On July 11, 2024, Canada and the U.S. reached a milestone in the process of modernizing the Columbia River Treaty – an agreement-in-principle (AIP) that sets the stage for an improved treaty that supports people and ecosystems on both sides of the border.

Over the past six years, the B.C. government has worked hard with the Government of Canada and the Ktunaxa, Secwepemc and Syilx Okanagan Nations to negotiate a modernized Columbia River Treaty with the U.S. that reflects B.C. Columbia Basin interests.

In engaging with basin communities since 2012 about how the treaty could be improved, we heard time after time that people feel the treaty puts too much emphasis on power generation and flood-risk management and not enough on environmental and social interests.

The AIP shifts the balance. The countries have agreed, in principle, that under a modernized treaty, B.C. would provide less pre-planned flood-risk management to the U.S. and gain new flexibility in how we operate our treaty dams, giving B.C. more control over river flows and reservoir levels to address domestic impacts to ecosystems and communities.

Canada and the U.S. have agreed to incorporate other new provisions not considered in the current treaty, such as to support ecosystem health and salmon restoration, respect Indigenous knowledge and cultural values, consider recreation, tourism and other socio-economic needs, reduce water-level fluctuations on treaty reservoirs, and adapt to the effects of climate change and other future unknowns.

The needs and interests of the basin have changed since the treaty was first ratified in the 1960s, with a changing climate, increased electricity demand, growing environmental awareness and a greater societal recognition of Indigenous rights. The AIP responds to those changes, outlining key elements that reflect the realities of today and enabling a modernized treaty to be adaptable to the needs of the future.

In addition to increased flexibility, the modernized treaty would also include: an Indigenous and tribal advisory body to provide recommendations on how treaty and other hydro operations can better support ecosystem needs and Indigenous and tribal cultural values; water flows to support salmon survival and migration; and a transboundary working group to work toward addressing common interests in the Kootenay/Kootenai river system and the Koocanusa reservoir. While these new additions will bring the treaty into the 21st century, the modernized treaty will continue to enable generation of clean energy and provide risk reduction for communities from damaging floods.

For now, until a modernized treaty is ratified, the current treaty remains in place. River and reservoir management will not change right away. For example, we anticipate that it is going to be another challenging year in Arrow Lakes Reservoir due to the ongoing drought in the Peace and Columbia regions, which powers most of the province, and our obligations under the current treaty.

It’s important to understand that the AIP is not a new treaty and is not set in stone. It is an agreement, in principle, on the key elements of a modernized treaty – a road map to guide Canada and the U.S. as they work toward drafting an amended, renewed treaty.

As the countries begin that process, the next step for B.C. is to engage with basin residents to explain what the AIP includes and seek their feedback. Since negotiations began, we have been clear that people would have their say before any modernized treaty is finalized. Now that an AIP has been reached, that process can begin.

In the weeks ahead, the government of B.C. will share more information about the AIP and opportunities for engagement. Details will continue to be shared on the Province of B.C.’s Columbia River Treaty website, which currently includes a summary of the AIP and answers to common questions.

I encourage all interested basin residents to read that information and join the conversation. We are at a key moment in this region’s history. After more than a decade of engagement and negotiations, we have within sight a once-in-a-generation opportunity to achieve a 21st-century Columbia River Treaty that better serves the basin and reflects the voices of those who live here.