Driving Sustainable Growth: A Testimonial from The Water Institute’s Participation at the 2024 Great Lakes Sustainable Growth Forum
By the Council of the Great Lakes Region
In late June, the Council of the Great Lakes Region (CGLR) in collaboration with the Toronto Region Board of Trade, hosted the Great Lakes Sustainable Growth Forum. This significant event united leaders from various sectors to tackle critical challenges, explore how to responsibly grow the Great Lakes regional economy, and protect the Great Lakes – one of North America’s key economic regions.
According to the Council of the Great Lakes Region, “the Great Lakes megaregion spans eight U.S. states and two Canadian provinces and is an economic powerhouse with an annual GDP exceeding CA$8.0 trillion (US$6.0 trillion). Accounting for more than 50% of the total value of two-way goods trade between the United States and Canada, the region supports over 50 million jobs, roughly one-third of the combined American and Canadian workforce.”
It was an engaging and insightful event, highlighting critical discussions on regional sustainable growth, including streams for economic development and environmental protection. A timely panel on freshwater stewardship entitled “Freshwater Future: Advancing Corporate Water Stewardship in the Great Lakes Region” was held as part of the environmental protection theme and delved into essential topics such as corporate water stewardship and economic feasibility of sustainable water use within industry.
The panel featured distinguished guest speakers, including:
- Roy Brouwer, Executive Director of the University of Waterloo’s Water Institute (Moderator)
- Noelle Brigham, Director of ESG, A.O. Smith
- Brian Bruce, President, Municipal Water – Central Region, Veolia North America
- Alan Gilden, Vice President, Global Quality, Watts Water Technologies
- Andreanne Simard, Senior Natural Resources Manager, BlueTriton Brands Canada
Read the full article from the Council of the Great Lakes Region here.