Press Releases
The Cities Initiative periodically issues press releases on a variety of programs. Find an archive of press releases here.
June 23, 2022 – Great Lakes mayors united in support for ambitious Ontario Marine Strategy
December 16, 2021 – Great Lakes Mayors Support Biden-Harris Lead Pipe and Paint Action Plan.
March 31, 2021 – Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative supports Biden infrastructure plan
February 25, 2021 – Regional organizations support shared priorities for the Great Lakes
September 2, 2020 – Detroit, Zion, and Saint-Anicet join the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Initiative
February 14, 2020 – Pre-Budget Consultations with the Government of Canada
February 11, 2020 – Reaction to presidential budget
June 26, 2019 – Projects Moving Ahead to Reduce Lake Erie Algae, Phosphorus targeted for removal
April 19, 2019 – Great Lakes & St. Lawrence Cities Initiative Welcomes Waukegan Mayor Cunningham
March 15, 2019 – Trump Administration 2020 Budget Proposal Jeopardizes Clean Water
February 22, 2018 – Canadian and US Mayors Call for Immediate Action on Asian Carp
December 7, 2018 – Projects identified to address Lake Erie algae, Thames River Phosphorous Reduction Collaborative
a. Read the Backgrounder
b. Read the Press Release
November 30, 2018 – Mayors and Anishinabek Nation call for stricter rules for water withdrawals from the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence
a. Read the backgrounder
b. Read the Press Release
October 26, 2018 – Panel of Expert to Investigate Protection of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River
a. Read the backgrounder
b. Read the Press Release
June 14, 2018: Canadian and US Mayors reject rhetoric, stand united for shared economic prosperity.
August 2, 2017: Mayors and Governors Reach Agreement to Improve Water Diversion Application Process
June 27, 2017: New group working with farmers, municipalities to reduce phosphorus in the Thames
May 23, 2017: Proposed US Federal Budget Cuts Threaten the Great Lakes
March 27, 2017: Cities Initiative Board of Directors Announces New President/CAO
March 16, 2017: Elimination of Great Lakes Funds Shocks Mayors
March 3, 2017: Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Mayors Deeply Concerned about U.S. Budget
December 19, 2016: Success for the Great Lakes: WIIN Act Signed Into Law By Obama
December 9, 2016: Funding Supports Work to Reduce Phosphorus Loss to Waterways
June 16, 2016: Mayors Oppose Waukesha Water Diversion (pdf)
February 16th, 2016: Mayors call on June 16, 2016: Backgrounder Premiers, Governors to Defend Integrity of Great Lakes and Compact [pdf]
October 6th, 2015: Mayors hold first Great Lakes Day at Queen's Park
October 6th, 2015: Backgrounder
June 10th, 2015: Mayors Call on US and Canada to Protect Drinking Water [pdf]
Annual Meetings
Montreal 2017
Thunder Bay 2014
- Mayors Call for Better Protection from Oil Transportation Spills
- Cities Recognized for Sustainability, Conservation, and Water Management
Marquette 2013
Quebec 2012
Niagara Falls 2011
- Cities Receive Awards for Stormwater Management, Conservation and Sustainability
- New Bi-National Commitment, Investment Urgently Needed to Protect Great Lakes and St. Lawrence
Milwaukee 2010
Asian Carp
- $2 Million Funding Goal Met, Lead Contractor Selected for Study Initiative to Modernize the Chicago Waterway System and Protect the Great Lakes from Asian Carp – January 11th, 2011
- States and cities launch initiative to modernize the Chicago area waterway system and protect the Great Lakes from Asian carp – July 22nd, 2010
Canada Ontario Agreement and Memorandum of Cooperation (COAMOC)
- June 1, 2010: Provincial and Municipal Great Lakes Partnerships
- June 1, 2010: Ontario and Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative Areas of Cooperation
- June 1, 2010: Ontario’s Great Lakes Beaches and Coasts to Benefit from Collaboration
- May 5, 2009: Ontario Mayors’ Five Point Collaborative Action Plan to Protect the Great Lakes
- May 5, 2009: Cities and Province Affirm Commitment to Restoring and Protecting the Great Lakes
Municipal Adaptation and Resiliency Service (MARS)
- Cities Initiative Launches a Municipal Adaptation and Resiliency Service
- June 17, 2014: Cities, Ontario Tackle Great Lakes Resiliency to Climate Change Together
- June 17, 2014: Letter from Mayor Hobbs to Members regarding Municipal Adaptation and Resiliency Service
- August 2014: “Is Your Municipality Storm Ready?”
Nuclear
- February 4, 2011: Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Mayors Express Disappointment at Decision to Approve Radioactive Equipment and Waste Shipment
- September 29, 2010: Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Mayors Oppose Nuclear Waste Shipment
- November 23, 2010: Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Mayors Reaffirm Opposition to Radioactive Waste Shipment
- September 13, 2010: Cities Initiative Opposes Radioactive Shipment Along Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River