Modernization of the Columbia River Treaty

Cathy English Interview – Columbia River Treaty (captions available in both French and English). Enjoy this video with an English transcript.

In 2024, 60 years after the Treaty was ratified, the flood control provisions of the Treaty change substantially.

This change motivated both countries to consider what to do. In 2011 to 2013 the B.C. government and the US entities responsible for the Treaty conducted separate Reviews to decide whether to continue, revise, or terminate the Treaty.

As part of the modernization process, the B.C. Review included extensive consultation with First Nations and residents, something that had not happened in the 1960s. Local governments in the area banded together to work with the province to ensure the voices of residents and local governments are heard about the future of the Treaty.

Kate Borucz Interview – Modernization of the Columbia River Treaty (captions available in both French and English). Enjoy this video with an English transcript.

Both B.C. and the US Regional Entities decided the Treaty should be revised and modernized, with a continued focus on flood control and power generation. Ecosystem function, increased flexibility to account for climate change, and other river uses are all being considered.

Bill Green Interview – Modernization of the Columbia River Treaty & Environment (captions available in both French and English). Enjoy this video with an English transcript.

In December 2017, Global Affairs Canada and the US State Department jointly announced the start of international negotiations.

Canada’s negotiating team includes B.C. representatives. Under the terms of the B.C.-Canada agreement from the 1960s, the province manages the Treaty water. The Canadian team invited First Nations to sit at the table as equal contributors to the process. Negotiations to address the complexity of the system and the broad range of expectations and concerns are ongoing.

The Columbia River basin was irrevocably changed by the Columbia River Treaty.

Those who were directly affected by the changes had no voice. Today, the voices of the land are loud and clear. The people who live in the basin believe they must be heard and respected as the Treaty is renegotiated.

Cathy English Interview – Future of the Columbia (captions available in both French and English). Enjoy this video with an English transcript.