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The following article is from an archived newsletter. See our Shared Waters newsletter.

Fall 2017 Semi-Annual Brings Together Commissioners, Boards

IJC staff
IJC
Water Matters - Fall 2017 Semi-Annual Meeting Brings together Boards, Commissioners

As fall descended on Ottawa, Ontario, so did a contingent of IJC staff, Commissioners and board members. The IJC held its Fall 2017 Semi-Annual Meeting in late October, a unique opportunity for face-to-face discussions that happens twice a year.

This fall, IJC boards from coast-to-coast presented progress reports to Commissioners for two full days. Commissioners and staff were in meetings all week, from executive discussions about upcoming reports and other issues to lunch with US Deputy Chief of Mission Elizabeth Aubin and informal sessions with Canadian government representatives.

 

Fall in Ottawa. Credit: IJC
Fall in Ottawa. Credit: IJC

 

The board appearances featured the first for the Souris River Study Board, appointed in September. There also was a workshop with boards involved with the International Watersheds Initiative, where participants shared the process for making geospatial data consistent in watersheds shared by Canada and the US as well as projects that use the harmonized data.  And the Great Lakes Water Quality Board and Ottawa Riverkeeper hosted a sold-out public panel discussion on Tuesday evening at a local restaurant.

 

Panelists at the Great Lakes Water Quality Board event. From left to right: Verna McGregor, Algonquin elder, Kitigan Zibi; Dr. Rob de Loë, board co-chair; Meredith Brown of Ottawa Riverkeeper; Dr. Jesse Vermaire of Carleton University.
Panelists at the Great Lakes Water Quality Board event. From left to right: Verna McGregor, Algonquin elder, Kitigan Zibi; Dr. Rob de Loë, board co-chair; Meredith Brown of Ottawa Riverkeeper; Dr. Jesse Vermaire of Carleton University.

 

The members of IJC boards come from a wide variety of backgrounds and serve as volunteers. The progress reports they present to commissioners are discussed at length during Semi-Annual Meetings, which gives time for questions, further input and charting a path forward.

See below for infographics highlighting just some of the projects and work being undertaken by IJC boards. We also posted updates from the week on our Twitter and Facebook pages (you may have noticed and enjoyed animated infographics for a few of our boards). Stay tuned for follow-up articles. The next Semi-Annual is in the spring in Washington, D.C.

 

Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River Board – Click for the full infographic
Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River Board – Click for the full infographic

 

Lake Superior Board of Control – Click for the full infographic
Lake Superior Board of Control – Click for the full infographic​​​

 

Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Board – Click for the full infographic
Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Board – Click for the full infographic​​​​​​

 

Lake Champlain-Richelieu River Study Board – Click for the full infographic
Lake Champlain-Richelieu River Study Board – Click for the full infographic​

 

IJC staff
IJC

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