Canada and Ontario launch negotiations for a new Canada Ontario Agreement on Great Lakes Water Quality and Ecosystem Health
In May 2026, Canada and Ontario’s Environment Ministers exchanged letters to formally launch negotiations between the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario toward a new Canada-Ontario Agreement on Great Lakes Water Quality and Ecosystem Health. These letters reaffirm both governments’ commitment to continue to work together to protect and restore Great Lakes water quality and ecosystem health, while maintaining priority programs and actions during the transition period between agreements.
Letter from Minister Dabrusin
Honourable Todd McCarthy
Minister, Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
777 Bay Street, 5th Floor
Toronto Ontario M7A 2J3
May 13, 2026
Dear Minister McCarthy,
For over 50 years, Canada and Ontario have worked together under a series of agreements that have coordinated federal and provincial resources, activities and efforts to restore, protect and conserve the Great Lakes. This partnership has led to remarkable improvements, including dramatic reductions in harmful pollutants and the return of pollution-sensitive species such as bald eagles. The Government of Canada is proud of this historical cooperation and the contribution this has made to meeting obligations under the Canada-U.S. Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement.
As the current Canada-Ontario Agreement on Great Lakes Water Quality and Ecosystem Health (COA) expires on May 31, 2026, I wish to confirm the Government of Canada's intention to start negotiating the next COA
Recognizing that we will not have a new COA in place before the expiry date, I am writing to you to confirm that during the time between Agreements, we will continue to deliver programs that support Canada's obligations under the Canada-U.S. Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. As you are aware, through Budget 2023, the Government of Canada committed a historic investment of $420 million in new funding over 10 years to advance priority areas for action under the Great Lakes Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative. As such, we remain dedicated to working in close collaboration with the Government of Ontario to advance our shared priorities, including restoring water quality and ecosystem health in Areas of Concern and achieving phosphorus load reduction targets for Lake Erie through continued implementation of the Canada-Ontario Lake Erie Action Plan.
The Canada Water Agency is committed to moving negotiations forward in a timely way to minimize the gap between the expiry of the current CanadaOntario Agreement and the commencement of a new one. Over the coming months, we look forward to working with Ontario to meaningfully engage the Great Lakes community, including First Nations and Métis, in the development of a new Canada-Ontario Agreement.
As we begin formal negotiations, I am happy to announce that Jennifer McKay, Executive Director, Freshwater Management Directorate for Ontario at the Canada Water Agency, will act as Chief Negotiator on behalf of the Government of Canada.
The Great Lakes region is vital to Canada's society and economy. Managing Canada's fresh water is a responsibility we share, and continued collaboration between our governments, First Nations, Métis and stakeholders is essential to our success. I look forward to continuing our partnership and progress under a new Agreement.
Sincerely,
The Honourable Julie Dabrusin, P.C., M.P.,
Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Nature
Cc to:
The Honourable Heath MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
The Honourable Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources
The Honourable Joanne Thompson, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans
The Honourable Marjorie Michel, Minister of Health
The Honourable Steven MacKinnon, Minister of Transport
Letter from Minister McCarthy
May 29, 2026
357-2026-1363
The Honourable Julie Dabrusin, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Nature Government of Canada
Email: ministre-minister@ec.gc.ca
Dear Minister Dabrusin:
Thank you for your letter confirming the Government of Canada’s proposal to begin negotiations toward a renewed Canada–Ontario Agreement on Great Lakes Water Quality and Ecosystem Health (COA).
Ontario values the strong and longstanding partnership between our two governments, which over the past five decades has delivered measurable improvements to the Great Lakes, including restoring a significant number of impairments in Areas of Concern and reducing concentrations of the most toxic chemicals by 90 per cent.
With the current COA set to expire on May 31, 2026, I am pleased to confirm that the Government of Ontario remains committed to working with the federal government in the interim period while negotiation of a new, tenth COA is underway.
Healthy Great Lakes are foundational to the long-term economic prosperity and resilience of Ontario and Canada. The province remains committed to investing in the Great Lakes to support strong communities and competitive industries including fisheries, energy, transportation, agriculture and tourism.
The Government of Ontario shares Canada’s objective of minimizing the gap between agreements and is committed to working cooperatively toward a new COA, with meaningful engagement of First Nations, Métis, and Great Lakes partners and stakeholders.
As we begin formal negotiations, I am pleased to share that Leo Luong, Director of the Great Lakes and Inland Waters Branch at the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks, will serve as Chief Negotiator on behalf of the Government of Ontario.
I am confident that, together, we will build a new COA that further strengthens our collective efforts to protect, restore and conserve the Great Lakes for present and future generations. I look forward to our ongoing partnership and continued success.
Thank you again for writing.
Sincerely,
Todd McCarthy
Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
c: The Honourable Mike Harris, Minister of Natural Resources
The Honourable Trevor Jones, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness