In what is believed to be the first major science gathering on a First Nation in Canada, researchers from across the country came together June 3 – 6 for the inaugural meeting of Global Water Futures (GWF) on the Six Nations of the Grand River and at McMaster University to discuss critically important issues related to Canada’s freshwater resources.
“Already this season, we have seen record flooding in New Brunswick and British Columbia, wildfires across the West, drought in the southern Prairies and heat waves in Ontario that undermine the security of Canada’s water supplies and highlight the risk of extreme events due to climate change,” said John Pomeroy, Canada Research Chair in Water Resources and Climate Change at the University of Saskatchewan and Director of the Global Water Futures Program.
It is for these reasons and many more that we are doing everything we can to better understand, predict and manage changes to our freshwater in Canada and around the world.
Pomeroy said the inaugural science meeting of the GWF program was a chance for hundreds of people to come together and discuss the latest research, future scenarios, and solutions to protect and manage this precious resource.
The meeting also included the unveiling of a national flood forecasting and prediction strategy for Canada, to help Canadians better deal with the impacts of climate change.
The primary purpose of the GWF inaugural Annual Science Meeting was to provide an opportunity for all GWF researchers and affiliated highly-qualified personnel to gather and share their scientific findings and other relevant activities and outcomes with GWF community and users/stakeholders. In addition, the following activities took place:
- Workshops for GWF community to enhance understanding of Indigenous Communities engagement and history, and best practices for knowledge mobilization to users/stakeholders.
- An opportunity to learn about GWF international engagement, and how individual projects can engage in support of GWF’s international agenda.
- An opportunity for the Young Professionals group to meet and organize professional development activities to aid in their career advancement and social events to enhance comradery among peers.
GWF is the largest university-led freshwater research program in the world and includes hundreds of scientists and staff from 15 universities across Canada.