2024 Federal Priorities
The Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative’s federal priorities for the Canadian and U.S. governments are released annually and are the culmination of extensive consultation with our Board of Directors and our member cities.
U.S. Federal Priorities
The Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative calls on the U.S. federal government to support the following priorities for Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River Basin communities.
Specifically, the Cities Initiative urges the U.S. federal government to:
- Safeguard Equitable Implementation of Federal Investments in Water Infrastructure
- Expedite Lead Service Line Replacement and Distribute Federal Funds Fairly
- Facilitate Economic Transformation in Basin Communities
- Promote Ecosystem Restoration and Protect Water Quality
- Bolster Coastal Resilience and Prevent Urban Flooding
- Combat Aquatic Invasive Species
For more information, please contact Travis Wheeler, Chief Policy Officer, at twheeler@glslcities.org.
Joint U.S. Federal Priorities
The Cities Initiative has partnered with the Great Lakes Commission and eight other regional organizations to endorse a set of joint U.S. federal priorities to accelerate progress, foster equity, build resilience, and ensure the Great Lakes are a source of drinking water, an environmental treasure, and an economic engine for North America. These joint priorities present a powerful, unified voice from diverse groups representing Great Lakes states, cities, conservation and environmental groups, business and industry, tribes and ports and commercial vessel operators.
Canadian Federal Priorities
The Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative calls on the Canadian federal government to support the following priorities for Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River Basin communities
Specifically, the Cities Initiative urges the Canadian federal government to:
- Ensure Equitable Investments in Water Infrastructure and Increase Local Revenue Streams
- Facilitate Economic Transformation in Basin Communities
- Promote Ecosystem Restoration and Protect Water Quality
- Bolster Coastal Resilience and Prevent Urban Flooding
- Address Nuisances and Pollutants Affecting the Quality of our Precious Freshwater Resources
View Canadian Federal Priorities
For more information, please contact Eamonn Horan-Lunney, Senior Canada Policy Director, at eamonn.hl@glslcities.org.
Mayors Commission on Water Equity's U.S. Policy Agenda
Recommendations for U.S. Federal and State Governments to Advance Water Equity for Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River Basin Communities. View recommendations
Recommendations for Congress to Advance Water Equity for Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River Basin Communities. View recommendations