ABSTRACTThis is a review paper describing the history of glacier mass balance and runoff studies in Canada, evaluating the accomplishments and recommending some areas for future research and development.The diversity of the projects and the fact that many of them have evolved in purpose during their history is emphasized. Most projects have had a short duration and the International Hydro- logical Decade activities have had a profound influence on glacier studies in general.There have been considerable achievements in the collection and anlysis of data both in mass balance and in glacier runoff. Developments in technology (in computing, surveying and satellite techniques) have had a great impact on both the types of data collection and analysis.Recommendations for future research and development focus on the need for better runoff models for large, integrated mountain basins.