The International Joint Commission (French: Commission mixte internationale) is a bi-national organization established by the governments of the United States and Canada under the Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909. Its responsibilities were expanded with the signing of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement of 1972 (later amended in 1987 and 2012). The commission deals with issues affecting the extensive waters and waterways along the Canada–United States border. A six-member commission, it has multiple sub-commissions, which deal with particular sections of the border-waters, or topics, and a technical staff to organize and inform task-forces. In a report published in January 2025, called on the U.S. and Canadian governments to take action to monitor microplastics in the lakes, and to designate microplastics a "chemical of mutual concern". Scientists in the group's advisory board would like to see new policies to help reduce plastic production and consumption. They also recommend individual actions, such as single-use plastic products, and installing filters on washing machines and dryers so that plastic fibers are not released with wastewater.
Role of the IJC
Canada and the United States created the International Joint Commission because they recognized that each country is affected by the other's actions in the lake and river systems along the border. The two countries cooperate to manage these waters and to protect them for the benefit of today's citizens and future generations. The IJC is guided by the Boundary Waters Treaty, signed by Britain on behalf of Canada and the United States in 1909. The treaty provides general principles, rather than detailed prescriptions, for preventing and resolving disputes over waters shared between the two countries and for settling other transboundary issues. The specific application of these principles is decided on a case-by-case basis. The IJC has two main responsibilities: approving projects that affect water levels and flows across the boundary and investigating transboundary issues and recommending solutions. The IJC's recommendations and decisions take into account the needs of a wide range of water uses, including drinking water, commercial shipping, hydroelectric power generation, agriculture, ecosystem health, industry, fishing, recreational boating, and shoreline property.
Mission and mandates The International Joint Commission prevents and resolves disputes between the United States and Canada under the 1909 Boundary Waters Treaty and pursues the common good of both countries as an independent and objective advisor to the two governments. In particular, the IJC rules upon applications for approval of projects affecting boundary or transboundary waters and may regulate the operation of these projects; it assists the two countries in the protection of the transboundary environment, including the implementation of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement and the improvement of transboundary air quality; and it alerts the governments to emerging issues along the boundary that may give rise to bilateral disputes.
Authorities
Orders of approval The IJC has the authority to issue orders of approval. These orders place conditions on the application and operation of projects, such as dams, diversions, or bridges that would affect the natural level of boundary waters. The application process for an order of approval is outlined in the IJC guide to applications.
References The IJC studies and recommends solutions to transboundary issues when asked to do so by the national governments. When the IJC receives a government request, called a reference, it appoints a board with an equal number of experts from each country. Board members are chosen for their professional abilities, not as representatives of a particular organization or region.
Activities
Regulating shared water uses The IJC makes decisions on applications for projects, such as dams and diversions, that affect the natural level and flow of water across the boundary. Changing water levels can affect drinking water intakes, commercial shipping, hydroelectric power generation, agriculture, shoreline property, recreation, fisheries, wildlife, wetlands, and other interests. If the IJC approves a project, it may impose conditions on project design or operation to protect interests on either side of the boundary. The IJC may also appoint a board to monitor compliance with operational requirements, such as flows through a dam. Projects approved by the IJC include hydroelectric power projects in the Great Lakes and on the St. Lawrence River, the St. Croix River and the Columbia River. The IJC is also responsible for maintaining emergency water levels in the Lake of the Woods basin and for apportioning water among various uses in the Souris River, St. Mary River, and Milk River basins.
Improving air quality As well as damaging rivers and lakes, air pollution affects human health, especially for people with respiratory illnesses such as chronic bronchitis and asthma. Over the years, the American and Canadian governments have asked the IJC to bring to their attention, or to investigate, air pollution problems in boundary regions. To support these activities, the IJC created the International Air Quality Advisory Board. As well, under the 1991 Canada–United States Air Quality Agreement, the IJC is required to collect and synthesize public comments on the air quality progress report published by the governments every two years.
Improving water quality In the Boundary Waters Treaty, Canada and the United States agreed that neither country would pollute boundary waters, or waters that flow across the boundary, to an extent that would cause injury to health or property in the other country. When asked by governments, the IJC investigates, monitors, and recommends actions regarding the quality of water in lakes and rivers along the Canada–United States border. The IJC has water quality responsibilities for the St. Croix River, the Rainy River, and the Red River. Much of the Commission's work focuses on helping governments clean up the Great Lakes and prevent further pollution.
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