Michigan and neighbouring states should stand up for Canada — and the Great Lakes

For more than 100 years, the United States and Canada have benefitted from a peaceful 5,500-mile (or 8,900-kilometre) border and co-operation on many issues of common concern. Michigan has benefitted from this relationship and without Canada, restoration efforts in the Great Lakes would not have begun in the 1970s to transform the region’s Rust Belt legacy of industrial pollution.

Michigan officials, and those of the seven other Great Lakes states, are fully aware of this history, so it is puzzling that they’ve been silent in the wake of a stream of suggestions by President Donald Trump that Canada should become the 51st state. 

These insulting pronouncements have awakened the anger of Canadians

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for understandable reasons. Those who care about the Great Lakes should be similarly concerned. Partnerships like the one between the United States and Canada are uncommon in the rest of the world.

The partnership rests on a respectful coexistence. This has led to joint efforts to restore native species, block invasive species, control nutrient and toxic pollution of the Great Lakes and many other pressing concerns.

Three agreements illustrate the strength of this partnership in the past. The 1909 Boundary Waters Treaty commits the United States and Canada to peacefully resolve their differences over boundary waters concerns. This has led to joint fact-finding, resolution and prevention of water conflicts across our shared border for more than a century.

The 1972 Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement between the U.S. and Canada, which has been renewed several times, is widely credited with helping guide the restoration of the Great Lakes. From one U.S. administration to another over the last 53 years, whether Republican or Democratic, this agreement has held strong and has led to continuous efforts on behalf of these precious waters. They have kept the faith. Canadians have been a partner in all these efforts under the agreement. 

The Great Lakes Compact of 2008 unites the eight U.S. states and two Canadian provinces in banning most water diversions outside the Great Lakes watershed. It is supplemented by a parallel agreement with Ontario and Quebec that fosters improved water conservation and stewardship.

Michigan has a special reason to be a strong partner with Canada in addition to a common boundary on four of the five Great Lakes. The new Gordie Howe bridge spanning the Detroit River has been paid for exclusively by Canadians. It would not have happened without Canadians. Their repayment seems to be a barrage of attacks from the White House.

There is a great deal of unfinished business left in Great Lakes protection. The Lakes face convulsive pressures from climate change, microplastics and other threats. The best way to handle those issues is through a strong and continuing partnership with Canada and Canadians.

Rather than threaten the sovereignty of Canada, our government should be increasing its investment in protecting the Great Lakes. Our state officials, governors and others should be speaking out against the rash rhetoric that Canada should give up its independence to become an appendage of the United States. 

That would be bad for Canada and the U.S., and disastrous for the Great Lakes.