Great Lakes and St-Lawrence Cities Initiative | Alliance des Villes des Grands Lacs et du St-Laurent

Join us May 14-16, 2025, in Milwaukee, WI, for the Cities Initiative’s Annual General Meeting. This key event brings together hundreds of mayors, government officials, and industry leaders to address critical water challenges and drive innovation in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Basin.   As a member, take advantage of our SUPER SAVER rate, available until December 31, 2024, and save over 25% on registration fees. The Super Saver rate is $800 USD ($1,120 CAD), while the regular rate is $1,100 USD ($1,540 CAD). Stay at the beautiful Saint Kate – The Arts Hotel, with a special discounted rate. Be sure to book your accommodations by April 21, 2025, to secure your stay.   Don’t miss this opportunity to shape the #FutureOfFreshWater and connect with leaders making a difference. Register now and join us in Milwaukee! #CitiesInitiative2025 https://lnkd.in/ddJRPQe8 - Rejoignez-nous du 14 au 16 mai 2025 à Milwaukee, WI, pour l'assemblée générale annuelle de l'Alliance des villes. Cet événement majeur rassemble des centaines de maires, de représentants du gouvernement et de leaders de l'industrie pour relever les défis cruciaux liés à l'eau et stimuler l'innovation dans le bassin des Grands Lacs et du Saint-Laurent. En tant que membre, profitez de notre tarif SUPER ÉCONOMIQUE, disponible jusqu'au 31 décembre 2024, et économisez plus de 25 % sur les frais d'inscription. Le tarif Super Saver est de 800 USD (1 120 CAD), tandis que le tarif normal est de 1 100 USD (1 540 CAD). Séjournez au magnifique hôtel Saint Kate - The Arts, avec un tarif spécial. Assurez-vous de réserver votre hébergement avant le 21 avril 2025 pour garantir votre séjour.   Ne manquez pas cette occasion de façonner le #FutureOfFreshWater et de vous connecter avec des leaders qui font la différence. Inscrivez-vous dès maintenant et rejoignez-nous à Milwaukee ! #CitiesInitiative2025

The Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative has reached a major milestone in its mission to unify and empower communities across the basin, growing its membership to over 325 cities, Tribes, and First Nations. The first quarter of 2025 alone saw a surge of more than 55 new members—an increase of over 30%—demonstrating strong regional momentum behind the organization’s advocacy and collaboration efforts. - L'Alliance des villes des Grands Lacs et du Saint-Laurent a franchi une étape importante dans sa mission d'unification et d'autonomisation des collectivités du bassin, en augmentant le nombre de ses membres à plus de 325 villes, tribus et Premières nations. Au cours du premier trimestre de 2025 seulement, plus de 55 nouveaux membres se sont joints à l'Alliance, soit une augmentation de plus de 30 %, ce qui témoigne d'un fort élan régional en faveur des efforts de défense et de collaboration de l'organisation.

The future of fresh water starts with you! Be part of the conversation! Join us in Milwaukee, WI, from May 14-16, 2025, for The Future of Fresh Water: Leading the Way in an Era of Scarcity. Globally, access to clean water has become one of the most pressing challenges of the 21st century as various trends – from skyrocketing demand and constrained public budgets to the persistent threats of pollution and floods – converge to endanger water supply, water quality, and ultimately, communities and people. Register today: https://lnkd.in/e_YsJyTp #FutureOfFreshWater #GreatLakesLeadership #WaterInnovation #ClimateAction

« L’investissement de 48,4 millions de dollars sur cinq ans pour renforcer la résilience de nos communautés face aux changements climatiques est un pas dans la bonne direction. En soutenant les bureaux de projets qui accompagnent les municipalités et leurs partenaires sur le terrain, nous accélérons la mise en œuvre de solutions concrètes et durables. Les records de destruction causés par les inondations de l’été 2024 nous rappellent l’urgence d’agir. Chaque dollar investi aujourd’hui en prévention et en adaptation nous permet d’éviter des coûts bien plus lourds demain. L’Alliance des villes poursuivra son travail avec le gouvernement du Québec pour que nos communautés soient mieux préparées aux défis climatiques et puissent bâtir un avenir plus résilient ». – Maud Allaire, Mairesse de Contrecoeur

Just dropped! waterloop’s latest episode features mayors calling on Congress to fund vital Great Lakes projects. Mayors Marcus Muhammad (Benton Harbor City, MI) and Shawyn Patterson-Howard (City of Mount Vernon, NY) share the powerful impact of federal investments in local water systems — from replacing lead pipes to protecting public health and strengthening economies. Recorded at the Reservoir Center for Water Solutions in D.C., this episode dives into the real-world consequences of water infrastructure underinvestment—and the importance of continued federal support through programs like the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. Both mayors are proud members of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative, urging Congress to protect clean water and invest in our communities. Full episode (Mayors Urge Congress To Fund Great Lakes Projects): https://lnkd.in/emBuzEb9 Follow waterloop for in-depth stories and conversations on the most pressing water issues in the U.S.—from the health of our waterways and drinking water to coastal resilience, climate adaptation, environmental justice, utility management, infrastructure, nature-based solutions, and community engagement. #WaterInfrastructure #GreatLakes #CitiesInitiative #PublicHealth #LeadPipeReplacement #CleanWater #Waterloop #UrbanResilience #InfrastructureMatters

“Imagine not being able to flush your toilet—for two and a half years.” That was the reality for 1,100 families in Mount Vernon, New York, due to a catastrophic failure of sewer and stormwater infrastructure. Bypass pumps filled intersections just to keep wastewater out of homes. Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard says the situation was so dire, activists from Alabama came to help—and were shocked that it was happening just outside Manhattan, in one of the country’s wealthiest counties. Her leadership is now driving investment in overdue upgrades and putting dignity back into daily life. Episode at https://lnkd.in/evBCNzpG From a conversation at the Reservoir Center for Water Solutions

What if hundreds of cities could speak with one voice to protect the most vital freshwater resource in North America? That’s exactly what the Great Lakes and St-Lawrence Cities Initiative | Alliance des Villes des Grands Lacs et du St-Laurent empowers local leaders to do. Mayor Marcus Muhammad of Benton Harbor, Michigan says the coalition unites mayors from the U.S. and Canada to advocate for clean water, healthy communities, and economic vitality across the entire Great Lakes basin—from Lake Michigan to Ontario. Episode at https://lnkd.in/evBCNzpG From a conversation at the Reservoir Center for Water Solutions.

Municipal leaders from across the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River region are raising serious concerns about the economic fallout of potential blanket U.S. tariffs on Canadian imports.   Representing a coalition of 270+ communities, the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative is urging both countries to avoid a trade war that could put hundreds of thousands of jobs, local industries, and binational prosperity at risk.   From Chicago to Toronto, our leaders are calling for cooperation, not conflict. We need smart, stable trade policies that protect our shared economic future.   Learn more: https://lnkd.in/e-ubkvkW   #GLSLStrong #CrossBorderTrade #EconomicStability #BinationalCollaboration #GLSLCitiesInitiative #GreatLakes --- Les dirigeants municipaux de toute la région des Grands Lacs et du Saint-Laurent expriment de sérieuses inquiétudes quant aux retombées économiques d'éventuels tarifs douaniers généralisés imposés par les États-Unis sur les importations canadiennes.   Représentant une coalition de plus de 270 collectivités, l'Alliance des villes des Grands Lacs et du Saint-Laurent exhorte les deux pays à éviter une guerre commerciale qui pourrait mettre en péril des centaines de milliers d'emplois, d'industries locales et la prospérité binationale.   De Chicago à Toronto, nos dirigeants appellent à la coopération et non au conflit. Nous avons besoin de politiques commerciales intelligentes et stables qui protègent notre avenir économique commun. Pour en savoir plus :  https://lnkd.in/eQW7yTi8 #GLSLPuissants #CrossBorderTrade #EconomicStability #BinationalCollaboration #GLSLCitiesInitiative #GreatLakes

We wish to thank the Eastern Ontario Wardens' Caucus for having Mayor Mat Siscoe and Phillipe Murphy-Rhéaume at their meeting this week to present about the Cities Initiative and our Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Strong response to protect and promote our bilateral trade relationship. We are delighted to have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with EOWC that will serve as a platform for joint advocacy, knowledge sharing, and cross-border collaboration. This partnership will help the Cities Initiative enhance Eastern Ontario's voice in our coalition. We look forward to collaborating with a vital coalition that advocates on behalf of 103 small-urban and rural municipalities and serves a population of more than 1.1 million residents in our region.

Water is life – and it's time to take action to secure its future. Join us in Milwaukee, WI, from May 14-16, 2025, for The Future of Fresh Water: Leading the Way in an Era of Scarcity. As the world faces unprecedented challenges to clean water access – from rising demand and shrinking public budgets to pollution and flooding – we’re bringing together leaders, innovators, and advocates to tackle these issues head-on. 💧 48-Hour Flash Sale!💧 To mark #WorldWaterDay, we're offering 50% off non-member tickets for the next 48 hours! Don’t miss your chance to be part of the solution. Secure your spot now and shape the future of freshwater: https://lnkd.in/ew7GktHY #WorldWaterDay #GlacierPreservation #ProtectTheGreatLakes #ClimateAction #FreshwaterFuture #SustainableCities