This week in Milwaukee, I had the privilege of joining over 230 mayors and local leaders at the 2025 Great Lakes & St. Lawrence Cities Initiative Annual General Meeting.
What we discussed and worked on over the three-day AGM:
- Innovation & investment – We kicked off with PitcH2O, the first-ever water-tech pitch competition. Start-ups like Pipesonic paired with municipalities such as Peel Region to accelerate next-generation water treatment and monitoring solutions.
- Shared policy commitments – We endorsed a new Declaration on Preserving the U.S.–Canada Relationship, reaffirming our commitment to strong cross-border collaboration and the protection of basin-wide freshwater resources.
- Water-supply resilience – In Plenary #1, experts from Veolia, Québec City, and others outlined strategies to balance water demand, increase efficiency, and enhance long-term sustainability.
- Coastal adaptation – A breakfast roundtable brought together 100+ municipalities already piloting the Cities Initiative’s coastal resilience programs. We exchanged nature-based design templates that could be adapted for Lake Simcoe and the Holland Marsh.
- Indigenous knowledge & equity – A powerful session highlighted Tribal and First Nation approaches to water stewardship—insights that directly support our ongoing reconciliation efforts with the Chippewas of Georgina Island.
- Emerging contaminants & legacy clean-ups – Plenary #2 explored responses to PFAS, microplastics, and brownfield remediation, while breakout sessions focused on public-private partnerships and effective community communication.
- Economic engine of the Seaway – Luncheon speakers from the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corp. emphasized the $50 billion shipping corridor that connects Aurora-area businesses to global markets.
- Climate-ready infrastructure – Plenary #3 focused on adapting to extreme weather through green infrastructure—aligning with York Region Sewage Works Project and Aurora’s Low-Impact Development standards.
- Field learning – We wrapped up with tours of Milwaukee’s award-winning green-roofed schools, permeable-pavement corridors, and revitalized riverfronts—practical, scalable solutions we can bring home to protect the Oak Ridges Moraine and our own local waterways.
Amid this action-packed agenda, I was also deeply honoured to receive the 2025 Rob Ford Community Leader Award from the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative. Thank you to Premier Ford, Earl Provost (Ontario Agent-General in Chicago), and the Cities Initiative for this meaningful recognition. It reflects the collective efforts of our community and our shared commitment to protecting our waterways, promoting sustainable growth, and strengthening cross-border partnerships.
I’m proud to stand with local leaders dedicated to cleaner water, sustainable growth, and stronger cross-border partnerships—and excited to bring back new momentum and practical tools to serve our residents. #LeadershipThatGetsThingsDone
