Great Lakes 2019
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Congratulations to the finalists
About the Challenge
The Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Basin is the largest system of fresh surface water on earth, containing 21% of the world's freshwater. As such, it's the primary drinking water source for over 40 million people, and it would rank as the third largest economy in the world if it was a country.
Between February and October 2019, young innovative minds - from Ontario and Quebec- were invited to create groundbreaking solutions to critical environmental water issues affecting the Basin.

The Water Issues

Microplastics
How might we develop an intervention to prevent plastics and microplastics from entering the waters of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Basin?
Water Issue Leaders:
University of Sherbrooke, McMaster University and Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative

“FLUSHABLE” WIPES
How might we develop a solution to prevent wipes from contaminating wastewater collection and treatment systems?
Water Issue Leader:
Municipal Enforcement Sewer Use Group

ROAD SALTS
How might we divert road salt from entering the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Basin?
Water Issue Leader:
WWF

FLOODPROOF COMMUNITIES
How could we reduce climate-related damages and economic losses from flooding for individuals, communities, infrastructure and the environment in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River Basin?
Water Issue Leader:
Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative

MUNICIPAL WATER AND DRINKING FOUNTAINS
How might we increase public trust and use of public water throughout the City of Montreal?
Water Issue Leaders:
City of Montreal and APEL
Advisory Committee
Jean-François Barsoum
Senior Associate Consultant, Smart Cities (Water and Transportation) - IBM
Kevin Boehmer
Managing director – Water Institute, University of Waterloo
Bernadette Conant
CEO – Canadian Water Network
Kerry Freek
VP and Senior manager of communications – WaterTap
Madhu Malhotra
Manager, Strategic Analysis Section, Land and Water Policy Branch - Ontario Ministry of Environment
Scott McKay
Program and Policy Manager – Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative
Sébastien Sauvé
Vice-Dean, Faculty of Arts and Science – University of Montreal
Nancy Stalder-Salt
Great Lakes Program Coordinator – Environment and Climate Change Canada
Brendas Lucas
Executive Director – Southern Ontario Water Consortium
Jacques Durocher
Chairman – Stratégies Saint-Laurent
Mélanie Deslongchamps
Executive Director – APEL