IJC Announces Re-appointment of the Honourable Benoît Bouchard, P.C., O.C.
The International Joint Commission is very pleased to announce that effective June 21, 2017, the Honourable Benoît Bouchard has been re-appointed by the Government of Canada to serve as part time Commissioner of the IJC’s Canadian Section for a one year term. Mr. Bouchard served with the Commission from June 6th, 2013 to June 5th, 2017.
The Hon. Benoît Bouchard was elected Member of Parliament for Roberval in 1984. Mr. Bouchard served in the Federal Cabinet in several posts from 1986 to 1993 including Minister of Transport, Minister of Industry, Science and Technology and Minister of Health and Welfare. In 1993, he was appointed Ambassador of France. Mr. Bouchard was Chair of the Transportation Safety Board of Canada from 1996 to 2001. Mr. Bouchard has been involved in First Nations issues since 2002 where he served as the representative of the non-Aboriginals in negotiations between Quebec and the Innu Nation of Quebec. Between 2004 and 2010 he served as the Federal Chief Negotiator with the Mamuitun Corporation representing the Innu Nation of Mashteuitash, Natashquan and Essipit.
The International Joint Commission was established under the Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909 to help the United States and Canada prevent and resolve disputes over the use of the waters the two countries share. Its responsibilities include investigating and reporting on issues of concern when asked by the governments of the two countries. For more information, visit the Commission's website at www.ijc.org.
For more information:
Sarah Lobrichon
Ottawa
613-992-5368
Frank Bevacqua
Washington
202-736-9024