Message from Chair Walter Sendzik to our 2021 AGM Attendees

On behalf of our organization, I would like to thank you for being a part of  this year’s Annual General Meeting (AGM).  Your continued partnership and support are extremely valuable.

By lending your voice to the cause of strengthening the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River, both environmentally and economically, you have helped us move the ball forward on a number of important initiatives.

This year’s AGM was a tremendous success. Close to 200 participants joined us for two days of sessions representing communities in Ontario, Quebec and the United States. Our speakers included Erin Brockovich, former Prime Minister Mulroney, Administrator Regan from the U.S. EPA and many more.

This year’s theme, “Climate Change-2021 and Beyond, Preparing our Communities for the Future”, was well received.  Many mayors commented on how useful our programming was in their efforts to prepare for the impacts of climate change.

Thank you again for your help in this endeavor.

Sincerely,

Mayor Walter Sendzik, St. Catharines, Ontario
Chair, The Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative

Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative concludes highly successful virtual annual meeting

CHICAGO, August 26, 2021 — The Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative’s two-day virtual meeting concluded today, seeing record attendance from regional Mayors, and impactful presentations from a number of governmental and environmental leaders.  Read more.

View Speaker Lineup and Agenda

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS:

	Erin Brockovich, Environmental Activist
	Dick Durbin, U.S. Senator – IL, Senate Majority Whip
	Brian Mulroney, Former Prime Minister of Canada
	David Piccini, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
	Michael Regan, Administrator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Guest Speakers:

Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-Illinois)	The Honourable Chantal Rouleau, M.N.A. Minister for Transport	Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-Michigan)
Polly Trottenberg Deputy Secretary USDOT	Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-Michigan)	Elizabeth Hendriks Vice President WWF-Canada
Congressman Bill Huizenga (R-Michigan)	Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio)	David Miller Former Mayor of Toronto

*The following breakout sessions will be presented concurrently and recorded.

DAY ONE

BREAKOUT SESSION ONE:

Understanding Climate Change – Physical Changes in the Region Over the Next Century

Description: The world will inevitably be impacted by climate change throughout the century. What exactly will these physical changes look like for the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence region? Hear from regional experts about how weather events, temperature trends, and lake levels will change over the next century.

Moderator: Mayor Sandra Easton – Town of Lincoln, ON

Presentation Topics & Guest Speakers:

Understanding Climate Change Across the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River Basin
Dr. Brent Lofgren – Physical Scientist
NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Lab
View Presentation

Understanding Lake Level Changes
Dr. Andrew Gronewold – Associate Professor of Ecosystem Science and Management
University of Michigan
View Presentation

Understanding Shoreline Behaviour and Erosion
Dr. John Johnston – Lecturer and Coastal Geoscientist
University of Waterloo (Earth and Environmental Sciences)
View Presentation

Prepare Now or Pay Later: Guidelines to Limit Home and Community Level Flood Risk
Dr. Blair Feltmate – Head of the Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation
University of Waterloo
View Presentation

Q&A SESSION WITH SPEAKERS

BREAKOUT SESSION TWO:

Understanding Climate Change – Regional Impacts and Threats Over the Next Century

Description: The physical impacts of climate change will have repercussions on our communities, ecosystems, and economies. What will these impacts and threats look like for Great Lakes and St. Lawrence communities? Learn about the ways your community could be impacted by climate change including effects on water quality, wildlife, and infrastructure.

Moderator: Mayor George Pandaleon – Lake Forest, IL

Presentation Topics & Guest Speakers:

Climate Change Impacts on Runoff and Water Quality
Charlie Lalonde – Project Coordinator
Thames River Phosphorus Reduction Collaborative
View Presentation

Climate Change Impacts on Fish and Wildlife
Dr. Len Hunt – Human Dimensions Research Scientist
Ontario Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry
View Presentation

Climate Change Impacts on Our Communities
Dr. Gail Krantzberg – Program Lead & Professor; M.Eng. Engineering and Public Policy
McMaster University
View Presentation

Q&A SESSION WITH SPEAKERS

DAY TWO

BREAKOUT SESSION ONE:

Planning for the Future – Adapting to the Physical Impacts of Climate Change

Description: Climate change will have lasting impacts on physical infrastructure and our shorelines. It will be critical for communities to plan for these changes and rebuild in more resilient ways. Hear from experts on ways your community can plan for, and adapt to, the physical impacts of climate change.

Moderator: Mayor Jerome Prince – Gary, IN

Prioritizing Nature-Based Solutions in Resilience Projects
Jason Stangland – Principal, Waterfront Practice Director
Smith Group
View Presentation

Municipal Water Supply
David Goldwater – Vice President, Senior Policy Advisor, Federal
Stantec
View Presentation

Municipal Infrastructure
Maud Allaire – Mayor of Contrecoeur, QC
View Presentation

Project Funding
Tom Berry – Senior Planner
Stantec
View Presentation

10 minutes – Q&A WITH GUEST SPEAKERS

15 minutes – SMALL GROUP DISCUSSIONS WITH GUEST SPEAKERS

DAY TWO

BREAKOUT SESSION TWO:

Planning for the Future – Preparing for Socio-Economic Impacts of Climate Change

Description: Our communities and economies will experience socio-economic impacts related to climate change. Hear from a range of experts on ways to prepare for, mitigate, and adapt to the different socio-economic impacts that could influence your community in future climate change scenarios. Topics include impacts on tourism, population migration, and economic development.

Moderator: Mayor Bill Steele – Port Colborne, ON

Tourism
Shelly Hartfield – Director of Port Services
American Queen Steamboat Company

Climate Migration
Beth Gibbons – Executive Director
American Society of Adaptation Professionals

Economic Development Along Our Coastlines
Aaron Barter – Director of Innovation and Sustainability
Waterfront Toronto
View Presentation

Social Expectations for Our Shorelines
Jon Allan – Senior Advisor, Senior Academic and Research Program Officer
University of Michigan, Great Lakes Water Quality Board, Science Advisory Board

10 minutes – Q&A WITH GUEST SPEAKERS

15 minutes – SMALL GROUP DISCUSSIONS WITH GUEST SPEAKERS

Check back often for additional agenda details.

VIRTUAL LEGISLATIVE RECEPTION
We are excited to announce that this year’s Annual Group Meeting will include a virtual legislative reception.  On August 25^th from 5:00 pm to 6:15 pm EST, you’ll be able to meet and mingle online with fellow Mayors, state and provincial legislators, industry leaders, and Members of Congress.

A Message from Mayor Walter Sendzik

A Message from Mayor Tom Barret

A Message from Mayor George Cornell

Legislative Reception Speakers:

Get the attention of over 250 mayors and political leaders at the 2021 Virtual Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative Annual Meeting

View the Sponsorship Opportunities