Leaders and staff from the International Joint Commission (IJC) were part of this year’s Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Day on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Ontario, organized to discuss key issues and priorities in the Great Lakes.
Attendees included IJC Canadian Chair Pierre Béland, Canadian Secretary Christopher Wilkie and Great Lakes Regional Office Director David Burden along with Commission staff.
Canadian IJC Chair Pierre Béland engages with event attendees. Credit: IJC
The event was organized by co-chairs of the Canadian section of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Group: Member of Parliament Vance Badawey and Sen. Jane Cordy. The group addresses issues facing the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River and focuses Parliament’s attention on related economic, environmental and social issues.
The Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Day event on May 30 provided a unique platform for the IJC and partners to directly connect with Parliamentarians and Hill staff.
Partner organizations in attendance included the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, Ontario Commercial Fishers Association, Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative, Council of the Great Lakes Region, Pollution Probe and the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters.
Throughout the evening, IJC engaged with guests and partners about its mandate, boards in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River basin and the upcoming release of the IJC’s Great Lakes Science Strategy. Each discussion was an opportunity to emphasize the need to continue critical bilateral relationships between Canada and the United States to advance and productively address issues in the Great Lakes and other transboundary waters.
IJC Commissioner and staff were thrilled to meet so many dedicated individuals and partners who play a key role in ensuring that the Great Lakes are restored and protected. Thank you again to the organizers and see you next year.
At left, IJC's Christina Chiasson discusses transboundary waters with event participants. At right, from left to right: IJC’s Rajesh Bejankiwar, Member of Parliament Vance Badawey and IJC Great Lakes Regional Office Director David Burden. Credit: IJC
Geneviève Asselin is acting public affairs manager for the Canadian Section of the IJC in Ottawa, Ontario.