COA MOC More Information

New Cities Activity on the Great Lakes

You may have seen all those television cameras at the last GLSLCI conference in July 2008 in Toronto. They were recording the Mayors of the Great Lakes, joining with three provincial ministers - Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs - in signing a new agreement of cooperation on the Great Lakes. GLSLCI is excited to have this unique new opportunity for municipalities to have a “seat at the table” to discuss protection of the Great Lakes.

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What is the Canada-Ontario Agreement Memorandum of Cooperation?

 In July 2008, the Ontario Government and the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative signed an agreement of cooperation to “build collaboration between the Ontario Government and Ontario municipalities in the protection and conservation of the Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem”.

The Canada-Ontario Agreement Memorandum of Cooperation (COA MOC) committed GLSLCI to facilitate a process of engagement with Ontario municipalities and the provincial signatories to the COA, including the Ontario Ministries of the Environment, Natural Resources, and Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. GLSLCI has coordinated the first phase of this process on behalf of all Ontario municipalities, including GLSLCI members and non-members.

The goals of the COA MOC are:

1. To build collaboration between the Ontario Government and Ontario municipalities in the protection and conservation of the Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem.

2. To establish mechanisms to discuss and pursue common objectives and address issues of concern to municipalities and the Ontario Government related to the protection and conservation of the Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem.

Mayor David Miller, Mayor Lynn Peterson and Minister John Gerretsen at the signing of the COA MOC.

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What is the Canada-Ontario Agreement?

The Canada-Ontario Agreement Respecting the Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem (COA) is the primary agreement between Canada and Ontario to protect Great Lakes water quality on the Canadian side.  It acts as a guiding principle to shape and integrate federal and provincial Great Lakes programs, drive budgets, and define goals, results, and responsibilities in maintaining and enhancing water quality.  It is also the mechanism used by Canada to meet its obligations under the Canada-US Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (GLWQA). 

The current COA (2007-2010) has four Annexes which focus on: reducing the impact of harmful pollutants; promoting sustainable land and water management; remediating Areas of Concern; and coordinating water quality monitoring, research and information. 

Why is the COA important to municipalities?

In the past, there has been limited municipal involvement in the COA.  Influencing its content is important to municipalities in:

1. Providing an opportunity to improve Great Lakes water quality programs and achieve results related to water quality issues that are directly impacting Great Lakes municipalities, and

2. Offering Great Lakes municipalities the possibility to assist in contributing to the Canada-US Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, if opened for renegotiation.

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COA MOC Process

GLSLCI will work with municipalities to provide ideas and advice to the Ontario Government on the Canada-Ontario Agreement, which expires in 2010.  In order to have a new COA ready by March 2010, it is helpful to start discussing ideas as early as possible.

This process involves the work of three committees:

1.  A Municipal Working Group will develop priorities and advice on Great Lakes issues of municipal interest;

2.  A Joint Municipal-Provincial Committee made up of municipal working group members and provincial officials, will discuss the priorities and advice brought forward by the municipal working group; and

3. A Great Lakes Mayors and Chairs Committee will meet once with the Ministers of the Environment, Natural Resources, and Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, to discuss the advice brought forward by the municipal working group and the joint municipal provincial committee.

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What issues have been discussed to date during the COA MOC process?

Municipalities have an interest in water quality, quantity and waterfront vitality. Lately, more attention has been focused on the nearshore - the critical zone where the land meets the lake - as this is where many activities happen, from swimming, boating, fishing and also the location of drinking water intakes and stormwater and wastewater pipes.  Protecting water quality in this nearshore zone will be important for all Great Lakes communities and will require collaboration on many fronts including: reducing algal growth, protecting natural areas and wetlands, and managing better beaches.

Municipalities need to begin thinking about and planning for the impacts of climate change, including increased storminess, changing water levels, and increasing water temperatures. Wastewater and stormwater management have recently become more difficult as a result of more frequent extreme wet weather events.  This presents significant challenges for municipalities as they strive to reduce sewage bypasses, develop green infrastructure to reduce stormwater runoff, and explore other innovative options for adapting to climate change.

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