Québec and Ontario strengthen their collaboration on shared water management

Québec, May 29, 2015 – Today David Heurtel, Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment and the Fight against Climate Change for Québec, and Glen Murray, Minister of the Environment and Climate Change of Ontario, announced the creation of a joint Ontario-Quebec Committee on Water Management.

The mandate of the Joint Committee on Water Management will include facilitating co-operation and information sharing between Québec and Ontario on a wide range of water management issues, including water management of the waters of the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River and water quality in the rivière des Outaouais, lac Témiscamingue and lac Abitibi. The committee will also focus on searching for common solutions for shared drainage basins.

Each minister will designate four representatives to the joint committee, which will now function as a permanent forum on water management policies and programs implemented by Québec and Ontario.

The idea of deepening co-operation between the two provinces, in part by creating a joint committee, was first discussed at the most recent meeting of the Québec and Ontario cabinets.

As needed, the Committee will assemble working groups to respond to specific water management issues. It will also produce an annual work plan and will issue a report on its actions.

QUOTES

“Once again, our governments are demonstrating their clear will to work together to protect our environment and to ensure the safety of our citizens. Water management is a crucial issue, especially in the context of climate change. I am convinced that the committee’s work will expand and strengthen the preservation of this resource that is essential for life and on which the prosperity of our economies also rest. Together, we can fight climate change and ensure a better quality of life for our children.”

-David Heurtel, Quebec Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment and the Fight against Climate Change

“Today’s announcement is a result of Ontario and Québec’s commitment to collaborate on environmental issues of mutual concern. Working together to protect our shared water resources is a practical and effective way to combat climate change while improving water quality.”

-Glen Murray, Ontario Minister of the Environment and Climate Change

Guillaume Bérubé

Press Officer

Cabinet of the Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment and the Fight against Climate Change, Québec

Tel.: 418-521-3911

Lucas Malinowski

Media Relations

Ministry of the Environment

and Climate Change, Ontario

Tel.: 416-212-7307

Media Relations

Ministère du Développement durable, de l’Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques du Québec

Tel.: 418 521-3991

Lucas Malinowski

Media Relations

Ministry of the Environment

and Climate Change, Ontario

Tel.: 416-212-7307