Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development

HOUSE OF COMMONS CHAMBRE DES COMMUNES OTTAWA, CANADA K1A 0A6

Comité permanent de l'environnement et du développement durable

For immediate release

Ottawa, November 25, 2004 - Media representatives please be advised that Mr. Alan Tonks, Chairman of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development, will table a report on Friday 26 November regarding the Great Lakes Charter Annex 2001 Implementing Agreements.

The report was triggered by the release by the Council of Great Lakes Governors (which includes the premiers of Ontario and Québec) of two Agreements in July 2004 that outline Standards for permitting new diversions and consumption of Great Lakes water. The Committee concludes that the Agreements, as they stand, are too permissive and that the federal government should recommend to the Council of Great Lakes Governors changes to strengthen the Agreements.

The full report will be available after tabling on the Committee website at: /CommitteeBusiness/ReportsResponses.aspx?Language=E&Mode=1"1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="4">