World Water Day event live from Ottawa

OTTAWA – Members of the media are invited to attend a special World Water Day event live from Ottawa featuring the country’s top water scientists, Indigenous water leaders, policy makers, and politicians for a discussion and announcement on the state of water security in Canada. The event is hosted by the University of Saskatchewan-led Global Water Futures (GWF).

Last year we witnessed the most widespread drought and fire season in Canadian history, followed by major flooding on the east and west coasts. Scientists are now working with policy makers and politicians to prepare Canada for the future of unprecedented climate-driven water-related activity. Based on the latest science and prediction models, Canada could be looking at floods, droughts, fires, and infrastructure collapse once again in 2022. Are we ready? Join some of the top minds in Canada to find out.

When: Tuesday, March 22, 8:25-11:30 am EDT (Ottawa)

  • 8:30-9:00 am Keynote Talks from the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of ECCC and the Assistant Director General of UNESCO, Paris
  • High Level Panel from 9:05-10:00 am with media interviews available afterwards (10:00-10:15 am)
  • Water Knowledge Panel with top science and policy makers from 10:15-11:30 am with media interviews available afterwards (11:30-11:45 am)

Who:

  • Keynote speakers: Terry Duguid, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change; Shamila Nair-Bedouelle, Assistant Director-General for Natural Sciences Programme at UNESCO
  • High-Level Panel: Elizabeth May, MP; Francis Scarpaleggia, MP; Dan Mazier, MP; Laurel Collins, MP; Linda Debassige, Chief M'Chigeeng First Nation; Monique Pauzé, MP
  • Water Knowledge Panel: John Pomeroy, University of Saskatchewan and Global Water Futures; Dr. Dawn Martin-Hill, McMaster University, Global Water Futures; François de Gaspé Beaubien, Zoom Media, de Gaspé Beaubien Foundation; Dr. Corinne Schuster-Wallace, University of Saskatchewan, Global Water Futures; Merrell-Ann Phare, Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources, Inc., Forum for Leadership on Water
  • Facilitated by: Annette Trimbee of MacEwan University and Robert Sandford of The United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH)

Where: Fairmont Chateau Laurier, Ottawa (Laurier Room)

Livestreams are also available in both official languages:

English livestream (Zoom) information
https://encoreglobal.zoom.us/j/99410340699?pwd=UWdwUzErUG1EMHBFZnViNnBwMERuUT10
Meeting ID: 994 1034 0699
Password: 133284 

French livestream (Zoom) information
https://encoreglobal.zoom.us/j/93675995870?pwd=SUxvd3NnbnBKUHBvTUl6M1MvVUcxUT09
Meeting ID: 936 7599 5870
Password: 469699 

Event website: https://gwf.usask.ca/events/2022/03/worldwaterday.php

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For more information, to arrange interviews, or to RSVP, contact:

Mark Ferguson
Global Water Future
University of Saskatchewan
306-222-6915
m.ferguson@usask.ca