Important Negotiations are Underway!
May 22, 2018
The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, announced today that Canada and the United States will launch negotiations on May 29, 2018, to renew the Columbia River Treaty. Katrine Conroy, B.C.’s Minister Responsible for the Columbia River Treaty, issued a statement in support of this announcement.
The U.S. Department of State has also issued a press release announcing the start of negotiations.
April 25, 2018
Negotiations between Canada and the United States on modernizing the Columbia River Treaty are expected to begin this Spring or Summer.
The Governments of BC and Canada have been working closely together, in consultation with Indigenous Nations and local governments, to prepare for these upcoming negotiations.
In March 2014, following extensive Indigenous Nations consultation and community engagement, and after conducting a number of technical studies, the Government of British Columbia announced its decision to continue the Columbia River Treaty and seek improvements within the existing framework. This decision is supported by the Government of Canada.
In December 2013 the U.S. Entity delivered its final recommendations to the U.S. Department of State. In the fall of 2016, the U.S. Department of State completed its review of the final recommendations and decided to proceed with negotiations to modernize the Treaty.
Community Meeting Series June 2018
May 24, 2018
Dates announced! The Columbia River Treaty Community Meetings will take place at the locations below. All meetings will run from 6pm – 9pm, local time. A light meal will be available at 6pm.
The meetings will provide an update on Columbia River Treaty negotiations between Canada and the United States, and host discussions on important community interests that should be considered during negotiations.
June 11 – Meadow Creek, Lardeau Valley Community Club
June 12 – Jaffray, Community Hall
June 13 – Creston, Community Complex
June 14 – Castlegar, Community Complex
June 15 – Nelson, Rod and Gun Club
June 18 – Valemount, Community Hall
June 19 – Revelstoke, Community Centre
June 20 – Golden, Civic Centre
June 21 – Nakusp, Community Complex
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Questions and comments are welcomed via email to ColumbiaRiverTreaty@gov.bc.ca
April 25, 2018
The Province of BC is pleased to announce a series of Community Meetings on the Columbia River Treaty, this June, 2018. The meetings will take place in the communities of Jaffray, Creston, Castelgar, Nelson, Valemount, Revelstoke, Golden and Nakusp.
These sessions will provide an update on Columbia River Treaty negotiations with the United States, a review and discussion of the input the Province received from Basin communities during the 2012-2013 public consultation, and a summary of work the Province and the Government of Canada have been doing to prepare for negotiations. Questions and comments will be encouraged throughout. Further details will be shared in May.
These meetings will relaunch the Province’s engagement with the public on the Columbia River Treaty. Indigenous Nations and Basin communities were not consulted with when the Treaty was first formed. It is a top priority for the Province to ensure they are engaged throughout this negotiation process.
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