St. Lawrence Plan
For a Sustainable Development
Phase IV – 2005-2010
After 15 years of action and collaboration to protect, conserve and enhance the St Lawrence River, the governments of Canada and Québec as well as their partners are resolutely moving toward developing an increasingly integrated management approach.
Objective
Contribute to a sustainable development that promotes ecological integrity, environmentally responsible economic activities, community commitment and informed, concerted and integrated governance of the St. Lawrence.
A unique ecosystem
The St. Lawrence River, a major gateway to the heart of North America that has played an essential role in the continent’s development for several centuries, is over 3000 kilometres long. The St. Lawrence is fed by many tributaries, but its main source is the five immense bodies of water located in the heart of the largest and most populous industrial zone in North America: the Great Lakes. These reservoirs flow into a river that widens into three lakes, then turns into a broad freshwater tidal estuary, which expands and becomes brackish (Middle Estuary), then salty (Maritime Estuary), before emptying into an ocean-like gulf. More than 300 tributaries drain into the St. Lawrence. Despite the enormous human-induced environmental pressures of all kinds weighing down on it, the river’s immense ecosystem survives thanks to a complex balancing act.
The St. Lawrence ecosystem is not only home to numerous species; it is also an important source of drinking water and other resources for people living within it. Furthermore, it is a commercial and recreational waterway and a unique place for carrying out various activities, such as sport and commercial fishing, the harvesting of shellfish and crustaceans, hunting, swimming, ecotourism and water sports. The continuation and development of these activities are major issues for the users of the St. Lawrence.
The complexity of the St. Lawrence ecosystem gives an idea of the difficulties linked with its preservation and valorization. Such a project requires the commitment of the highest possible number of stakeholders working toward a common vision.
The ultimate challenge: conciliate environment and development
Since 1989, the agreements reached between the governments of Canada and Québec initially dealt with major sources of pollution and contamination of the St. Lawrence. Then collaboration between governments concentrated on protecting biodiversity and ecosystem health. Subsequent phases targeted agriculture and, more recently, navigation, a concern of several riverside communities.
The St. Lawrence Plan (SLP), arising from the Canada–Québec Agreement on the St. Lawrence, 2005–2010, embraces a sustainable development perspective in which environmental, economic and social issues are inextricably linked. This plan is based on the concepts of ecological integrity, environmentally responsible economic activities, community commitment and informed, concerted and integrated governance of the St. Lawrence.
Building on achievements
After 15 years of action and collaboration, the departments and organizations involved have decided to share their integrated management expertise to increase consistency and complementarity and therefore become more effective. As far as expertise goes, the Government of Québec has adopted the Québec Water Policy, one of whose commitments is to achieve integrated management of the St. Lawrence and priority watersheds. For its part, the Government of Canada has launched Ecosystem Initiatives, Canada’s Oceans Strategy and the Policy and Operational Framework for Integrated Management of Estuarine, Coastal and Marine Environments in Canada. The time has now come to combine all these efforts and achievements to ensure that all development is planned in an integrated manner with respect for the St. Lawrence ecosystem.
The St. Lawrence River is for everyone
The St. Lawrence Plan is testimony to its partners’ strong desire to respect the St. Lawrence ecosystem, however it is used. After devoting years to protecting, conserving and enhancing the St. Lawrence ecosystem, the partners have been able to develop a shared vision based on a more integrated management approach that fosters active public participation.
The St. Lawrence Plan for a Sustainable Development is a major step toward the joint management of an ambitious future project: The St. Lawrence River is for Everyone.
Management mechanisms
The management mechanisms of the Canada–Québec Agreement pertaining to the St. Lawrence, 2005–2010 governing the St. Lawrence Plan were put in place to ensure that its objectives and expected results would be achieved. These mechanisms are aimed at improving effectiveness and consistency in decision-making, communicating with the public and accountability.
Date modified: 2010/01/21 – Important Notices
