This report focuses on the role and actions of the federal governments (with a particular emphasis on the Canadian government), the Binational Executive Committee, and the International Joint Commission. The report is viewed principally through the lens of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, an historic pollution prevention document signed by Canada and the United States. The authors call for the two governments to reinvigorate leadership on clean-up and protection through the present review and possible renegotiation of the Agreement, and to fully involve the public throughout this process.