Trudeau, Biden Announce Preliminary Agreement On Columbia River Treaty

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced an agreement-in-principle reached between Canada and the United States on the modernization of the Columbia River Treaty.

In a statement this morning, Trudeau said the two countries have always been steadfast partners when it comes to protecting shared waters. 

He said the treaty, in place for more than 50 years, has played a crucial role in reducing flood damage and providing clean energy to millions of households, businesses, and industries in both countries. 

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,” Trudeau said 

The update would ensure continued flood risk management and co-operation on hydropower for the Columbia River and incorporate provisions not considered in the original agreement, such as ecosystem health and Indigenous cultural values. 

Trudeau says the agreement-in-principle is an important step on a path to renew the Columbia River Treaty. "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,” he said.

For more, visit Prime Minister of Canada.