This fall, the International Joint Commission (IJC) released its 2023 Third Triennial Assessment of Progress (TAP) on Great Lakes Water Quality. Published every three years, the report reviews progress by the Parties (i.e., the Canadian and U.S. governments) towards achieving the objectives under the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (GLWQA). The 2023 TAP outlines positive achievements related to remediation of Great Lakes toxic hotspots, legacy contamination cleanup and ecosystem restoration. It also identifies opportunities to strengthen government efforts under the GLWQA, including in the areas of collaboration with First Nations, Métis and Tribal governments; climate resilience and adaptation and Great Lakes science.
The Pollution Probe team has a long history of work focused on advancing the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement’s objectives and is pleased to see many of the priorities we have continued to advocate for, reflected in the TAP recommendations. The report brings attention to the amazing work being done within the binational Great Lakes region to improve water quality and ecosystem health.