Update on Progress Towards a Modernized Columbia River Treaty

From left to right: Parliament Hill, Ottawa, Ont.; Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Victoria, B.C.; Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C.

It has been an eventful year in the process towards modernizing the Columbia River Treaty.  With so much going on, we wanted to take a moment to recap recent milestones.

An Agreement-in-Principle is reached

After six years of negotiations, Canada and the U.S. reached an Agreement-in-Principle (AIP) in July, which paved the way for the countries to begin drafting amended Treaty text, and for B.C. to begin engaging with Basin residents to explain the AIP and seek feedback.

Engaging residents of the B.C. Columbia Basin

Since then, a significant amount of information has been shared with the public, explaining the new and updated elements outlined in the AIP, and how they create a framework for modernizing the Treaty to support communities and ecosystems across the Columbia Basin.  The Province of B.C. hosted a virtual public information session in September, with representatives of the Canadian negotiating team providing an explanation of the AIP and answering questions on a range of topics.  A recording of the session is available on the B.C. Columbia River Treaty website, along with an overview video, a backgrounder, the content of the AIP, and answers to frequently asked questions.  Basin residents have been sending in feedback, questions and comments since July, which has been informing next steps in the modernization process.

Drafting amended Treaty text

At the same time, Canada, B.C. and Canadian Basin First Nations have been working with the U.S. to draft amended Treaty text in a way that reflects the AIP.  Negotiators from both countries are working quickly and diligently to put into place a modernized Treaty that secures the new and updated provisions outlined in the AIP.  The sooner a modernized Treaty comes into effect, the sooner it can be implemented to enhance ecosystems, salmon populations, Indigenous and Tribal cultural values and Basin communities.

We want your feedback

The Province continues to welcome feedback on the AIP.  Those interested in sharing their views are encouraged to do so via the online survey.  You don’t need to be an expert on the AIP or be prepared to comment on the whole agreement.  The survey allows you to select which sections you’d like to provide feedback on, or whether you’d simply like to provide general comments.  Written submissions are also being accepted in accordance with the submission guidelines.

Many of the comments received to date include requests for more information.  People want to better understand what the AIP will mean for the B.C. Basin and how it will affect reservoir levels.  They also want to know how the new Canadian flexibility will be used, how the reduction in flood risk management storage will affect flood risk in B.C., and how ecosystem and socio-economic interests will be factored into modernized operations.

Some of the comments about the AIP itself include:

• A desire to see a more formal inclusion of ecosystem health as a third pillar of a modernized Treaty, along with flood risk management and power generation;
• Support for the objectives of the Kootenay/Kootenai Transboundary Collaborative Workgroup, which will address common interests in the Kootenay/Kootenai river system and the Koocanusa Reservoir, and also questions about representation in the group;
• Support for the Joint Ecosystem and Indigenous and Tribal Cultural Values Body (JEB), with recommendations that its role be elevated beyond an advisory body; and
• Concerns about the reduction in the Canadian Entitlement – B.C./Canada’s share of additional power potential south of the border resulting from operation of B.C.’s Treaty dams – at a time when electricity demand is increasing.

While feedback received so far has been informing the drafting of amended Treaty text, many of the comments can be considered during implementation of the Treaty.  This means that feedback from residents, local governments and First Nations will be needed even after Treaty ratification, whenever that might be.

Join us at a second virtual information session on December 19, 2024, from 6 – 7:30 p.m. Pacific Time / 7 – 8:30 p.m. Mountain Time to receive further updates on the Treaty modernization process and learn more about key elements of the AIP.  A recording will be available afterwards.  Register today.