Starting today through Friday, April 3, 2026, the comment period is open for the public to share their perspectives on Great Lakes water quality with the International Joint Commission (IJC).

The online platform GLperspectives.ijc.org offers options for registered users to submit written, audio, or video comments and includes details for the IJC’s listening session at the upcoming Great Lakes Public Forum and series of virtual public meetings. Registration to submit comments is required, free, and open to the public.

Canada and the United States work together through the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement to keep the Great Lakes clean and healthy. As an independent advisor to the governments of Canada and the United States, the IJC is responsible under the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement to assess the governments’ progress towards the Agreement’s goals for drinkable, fishable, swimmable Great Lakes.

Every three years, Canada and the United States publish self-report cards on their activities and the status of the lakes. The Canada Water Agency and the US Environmental Protection Agency will discuss the latest State of the Great Lakes Report and Progress Report of the Parties at their Great Lakes Public Forum on February 4 and 5, 2026, online and at the USEPA Great Lakes National Program Office in Chicago, Illinois.

For more on the governments’ Public Forum, visit binational.net.

Input on governments’ progress from the public and First Nations, Métis and Tribal communities is another crucial aspect of the IJC’s assessment. The IJC listens to feedback from the public and Indigenous communities, synthesizes comments, and uses that input to help inform recommendations to the Canadian and US governments. The IJC’s assessment and recommendations will be summarized in its Fourth Triennial Assessment of Progress (TAP) report.

In addition to submitting written, audio or video comments to the GLperspectives.ijc.org platform, the IJC is hosting events for participants to comment on the Canadian and US governments’ progress report.

Visit GLperspectives.ijc.org for registration and details on these activities in 2026, including:

• February 5: IJC listening session at the Great Lakes Public Forum (Chicago, IL and online: visit binational.net.
• February 19: “Many Perspectives: Why sharing your stories helps the IJC assess Canada-US Great Lakes water quality progress” (bilingual English and French), 6 pm ET broadcast on GLperspectives.ijc.org.
• Public Input Webinar Series (register at: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_oWFdJH7HQB6NKvDiz-Y06w):
  • February 24, 6 pm ET: Perspectives on Working with Great Lakes Fish
  • February 25, 11:30 am ET: Perspectives on Working with Algal Blooms in the Great Lakes
  • March 11, 11:30 am ET: Perspectives on Engaging with the Great Lakes Coasts
  • March 24, 6 pm ET: Perspectives on Restoration in Great Lakes Communities
  • March 25, 11:30 am ET: Perspectives on Engaging in Great Lakes Participatory Science