Annual Meeting Montréal, QC 2024

Gathering under the theme of Economic Transformation: Tapping into Water for Sustainable Prosperity, this year’s Annual Conference in beautiful Montréal, QC, was a tremendous success, with more than 230 guests joining us to discuss the historic opportunity to transform the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River Basin into a thriving blue-green economic corridor while safeguarding our precious freshwater resources.

As our members know, the basin forms the largest freshwater ecosystem in the world, providing drinking water to more than 40 million people and serving as the foundation of our communities’ economic prosperity. Collectively, basin communities comprise the world’s third largest economy, generating $6 trillion in economic output annually. However, maintaining our status as a global economic powerhouse and protecting our fresh water amid a changing climate requires a bold new vision and dedicated, multinational leadership to foster sustainable, inclusive, and resilient economic development for the benefit of current and future generations.

We were proud to take a first step on this journey toward a blue-green economic corridor with the establishment of the Mayors Commission on Economic Transformation. This commission will lead the development and implementation of the Action Plan for the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Economic Transformation, 2025-2035.

Thank you to everyone who made this conference a resounding success, including our hosts, members, staff, speakers, partners and countless others. I want to take a moment to thank the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation as our Presenting Partner for the event. I also want to recognize our two co-chairs – Mayor Gino Moretti of Saint-Anicet, QC, and Mayor Ryan Sorenson of Sheboygan, WI – for their steadfast leadership in an important moment in our organization’s history. We look forward to our ongoing collaboration to transform the basin into a thriving blue-green economic corridor – all while preserving the freshwater ecosystem that makes our region one of the most vibrant and dynamic places on the planet!

Find here, the 2024 Resolutions passed by our membership.

TRANSFORMING THE GREAT LAKES AND ST. LAWRENCE RIVER BASIN INTO A THRIVING BLUE-GREEN ECONOMIC CORRIDOR WHILE SAFEGUARDING OUR FRESHWATER RESOURCES – A Resolution Submitted by the city of Montréal, QC

ACCELERATING LEAD SERVICE LINE REPLACEMENT IN GREAT LAKES BIG CITIES – A Resolution Submitted by Milwaukee, WI

CLOSING THE DRINKING-WATER INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING GAP THROUGH ROBUST FEDERAL INVESTMENTS IN THE DRINKING WATER STATE REVOLVING FUND – A Resolution Submitted by Mount Vernon, NY

CALLING FOR INCREASED FUNDING IN FUTURE PROOF WATER INFRASTRUCTURE FOR THRIVING COMMUNITIES – A Resolution Submitted by Candiac, QC

IMPROVING KNOWLEDGE OF THE CONSEQUENCES OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND COASTAL PROTECTION IN THE GREAT LAKES AND ST. LAWRENCE RIVER BASIN – A Resolution Submitted by Contrecœur, QC

SUPPORTING THE GREAT LAKES RESTORATION INITIATIVE ACT OF 2024 – A Resolution Submitted by the City of Sheboygan, WI

SECURING DEDICATED FUNDING TO ADDRESS SHORE RESILIENCY AFFECTED BY CLIMATE-RELATED INFRASTRUCTURE DAMAGE – A Resolution Submitted by Municipality of Chatham-Kent, ON

ENHANCING PASSENGER CONNECTIVITY AND MOBILITY ACROSS THE GREAT LAKES
AND ST. LAWRENCE RIVER BASIN – A Resolution Submitted by the City of St. Catharines, ON, and Repentigny, QC

URGING IMMEDIATE ACTION TO ADVANCE THE BRANDON ROAD INTERBASIN PROJECT AND PREVENT THE SPREAD OF INVASIVE CARP INTO THE GREAT LAKES – A Resolution Submitted by the Cities of North Chicago, Waukegan and Zion, IL

INCENTIVIZING EFFORTS TO REDUCE SINGLE-USE PLATICS POLLUTION AND ENCOURAGE FRESHWATER STEWARDSHIP – A Resolution Submitted by the Township of the Archipelago, ON

SUPPORTING THE PROPOSED PASSENGER RAIL LINK BETWEEN TORONTO AND CHICAGO BY CONNECTING DETROIT, MI AND WINDSOR, ON – A Resolution Submitted by the City of Detroit, MI

EMPOWERING THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE ST. LAWRENCE AND GREAT LAKES TRANSPORT NETWORK TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF A BLUE ECONOMY – A Resolution Submitted by the Communauté Métropolitaine de Québec (CMQuébec), QC

ENSURING ADEQUATE RESOURCES AND PROMOTING THE RESILIENCE OF COMMUNITIES ALONG THE ST. LAWRENCE RIVER – A Resolution Submitted by the Communauté Métropolitaine de Québec (CMQuébec), QC

Each year, more than 150 attendees – including members of the Cities Initiative and industry and government leaders – gather around a key topic of interest to the basin and our communities. This year, we are focusing on Economic Transformation.  

At this conference, we will look at how we can harness our advantage as a region built around the largest reserve of fresh water in the world to drive clean and durable economic transformation in this vital trade corridor. We will also examine how to leverage global climate action to attract new investment opportunities to the basin and assure the health of our freshwater for future generations and sustainable prosperity.  

We will cover four subthemes relating to economic transformation. For each of these four subthemes, there will be one plenary session and two concurrent breakout sessions. Attendees will attend the breakout sessions of their choice: 

• Industry Transformation – The Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River Basin forms the largest freshwater ecosystem in the world, providing drinking water to more than 40 million people and serving as the foundation of our region’s economic prosperity. The basin is also home to legacy and emerging environmental issues that threaten to undermine water quality and our communities’ health. Bringing more sustainable businesses to the basin and improving existing industries’ environmental stewardship can create new opportunities while safeguarding our precious freshwater resources. These sessions will examine how local governments can attract private investments in emerging industries, create hubs for climate and water innovation and increase adoption of sustainable business practices to support the economic transformation of the basin from North America’s industrial heartland into a world-leading green and blue economic corridor. 

• Energy Transformation – Adopting clean and renewable energy is key to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and building more livable and sustainable communities. The energy transition is also essential to the continued vitality of our regional economy. As the basin economy and population continue to grow, so will the demands on energy infrastructure, all amid a changing climate. Failure to adapt, modernize and electrify existing energy systems threatens the reliability of our grid, with dire consequences for public services and ability to develop our economy. These sessions will explore pathways for local governments to transform their local energy systems with regional utilities and emerging providers and provide safer more resilient public services and draw green business to the basin.    

• Waterfront Transformation – With a changing climate and growth of the basin’s population and economy, waterfronts offer both opportunities for redevelopment and hazards for people and property. Basin communities are increasingly leveraging their proximity to our lakes and rivers with the redevelopment of industrial areas to enable new economic activity, attract business investment and create unique places for residents to live, work and play. At the same time, increased risks and hazards along our shorelines call for adaptative measures to protect these natural and built environments. Future-proof waterfronts that are the focal point of cities should be resilient, weaving mixed-use developments to create accessible, thriving and diverse economic centres. These sessions will address the decisive role of local governments in designing, planning and zoning their waterfronts to foster inclusivity, prosperity and climate-preparedness.    

• Transportation Transformation – Driven by challenges in global supply chains, the race to decarbonize industries and preparing for a changing climate, governments across Canada and the United States are actively implementing sustainable transportation strategies that leverage our freshwater resources and expand multi-modal transportation and mobility. Meanwhile, the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River shipping and cruise tourism industries are seeking to expand their operations in our region. These sessions will delve into the role local governments can play in leveraging the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway and our waterways to generate new opportunities to support green shipping, cruise tourism and the sustainable movement of goods and people throughout the basin.  

From Industrial Heartland to a Blue-Green Economic Corridor –  Transforming the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River Basin,  View Pledge.

Three big city mayors – Mayor Valérie Plante of Montréal, QC; Mayor Brandon Johnson of Chicago, IL and Mayor Cavalier Johnson of Milwaukee, WI – joined us at the conference to launch this important work by signing a pledge committing their cities to collaborate closely with the Cities Initiative to promote the basin’s economic transformation. The pledge was also signed by Mayor Olivia Chow of Toronto, ON; Mayor Justin M. Bibb of Cleveland, OH; Mayor Bruno Marchand of Québec City, QC and Mayor Mike Duggan of Detroit, MI. We circulated a press release on the pledge and issued a video news release, with the pledge and the broader conference garnering coverage in approximately 30 media outlets in Canada and the United States.

View Cities Initiative – 2024 Annual Conference – Official Program

Confirmed Speakers:

• Jean Aubry-Morin, Vice-President, St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation
• Guy Caron, Mayor, Rimouski, QC
• Vanessa Cherenfant, Chief Strategy Officer, VIA Rail
• David Cohen, U.S. Ambassador to Canada
• Katie Dailinger, Project Director, Local Infrastructure Hub, National League of Cities
• Martin Damphousse, Mayor, Varennes (QC) and President, Québec Union of Municipalities
• Andrea Denshem, Senior Strategic Advisor, Alliance for the Great Lakes
• Dominique Dodier, Director General, EnviroCompétences
• Philippe Dubé, Chief Officer for Partners Relations, Montreal Metropolitan Transport Agency
• Dr. Ursula Eicker, Canada Excellence Research Chair in Smart, Sustainable and Resilient Communities and Cities at Concordia University
• Mark Fisher, CEO, Council of the Great Lakes Region
• Yvonne Hamlin, Mayor, Collingwood, ON
• Alaina Harkness, Executive Director, Current
• Céline Haytayan, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of International Relations and La Francophonie, Government of Québec
• Alexis Laverdiere, Environmental Sustainability Program Manager, Environmental Collaboration Office (ECO), Milwaukee, WI
• Olivier Legault, Director and Urban Planner, Rues Principales
• Sophie Lemire, Executive Director, Comité ZIP des Seigneuries
• Scott MacDougall, Program Director, Electricity, Pembina Institute
• Patrick Madahbee, Commissioner on Governance, Anishinabek Nation
• Cory Mason, Mayor, Racine, WI
• Gary McNamara, Mayor, Town of Tecumseh, ON
• Eddie Melton, Mayor, City of Gary, IN
• Maguessa Morel-Laforce, Director of Government Relations, Chamber of Marine Commerce
• Samantha Nellis, Water Program Director, Huron Pines
• Sarah E. O’Keeffe, Director, Sustainability & Climate Justice, Mayor’s Office of Sustainability, City of Cleveland, Ohio
• Hugues Paris, Vice-President, Sustainable Development, Port of Québec City
• Patrick Péloquin, Mayor, Sorel-Tracy, QC
• Gregg Ruhl, President and Chief Executive Officer, Algoma Central Corporation
• Emily Simonson, Director of Strategic Initiatives, U.S. Water Alliance
• Jeffry Scharf, Associate Administrator, St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation
• William Steele, Mayor, Port Colborne, ON
• Christopher Sweetman-Holmes, Senior Director, Canadian Lands Company
• Véronique Trudeau, Program Manager, Green Marine
• Catherine Vallières-Roland, Deputy Mayor, Québec City, QC
• Maja Vodanovic, Borough Mayor (Lachine) and Execuitve Committee Member Responsible for Water, Montréal, QC

Marriott Montréal Château Champlain – Our room block is closed.  Please call the Marriott Château Champlain at 514-878-9000 (local) or at 1-800-200-5909 (toll-free for Canada and USA) to check availability.

Marriott Montréal Château Champlain
1050 Rue De la Gauchetière O | Montréal, QC H3B 4C9
Check-in:  4:00pm | Check-out:  12:00pm | Smoke Free Property
On-Site Parking – Daily: $29
Off-Site Parking – 1000 de la Gauchetière ouest (Indigo Parking) 0.1 KM
Valet – Daily: $45
View Hotel

Partner with the Cities Initiative to make our 2024 annual conference our best yet. Through your contribution, you will also support our mission to advance the environmental, economic and social health of communities across the basin.  You can contribute according to the suggested levels outlined below so that it best corresponds to your budget and objectives.

BENEFITS OF PARTNERING WITH OUR ANNUAL CONFERENCE

• Connect with 250+ mayors and 1,000+ contacts in local government; federal, state and provincial agencies; nonprofits and industries across the basin
• Access thought leaders and industry champions in green and water-based industries
• Gain visibility with an audience of 150+ municipal and industry leaders, freshwater champions and government officials through marketing and speaking opportunities at the conference and beyond
• Work with our team to host side events and coordinate bilateral meetings with attendees
• Demonstrate your commitment to sustainable development and protecting our freshwater resources for the benefit of future generations

View Annual Conference Partnership Guide

Waterfront in downtown Montreal at twilight.

A striking union of European and North American cultures, Montréal seduces visitors with a wonderful pairing of history, beautiful architecture and exquisite fine dining and entertainment.

The island of Montréal was originally a diplomatic trading area for regional First Nations: the Atikamekw to the north, the Anishinaabe (Algonquin) to the west and the Kanien’kehá:ka (Mohawk), part of the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, to the south.

During the 16th century, the first French settlers arrived at the shores of this island, followed by the English, the Scottish and the Irish. Today, more than 3.6 million people representing over 120 distinct ethnic communities have come to call Montréal home.

The world’s second largest francophone city after Paris, Montréal is a cosmopolitan centre with proud roots in the past and an enthusiastic embrace of the future.

Whether strolling in the Old Port, around the city’s many distinct neighbourhoods or up Mount Royal, where the city derives its name, there is no shortage of things to do during your stay in Montréal.

Come discover all that the Francophone Metropolis of the Americas has to offer!  Visit the Montréal Tourism website.

We are very excited to welcome you to the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative 2024 Annual Conference, taking place May 15-17 in Montréal at the Marriott Château Champlain (1050 de la Gauchetière St W).

CONFERENCE APP

In the spirit of being environmentally friendly, all conference materials including the full agenda will be housed on our conference app, Event Cadence.  You will be receiving an email from Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative noreply@eventcadence.com which includes information on how to log into the conference platform.  You are strongly encouraged to download the app on your phone (search for the above logo in the Apple App Store or Google Play). Once downloaded, check back often for agenda updates and see who else is attending and begin networking with fellow members and guests.

SIMULATENOUS INTERPRETATION
Given our audience will include both English and French speakers, we have secured a professional simultaneous interpretation service. For all of our plenary sessions, we will be providing headsets on location. For certain breakout sessions, simultaneous interpretation will be offered via the Zoom app. For those sessions using Zoom for interpretation, attendees will want to (1) have the Zoom app downloaded on your smartphone in advance; and (2) have your own ear buds or headphones that connect to your phone with you.  Please pack and prepare accordingly.

ATTIRE
Attire for the majority of the conference is business casual. Like most large conference centers, a light sweater is recommended to have available during the day as meeting room temperatures can get chilly. If you are participating in the tours on Friday afternoon, please make sure to wear closed toe flat-sole shoes and casual attire.

CONFERENCE HOTEL
Marriott Montréal Château Champlain
1050 Rue De la Gauchetière O | Montréal, QC H3B 4C9
Check-in:  4:00pm | Check-out:  12:00pm | Smoke Free Property
View Hotel

PARKING
On-Site Parking – Daily: $32
Valet – Daily: $46

Off-Site Parking – 1000 de la Gauchetière Ouest (Indigo Parking) 0.1 KM

TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS TO/FROM CONFERENCE HOTEL
Montreal-Trudeau International Airport
Distance From Property: 14.0 KM
Airport Phone Number: +1 514-394-7377
Visit Website

• Taxis and Ubers are available at the airport.
• Sedan limo service booked through the hotel concierge; fee: $145 CAD (one way); reservation required. concierge@chateauchamplain.com

Other Transportation Hubs Near the Hotel
Subway Station:
Bonaventure Metro Station

Train Station:
Central Station – Via Rail, Amtrak, Agence Metropolitaine de transport (AMT) Commuter Train

Bus Station:
Gare d’autocars de Montreal

EDUCATIONAL TOURS
We are offering two educational tour options on Friday, May 17 from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM. We have limited space on these tours, and they will be offered on a first come first served basis. If you indicated interest in participating in the tours when registering, you will be receiving an email to sign up for the tour of your choice. If you would like to participate in the tours, but did not indicate it when registering, please contact Kyle Hills for more information.

CANCELLATIONS
At this stage, we are unable to accommodate any refunds. If you cannot attend, we encourage you to transfer your registration.  Please call 312.201.4518 to transfer your registration.

MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR TIME IN MONTRÉAL!
A striking union of European and North American cultures, Montréal seduces visitors with a wonderful pairing of history, beautiful architecture and exquisite fine dining and entertainment.

The world’s second largest francophone city after Paris, Montréal is a cosmopolitan centre with proud roots in the past and an enthusiastic embrace of the future.

Whether strolling in the Old Port, around the city’s many distinct neighbourhoods or up Mount Royal, where the city derives its name, there is no shortage of things to do during your stay in Montréal.

Come discover all that the Francophone Metropolis of the Americas has to offer!

Check out what Montréal has to offer

QUESTIONS?
Please do not hesitate to contact the Cities Initiative at any time.

Kyle Hills
Executive Assistant
T: 312.201.4518
admin@glslcities.org

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