WASHINGTON, July 11,
2024 /CNW/ - The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau,
today issued the following statement on an agreement-in-principle
reached between Canada and
the United States on the Columbia
River Treaty:
"Canada and the United States have always been steadfast
partners when it comes to protecting our shared waters. Today, in
Washington, D.C., I'm proud to
reaffirm this partnership through an agreement-in-principle reached
between our two countries on the modernization of the Columbia
River Treaty.
"For more than 50 years, the Columbia River Treaty has played a
crucial role in reducing flood damage and providing clean energy to
millions of households, businesses, and industries in both of our
countries. Today's announcement is the result of extensive
negotiations between the Government of Canada and the Government of the United States. Canada's negotiating team is a partnership
between the federal government, the Province of British Columbia, the Ktunaxa, the Secwépemc,
and the Syilx Okanagan Nations. This agreement-in-principle is the
result of extensive engagement, notably with Indigenous and local
communities, to ensure that all interests are heard, represented,
and addressed.
"The agreement-in-principle is a major milestone that will
enable us to now update the Treaty, ensuring continued flood risk
management and co-operation on hydropower for the Columbia River
and incorporating important provisions not considered in the
original agreement, such as ecosystem health and Indigenous
cultural values. The modernized Treaty will reduce flood risk in
communities, advance Indigenous priorities, and promote clean
energy goals.
"The agreement-in-principle is an important step on our path to
renew the Columbia River Treaty and to advance our Roadmap for a
Renewed U.S.-Canada Partnership. Together with the United States, we reaffirm our historic
alliance, steadfast friendship, and commitment to making life
better for people on both sides of our shared border – and to
building a more free, equitable, secure, and prosperous world for
everyone."
This document is also available at https://pm.gc.ca
SOURCE Prime Minister's Office