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International Joint Commission celebrates the Boundary Waters Treaty Centennial

The International Joint Commission and its Boards will be in Niagara Falls, June 11 to June 15, to participate in events celebrating the Boundary Waters Treaty Centennial.

The Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909 provides principles for Canada and the United States to follow in using their shared boundary waters. The treaty established the International Joint Commission (IJC) and the ongoing work of the IJC helps prevent and resolve disputes on issues concerning boundary waters between Canada and the United States.

On Saturday, June 13, 2009, the Niagara Falls will be the backdrop to a historic event to be held on the Rainbow Bridge. The IJC and the Niagara Region’s 10 municipalities are hosting this event to celebrate the centennial of the Boundary Waters Treaty. The Secretary of State of the United States and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, as well as former IJC Commissioners, have been invited to participate in this event. Attending dignitaries will be available to speak the media at the Rainbow Promenade after the event.

IJC Commissioners will also participate in a Canada Post release of a stamp commemorating the centennial o the Treaty on Friday, June 12, as well as other centennial events including a Model IJC Conference by the UN Association, a public meeting on the Review of Restoration Progress in the Niagara Region, a policy workshop on the Lake Twinning initiative, and conferences on Areas of Concern and Connecting Channels in the Great Lakes.

Details of IJC participation in these and others events are listed in the attached backgrounder. More information about the Niagara 10’s community events celebrating the Boundary Waters Treaty is also available at www.oursharedwaters.com.

Contacts
Washington Frank Bevacqua 202-736-9024
Ottawa Bernard Beckhoff 613-947-1420

Backgrounder

Boundary Waters Treaty Centennial Celebration Appearances by IJC Commissioners

Thursday, June 11
3:30pm -4:30pm	Opening Ceremony for Model IJC Conference United Nations Association in Canada Castellani Art Museum, Niagara University, NY Commissioners Sam Speck and Lyall Knott
6:30pm – 9:00pm	Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement Public Meeting Great Lakes Water Quality Board and Great Lakes Science Advisory Board Review of Restoration Progress in the Niagara Region Crowne Plaza Hotel, 300 Third Street, Niagara Falls, NY Commissioners Sam Speck and Pierre Trépanier
Friday, June 12
8:30am-9:30am	Great Lakes Connecting Channels Governance, Ecosystem Science and Management Center for the Arts, University at Buffalo, North Campus, Buffalo, NY Commissioners Herb Gray and Allen Olson
8:30am-9:30am	Great Lakes United Conference Center for the Arts, University at Buffalo, North Campus, Buffalo, NY Commissioners Lyall Knott and Sam Speck
11:00am-12:00pm	IJC Conference, United Nations Association in Canada Dunleavy Hall, Niagara University, NY All Commissioners
4:00pm-5:00pm	IJC - Canada Post Ceremony Table Rock, Great Falls Hall, Niagara Falls, ON 6650 Niagara Parkway, Niagara Falls, Ontario IJC Chairs Herb Gray and Irene Brooks Jim Phillips, Director, Canada Post
Saturday, June 13
9:30 am–11:00 am	Boundary Waters Treaty Centennial Ceremony on the Rainbow Bridge All Commissioners
11:15am	VIP reception / Media Availability Rainbow Bridge Promenade All Commissioners and other dignitaries
12:00pm	Post - Ceremony Reception Oakes Garden Theatre, adjacent to Rainbow Bridge, Niagara Falls, ON Special joint performance by the Niagara Youth Orchestra and Greater Buffalo Youth Orchestra
1:30pm	Presentation by International Holistic Tourism Education Centre of Watershed Peace Pathways 2009 Award Oakes Garden Theatre, adjacent to Rainbow Bridge, Niagara Falls, ON Response: Commissioner Pierre Trépanier
6:00pm	Water Drop Presentation by Scouts and Girl Guides Top of the Falls Restaurant, Niagara Falls, NY Response: Commissioner Allen Olson
6:00pm	Opening of Hard Rock Café Stage Niagara Falls, NY Chair Irene Brooks, Niagara Falls Mayor Paul Dyster, Buffalo Niagara River Keeper Jill Spisiak Jedlicka
7:00pm	Presentation of artwork by Hydro Heroes, members of this youth organization will have bicycled from Toronto as fundraiser for clean water Oakes Garden Theatre, adjacent to Rainbow Bridge, Niagara Falls, ON Response: Commissioner Lyall Knott
Sunday, June 14
9:00am-5:30pm	Lake Twinning Second Policy Workshop North American Great Lakes and African Great Lakes Hilton Hotel, 6361 Fallsview Blvd., Niagara Falls, ON Chair Irene Brooks and Commissioner Pierre Trépanier
Monday, June 15
8:00am-4:00pm	Lake Twinning Second Policy Workshop Chair Irene Brooks and Commissioner Pierre Trépanier