Present:
The Prime Minister (Mr. Diefenbaker) in the Chair,
The Minister of Public Works
and Acting Minister of Defence Production (Mr. Green), (for morning meeting only)
The Minister of Veterans Affairs (Mr. Brooks), (for morning meeting only)
The Minister of Transport (Mr. Hees), (for morning meeting only)
The Solicitor General (Mr. Balcer), (for morning meeting only)
The Minister of National Defence (Mr. Pearkes),
The Minister of Trade and Commerce (Mr. Churchill),
The Minister of Justice
and Acting Minister of Citizenship and Immigration (Mr. Fulton),
The Minister of National Revenue (Mr. Nowlan),
The Minister of Agriculture (Mr. Harkness),
The Secretary of State (Mrs. Fairclough),
The Minister of Fisheries (Mr. MacLean),
The Minister of Labour (Mr. Starr), (for morning meeting only)
The Postmaster General (Mr. William Hamilton), (for morning meeting only)
The Minister without Portfolio (Mr. Macdonnell),
The Minister of National Health and Welfare (Mr. Monteith),
The Minister of Northern Affairs and National Resources (Mr. Alvin Hamilton),
The Secretary of State for External Affairs (Mr. Smith),
The Leader of the Government in the Senate (Senator Haig).
The Secretary to the Cabinet (Mr. Bryce),
The Assistant Secretaries to the Cabinet (Mr. Fournier), (Mr. Martin).

POLLUTION OF RAINY RIVER AND LAKE OF THE WOODS; REFERENCE TO INTERNATIONAL JOINT COMMISSION

33. The Secretary of State for External Affairs reported that, in April 1954, the U.S. Embassy had sent a note to the then Secretary of State for External Affairs suggesting that a reference be made to the International Joint Commission directing the commission to make an investigation of alleged pollution of Rainy River in the vicinity of International Falls, Minnesota, and Fort Frances, Ontario, and to submit a report to the two governments with recommendations for remedial measures. In July, 1954, the Province of Ontario was asked to comment on the proposed reference.²⁷¹ Because of a lack of administrative and executive machinery to work towards a solution of the problem, Ontario made no reply. The province had since passed the necessary legislation, established the Ontario Water Resources Commission, and was in a position to act on the report.

In March of this year, the U.S. Embassy sent a note re-affirming the desire of its government to proceed with the suggested reference and mentioning the Lake of the Woods in addition to Rainy River. In April, the Premier of Ontario, having been asked to comment on the further U.S. proposal, replied that his government would welcome a reference to the commission in this matter and pointed out that the reference should extend to pollution arising on both sides of the International Boundary, including that caused by industrial waste.

The Minister recommended that the United States be informed of the agreement in principle of the Canadian government to the proposed reference.

An explanatory memorandum had been circulated, (Minister's memorandum, Oct. 7, 1957 — Cab. Doc. 255-57)†

34. The Cabinet noted the report of the Secretary of State for External Affairs and agreed that the United States be informed of the agreement in principle of the Canadian government that a reference be made to the International Joint Commission, under Article IX of the Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909, directing the commission to make an investigation into the pollution of waters of Rainy River and the Lake of the Woods; it being understood that the reference would extend to pollution arising on both sides of the International Boundary, including that caused by industrial waste.