Organization Profile - International Niagara Committee

Minister of Environment and Climate Change

The International Niagara Committee was set up by the governments of Canada and the United States by an exchange of notes during January 1955, in accordance with provisions of Article VII of the Niagara Treaty of 1950 between the two countries. The committee reports to Foreign Affairs, Trade, and Development Canada and the State Department in the United States.

The primary functions of the committee are as follows:

• to ascertain, determine, and record the amounts of water available for the purpose of the treaty;
• to record the amounts of water taken from the Niagara River and Welland Ship Canal for hydro-electric power generation by both countries;
• to ensure that the amount of water flowing over Niagara Falls meets the requirements specified in the treaty;
• to investigate, explain, and report on the causes of any treaty violations;
• to inspect the power plants to ensure accurate determination of water diversions.

The Committee consists of 2 members:

• one representative from Canada appointed by the Governor in Council
• one representative from the United States (the Division Engineer with rank of Brig. General of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers serves as the U.S. member).