Columbia River Treaty Agreement-in-Principle
On this page:
open
Overview
Who: Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation Columbia River Treaty Team
What: Agreement-in-Principle reached between Canada and the U.S. to modernize the Columbia River Treaty
Where: Columbia Basin region, B.C.
Why: To inform next steps in the process to modernize the Columbia River Treaty
How: Online and written submissions
Engagement summary
The Province of B.C. is seeking feedback on the Agreement-in-Principle reached between Canada and the U.S. to modernize the Columbia River Treaty. Canada and the U.S. have reached an Agreement-in-Principle (AIP) on modernizing the Columbia River Treaty, first ratified in 1964 to enhance hydropower generation and manage flood risks. This proposal is intended to include, in addition to the existing Treaty purposes, new provisions to enhance ecosystems in both countries and address B.C. domestic objectives.
The AIP is the result of six years of negotiations between Canada and the U.S. and over a decade of engagement with Canadian Columbia Basin Indigenous Nations, local governments and residents. While non-binding, the AIP provides a roadmap for drafting a modernized Treaty.
The Province of B.C. is now seeking feedback from Indigenous Nations, local governments and residents in the Canadian Columbia Basin on the AIP.
Learn more about the AIP
To learn more about the Columbia River Treaty Agreement-in-Principle, visit the Province of B.C. Columbia River Treaty website, which includes an overview video, backgrounder, a document containing the content of the AIP, and other information about the Treaty.
Ways to participate
Online questionnaire
All people in British Columbia are welcome to share their feedback through the online questionnaire. The questionnaire will be open until March 31, 2025 at 4 pm.
Written feedback
All members of the public and organizations are invited to send their feedback by email to columbiarivertreaty@gov.bc.ca or by mail to:
Columbia River Treaty Team
Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation
PO Box 9314 Stn Prov Govt.
Victoria B.C. V8W 9N1
View the guidelines for submitting written feedback.
Attend a community meeting
Community meetings will be held in the Canadian Columbia Basin in the fall / winter of 2024/25. Learn more by visiting the Province of B.C. Columbia River Treaty website.
Sign up for email updates
To sign up for email updates about the Columbia River Treaty, visit the Province of B.C. Columbia River Treaty website.
How your contribution makes a difference
Feedback will inform the next steps in the process to modernize the Columbia River Treaty.
Related engagements
