The Great Lakes supply consumption, transportation, power and recreation to support local economies.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau renewed Canada’s commitment with the United States to preserve and restore the Great Lakes on March 24.
The two reached the agreement during President Joe Biden’s two-day visit to Ottawa from March 23 to 24, the first time a TK president has stayed overnight on non-summit related business since 2004. Along with environmental efforts, their meeting discussed policies surrounding the influx of improper Quebec border crossings, global alliances, supply chains, the opioid overdose crisis and collective security, according to whom?.
"Today as we stand … at an inflection point in history, our nations are once again called upon to lead, and together I believe we're answering the call," said Biden in a joint press conference when.
The Great Lakes, made up of Lake Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie and Ontario, supply 21% of the world’s freshwater. More than 30 million people live in the surrounding Great Lakes watershed, which is home to 7% of American and nearly 25% of Canadian farm production. Past and present neglect have left the Great Lakes polluted by chemicals and microplastics, destroyed habitats and created land-use runoff.
Biden and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a $1 billion investment as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal to clean the most environmentally damaged areas in 2022. The investment is part of $4 billion total spent on the U.S. Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, which was founded by former President Barack Obama in 2010.
“The Great Lakes are a vital economic engine and an irreplaceable environmental wonder, supplying drinking water for more than 40 million people, supporting more than 1.3 million jobs, and sustaining life for thousands of species,” said EPA Administrator Michael Regan in a statement.
In contrast to U.S. average annual spending of $300 million to $400 million, Canada committed just $33 million on cleanup between 2017 and 2022. Nine U.S. House members wrote a letter to Biden concerning the investment disparity on March 8.
“We encourage you to highlight the importance of this binational resource, the investments needed to restore and protect the Great Lakes during your official visit to Canada, as well as support for our binational institutions that promote the environmental and economic health of our region,” the House members said.
A 2018 study from the University of Michigan found that every dollar invested on the Great Lakes through the restoration initiative produced an additional average of $3.35 economic activity. The region produces more than 1.3 million jobs, which create $82 billion in annual wages.
“The Great Lakes are a resource both nations share, and it is incumbent on us all to invest in its health and future,” Congressman Brian Higgins said in a statement. “Canada’s commitment, combined with the major investments made by Congress, will deliver economic and environmental returns for generations to come.”
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