Annual Conference Hamilton, ON 2026
From May 6-8, 2026, we will gather for our next Annual Conference in Hamilton, Ontario, as we explore the development of the Fresh Coast Economic Corridor. The Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative has embarked on an exciting journey to transform our region’s economy with an ambitious bet that we will be the fastest growing region in North America over the next 10 years.
Join more than 300 municipal, Indigenous, industry, and environmental leaders in Hamilton as we chart the next steps to build a dynamic and thriving economic corridor from Lake Superior to the Gulf of the St. Lawrence.
Our vision for the region’s Economic Transformation is one that attracts and retains best-in-class businesses to create 18 million new jobs and a half-million new enterprises, leverages our region’s strategic Hwy H2O maritime corridor, and responsibly taps into our freshwater wealth.
Together, we’ll explore how local governments can anticipate trends and opportunities for building a “water-centered” economy, adapt their community to strengthen local industry and create a dynamic investment environment, and attract the best industries, enterprises, and investments to our region and their community.
Videos
Thursday, May 7 – Opening Ceremony
Resolutions
2026 Resolutions passed by our membership.
Canada
ADVANCING CIRCULAR ECONOMY PRACTICES THROUGH IMPROVED WASTE DIVERSION AND BEVERAGE CONTAINER RECOVERY IN THE GREAT LAKES AND ST. LAWRENCE REGION– A Resolution Submitted by the Town of Tecumseh, ON
STRENGTHENING THE CANADA-UNITED STATES-MEXICO AGREEMENT TO SUPPORT ECONOMIC PROSPERITY ACROSS THE GREAT LAKES AND ST. LAWRENCE RIVER REGION – A Resolution Submitted by the City of St. Catharines, ON
SUPPORTING MODERNIZATION AND AUTOMATION IN GREAT LAKES FRESHWATER FISH PROCESSING – A Resolution Submitted by the Municipality of Chatham-Kent
CALLING FOR FEDERAL LEGISLATION TO DEFINE DRINKING WATER AND WASTEWATER STANDARDS ON FIRST NATION LANDS – A Resolution Submitted by the Anishinabek Nation
APPROVING THE FIRST NATION AND TRIBAL ENGAGEMENT COMMITTEE REPORT – A Resolution Submitted by the Anishinabek Nation
ESTABLISHING AND FUNDING A MUNICIPAL STREAM UNDER THE FRESHWATER ACTION PLAN – A Resolution Submitted by the Township of Archipelago
RECOGNIZING PASSENGER MARINE TRANSPORTATION AS A STRATEGIC DRIVER OF SUSTAINABLE MOBILITY – A Resolution Submitted by the Metropolitan Community of Québec, QC
EXPANDING MARITIME COMMERCE ON THE GREAT LAKES-ST. LAWRENCE SEAWAY – A Resolution Submitted by the City of Hamilton, ON
ADVANCING SWIMMABLE CITIES FOR CURRENT AND FUTURE GENERATIONS – A Resolution Submitted by the City of Cobourg, ON
TREATING WATER AND WASTERWATER INFRASTRUCTURE AS NATIONAL ECONOMIC INFRASTRUCTURE – A Resolution Submitted by the City of Toronto, ON; the City of Mississauga, ON; the Grey County, ON and the Communauté métropolitaine de Québec, QC
United States
REAUTHORIZE EPA’S BROWNFIELD PROGRAM – A Resolution Submitted by the City of Racine, WI
ADVANCING CIRCULAR ECONOMY PRACTICES THROUGH IMPROVED WASTE DIVERSION AND BEVERAGE CONTAINER RECOVERY IN THE GREAT LAKES AND ST. LAWRENCE REGION – A Resolution Submitted by the City of Waukegan, IL
APPROVING THE FIRST NATION AND TRIBAL ENGAGEMENT COMMITTEE REPORT – A Resolution Submitted by the Stockbridge-Munsee Community
EXPANDING MARITIME COMMERCE ON THE GREAT LAKES-ST. LAWRENCE SEAWAY – A Resolution Submitted by the City of Milwaukee, WI
ADVANCING SWIMMABLE CITIES FOR CURRENT AND FUTURE GENERATIONS – A Resolution Submitted by the City of Sheboygan, WI
STRENGTHENING THE UNITED STATES-MEXICO-CANADA AGREEMENT TO SUPPORT ECONOMIC PROSPERITY ACROSS THE GREAT LAKES AND ST. LAWRENCE RIVER REGION – A Resolution Submitted by the City of Sheboygan, WI
MAINTAINING ROBUST MARITIME COMMERCE ACROSS THE GREAT LAKES-ST. LAWRENCE REGION WHILE STRENGTHENING NORTH AMERICAN SHIPBUILDING – A Resolution Submitted by the City of Duluth, MN
MAINTAINING FEDERAL PROTECTION FOR THE WATERS OF THE UNITED STATES – A Resolution Submitted by the City of Muskegon, MI
Annual Declaration
Unlocking the Inland Advantage: The Critical Role of Big Cities in Attracting New Businesses, Driving Job Creation, and Increasing Maritime Commerce
The Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative’s Economic Transformation Action Plan calls for attracting 500,000 new, water-centered industries, creating more than 18 million jobs, and increasing maritime commerce on the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway by 30% over the next decade to create the Fresh Coast Economic Corridor and reinforce our CA$12.72 (US$9.3 trillion) regional economy. This plenary session will bring together big-city mayors to sign a declaration and highlight the critical role of our region’s large metropolitan areas in spurring economic growth and strengthening regional competitiveness while safeguarding our precious freshwater resources.
Featured Speakers
Conference Partners
Our Host City
Nestled on the western tip of the bustling Greater Golden Horseshoe region and along the shores of Lake Ontario, Hamilton offers a compelling blend of industrial heritage, natural beauty, cultural vitality and forward-looking economic strength. Once known primarily for steelmaking, the city has evolved into a dynamic regional hub with a diversified economy—manufacturing still plays a major role, but so do food & beverage processing, creative industries, finance, insurance & real estate, and goods-movement infrastructure.
We encourage you to spend some time and visit our host community. Check out Tourism Hamilton for more information on things to do while you’re in town!
