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Exchange of Notes relating to the Great Lakes - St. Lawrence Basin between Canada and the United States of America [1940] CATSer 6 (14 October 1940)

E103607 - CTS 1940 No. 11

EXCHANGE OF NOTES RELATING TO THE GREAT LAKES-ST. LAWRENCE BASIN BETWEEN CANADA AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

I

The United States Secretary of State to the Canadian Minister in Washington

October 14, 1940

Sir:

I have the honor to refer to the conversations which have taken place recently between officials of the Governments of the United States and Canada in regard to the desirability of taking immediate steps looking to the early development of certain portions of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Basin project. These conversations have indicated that there is apprehension in both countries over the possibility of a power shortage; these apprehensions have been heightened by the necessity for increased supplies of power in consequence of Canada’s war effort and of the major national defense effort in the United States.

In the light of these considerations the Government of the United States proposes that each Government appoint forthwith a Temporary Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Basin Committee consisting of not more than five members. These two Committees would co-operate in preliminary engineering and other investigations for that part of the project which is located in the International Rapids Section of the St. Lawrence River, in order that the entire project may be undertaken without delay when final decision is reached by the two Governments. The Government of the United States is prepared to advance the necessary funds up to $1,000,000 to pay for these preliminary engineering and other investigations, on the understanding that their cost shall ultimately be prorated by agreement between the two Governments.

Meanwhile, to assist in providing an adequate supply of power to meet Canadian defense needs and contingent upon the Province of Ontario’s agreeing to provide immediately for diversions into the Great Lakes System of waters from the Albany River Basin which normally flow into Hudson Bay, the Government of the United States will interpose no objection, pending the conclusion of a final Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Basin agreement between the two countries, to the immediate utilization for power at Niagara Falls by the Province of Ontario of additional waters equivalent in quantity to the diversions into the Great Lakes Basin above referred to.

I shall be glad if you will let me know if your Government is in accord with the foregoing proposals.

Accept, Sir, etc.

for the Secretary of State

Adolf A. Berle, Jr.

II

The Canadian Minister in Washington to the United States Secretary of State

October 14, 1940

No. 316

Sir:

I have the honour to refer to your note of October 14, in which you proposed that the Governments of Canada and the United States take immediate steps looking to the early development of certain portions of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Basin project.

I am instructed to inform you that the Canadian Government is in accord with the proposals which you have made.

I have, etc.

Loring C. Christie

III

The Canadian Minister in Washington to the United States Secretary of State

October 31, 1940

No. 340

Sir:

I have the honour to refer to the third paragraph of your note of October 14, concerning the Great Lakes-St Lawrence Basin project, in which you state that to assist in providing an adequate supply of power to meet Canadian defence needs and contingent upon the Province of Ontario’s agreeing to provide immediately for diversions into the Great Lakes System of waters from the Albany River Basin which normally flow into Hudson Bay, the Government of the United States would interpose no objection, pending the conclusion of a final Great Lakes-St Lawrence Basin Agreement between the two countries, to the immediate utilization for power at Niagara Falls by the Province of Ontario of additional waters equivalent in quantity to the diversions into the Great Lakes Basin above referred to.

I am instructed to inform you that the Canadian Government has received appropriate assurances that the Hydro-Electric Power Commission of Ontario is prepared to proceed immediately with the Long Lac-Ogoki diversions and that this action has been approved by the Government of the Province.

The Canadian Government is therefore giving appropriate instructions to authorize the additional diversion of 5,000 cubic feet per second at Niagara by the Hydro-Electric Power Commission of Ontario.

I have, etc.

Loring C. Christie

IV

The United States Secretary of State to the Canadian Minister in Washington

November 7, 1940

Sir:

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Note No. 340 of October 31, 1940, stating that the Hydro-Electric Power Commission of Ontario is prepared to proceed immediately with the Long Lac-Ogoki diversions of waters from the Albany River Basin into the Great Lakes System and that this action has been approved by the Government of the Province.

I note also that the Canadian Government is giving appropriate instructions to authorize the additional diversion of 5,000 cubic feet per second of water at Niagara Falls by the Hydro-Electric Power Commission of Ontario.

Accept, Sir, etc.

for the Secretary of State

A. A. Berle, Jr.