| Merrell-Ann Phare | Canada |
May 9, 2019 |  Manitoba |
Julie Payette on advice of Justin Trudeau | ||
| Rob Sisson |  United States |
May 16, 2019 |  Michigan |
Donald Trump | ||
| Lance Yohe | United States |
May 16, 2019 |  North Dakota |
Donald Trump | ||
| Gerald Acker | United States |
July 28, 2023 | Michigan |
Joe Biden | Section Chair |
IJC Boards and Task Forces
The IJC has different boards that focus on specific water issues along the border. When there are new or special problems, a "Task Force" might be created. This group then studies the problem and makes suggestions.
Here are some of the standing boards and groups:
- Accredited Officers of the St. Mary and Milk Rivers
- Great Lakes Science Advisory Board
- Great Lakes Water Quality Board
- Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Adaptive Management Committee
- Health Professionals Advisory Board
- International Columbia River Board of Control
- International Kootenay Lake Board of Control
- International Lake Champlain-Richelieu River Study Board
- International Lake of the Woods Control Board
- International Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River Board
- International Lake Superior Board of Control
- International Niagara Board of Control
- International Osoyoos Lake Board of Control
- International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Board
- International Red River Board
- International Souris River Board
- International Souris River Study Board
- International St. Croix River Watershed Board
- Nutrient Loading and Impacts in Lakes Champlain and Memphremagog
IJC Office Locations
- IJC Canadian Section – 234 Laurier Avenue West, 22nd Floor Ottawa, Ontario
- IJC United States Section – 1717 H Street NW, Suite 835, Washington, D.C.
- Great Lakes Regional Office – 100 Ouellette Ave., 8th Floor, Windsor, Ontario
See also
- Commission for Environmental Cooperation
- Great Lakes Fishery Commission
- International Boundary and Water Commission (US and Mexico)
- International Boundary Commission
- Title 22 of the Code of Federal Regulations
