Piper's Gastropub, The Fairmont Royal York

Drinking Water Leadership Summit delegates joined their industry colleagues on Tuesday evening to kick off the event with appetizers and cocktails. They mixed and mingled with old friends and new acquaintances in the comfortable, casual atmosphere of Piper’s Gastropub.

Following the Opening Breakfast and networking opportunities, welcome remarks were provided by: the Ontario Municipal Water Association (OMWA), including an introduction of the OMWA Board and an overview of the OMWA’s activities; the producers of the Summit, MediaEdge Communications; and the Summit’s Platinum Sponsor, Torys LLP.

The Government of Ontario is being recognized for its post-Walkerton restructuring of the public drinking water sector with new legislation, new regulations and working in co-operation with the stakeholders including OMWA to ensure the safety of public drinking water in Ontario.

Post-Walkerton, Ontario has become a world leader in drinking water protection, conservation and innovative clean water technologies and is the gold standard for excellence in drinking water protection.  All Ontario municipal drinking water system owners have now received their final licenses for the operation of public water supply systems in the province.

According to the 2011 Canadian Water Attitudes study, commissioned by RBC and Unilever Canada, 91 percent of Ontarians are confident about the safety and quality of their drinking water.

Acceptance by: The Honourable Dalton McGuinty, Premier of Ontario

Video

Walkerton: From Infamy to Excellence

This presentation will explore the consequences of failing to protect drinking water from source to tap. Beginning with a submersible camera view of the inside of Walkerton’s Well number 5, which allowed a lethal blend of contaminates to enter Walkerton’s drinking water system, followed by a review of the systemic breakdown that lead to the tragedy. The seminar will also profile the social economic and health ramifications that plagued the community following the tragedy including the impacts of fear, distrust and denial. The tale of the Walkerton journey from infamy to excellence would not be complete without profiling the community’s miraculous recovery and the ensuing improvements in the management of drinking water across the country. This seminar provides a unique citizen’s perspective on the Walkerton water tragedy that resonates with water professionals on both a technical and emotional level regarding the need for comprehensive protection of drinking water.

Bruce Davidson’s presentations of Walkerton: The Cost of Getting it Wrong have included all 19 of Ontario’s source protection committees, several conservation authorities, municipal public utilities commissions, treatment and drinking water distribution staff throughout Ontario, environmental industries associations, Ontario drinking water inspectors, first nations drinking water symposiums, regional health units, environmental forums, high schools, colleges, universities, youth groups and community organizations. Bruce has also presented The Cost of Getting it Wrong in 9 provinces, participated in hundreds of media interviews and appeared on CBC, CTV, Global Television, T.V. Ontario and various international media programs on several occasions.

Providing a municipal and political perspective, this panel discussion will explore the relationship between senior executive and Board/Council. Through case studies and sharing of experiences, the panelists will examine the changes of the last decade, the challenges of meeting present regulatory requirements with aging infrastructure and opportunities to improve into the future.

Moderator: Jim Pine, Chief Administrative Officer, County of Hastings

Panelists: Andrea Clemencio, Manager, Water and Wastewater, Town of Lincoln; Lou di Gironimo, General Manager, Toronto Water; David Marr, Deputy Mayor, The Corporation of the Municipality of Central Elgin; and John Stuart, Chief Operating Officer, Windsor Utilities Commission

In this seminar, the “business” of the delivery of drinking water will be examined with topics including; a comparison of alternative financial models, such as private/public partnerships and joint municipal services boards; alternative construction and program delivery options; rates and pricing options; the financial impact of changing regulatory and asset needs; and the challenge of declining consumption through conservation in an environment of increasing population.

Moderator: Nigel Bellchamber, General Manager, Ontario Municipal Administrators Association

Panelists: Charles Keizer, Co-head, Infrastructure and Energy Practice, Torys LLP; Dr. Mark Knight, Executive Director, Centre for Advancement of Trenchless Technologies (CATT), University of Waterloo; and Janice Page, Solicitor, City of London

A group of human resources experts and municipal representatives will provide insight to best practices for working with today’s widely differing workforce. Topics presented, from hiring to retiring, will include: training and motivation; performance management; compensation, benefits and pensions; and the newer challenges associated with generational and cultural diversity and the emergence of social media.

Moderator: Elizabeth Bourns, BA, MPA, CHRP, Director, Human Resources, Town of Oakville and Vice President, Ontario Municipal Human Resources Association

Panelists: Danelle Caswell, Manager Strategic Recruitment & Employment Services, City of Toronto: David Czuczman, Practice Leader, Buffett Taylor; and Tracey McKenna, CHRP, Manager of Human Resources, Town of the Blue Mountains

An esteemed panel of environmental law specialists will examine regulation and compliance, and the responsibilities and duties of individuals involved in the water industry. Discussed will be the evolution of regulation, personal liability and protection, and new standards with a practical, common-sense approach to implementing best practices.

Moderator: James (Jim) Hunt, CET, BA, MBA, LLB, Barrister and Solicitor, Sherwood, Hunt LLP

Panelists: Harry Dahme, Certified Specialist (Environmental Law), Partner, Gowlings Lafleur Henderson LLP; Dennis E. Mahony, Head, Environmental, Health and Safety Practice, Torys LLP; Theresa McClenaghan, Executive Director, Canadian Environmental Law Association; and Mary Smith, Mayor, Township of Smith-Ennismore-Lakefield

Hosted by:

The Imperial Room, The Fairmont Royal York

An evening of recognition and celebration honoured the Ontario Municipal Water Association’s founding members and presented an Industry Leadership Award for significant continuous contribution to the water industry to Peterborough Utilities Group.

Founding Members

On October 13, 1966, fourteen municipalities from across Ontario met in London, Ontario to discuss joint co-operation in provincial water systems. Following that meeting, on November 17, 1966, the Ontario Municipal Water Association (OMWA) was organized. The OMWA held its first Annual General Meeting on March 20, 1967.  The Board of Directors acknowledges and honours the founding members.

Industry Leadership Awards

Peterborough Utilities Group and its predecessor the Peterborough Utilities Commission are being recognized for their long-term commitment to the water sector. They have been active for over 100 years in the water sector of Ontario and in North America. Elected officials and staff have been very active on various water associations’ executive boards and have contributed hundreds of volunteer hours.

The Government of Ontario is being recognized for its post-Walkerton restructuring of the public drinking water sector with new legislation, new regulations and working in co-operation with the stakeholders including OMWA to ensure the safety of public drinking water in Ontario.

Post-Walkerton, Ontario has become a world leader in drinking water protection, conservation and innovative clean water technologies and is the gold standard for excellence in drinking water protection.  All Ontario municipal drinking water system owners have now received their final licenses for the operation of public water supply systems in the province.

According to the 2011 Canadian Water Attitudes study, commissioned by RBC and Unilever Canada, 91 percent of Ontarians are confident about the safety and quality of their drinking water.

Entertainment
David Merry’s show is a fast paced barrage of comedy mixed with an assortment of inventions, props and amazing magic.It has been described by the Toronto Star aslike watching “Steven Wright doing Magic Tricks on Shutter Island”

David was the host of Global TV’s sports trivia game show “Game On!” and “Get a Grip on Golf”  he has been seen on “An Evening at the Improv”, “SCTV”, “BIZARRE”, “The Kids in the Hall”, the “Tom Green Show”and has had his own half-hour comedy special on CBC, called ”Comics!”.

David has been the opening act for Jerry Seinfeld, Howie Mandel, Kris Kristofferson, Engelbert Humperdinck, Neil Sedaka, and The Smothers Brothers. He was a joke writer for Rodney Dangerfield and Joan Rivers and is a past recipient of Canada’s “Club Comic of the Year” Award.

This session will examine the financial impacts of regulations such as the Standard of Care (Why is it important? What does it mean? Who is covered?), Source Water Protection, Wastewater and the Great Lakes St. Lawrence River Basin Sustainable Water Resources and the proposed Great Lakes Protection Act on utilities, municipalities and individuals.  Discussion will include compliance, risk management and potential liabilities.

Moderator: Lynn Dollin, Chair, South Georgian Bay Lake Simcoe Source Protection Committee (Councillor, Town of Innisfil)

Panelists: Sara Beukeboom, B.Comm (Honours), CGA, Corporate Services Manager – Financial Services, City of Kawartha Lakes; David Kerr, Manager of Environmental Services, City of Kawartha Lakes; Dr. Dianne Saxe, Certified Specialist in Environmental Law, Saxe Law Office; and Gary Scandlan, Associate Director, Watson & Associates Economists Ltd.

Leading research is contributing to a growing tide of water innovation in Canada and support from government and industry is required for it to reach the marketplace. This session will examine getting new and innovative products from concept to reality, financing research and development and the encouragement of industry acceptance.

Moderator: Sheeraz Haji, CEO, Cleantech Group

Panelists: Carole Champion, Director, Industrial Engagement, Sector Lead, Energy and Environment, Ontario Centres of Excellence; Barb McMurray, Project Manager, Environmental Innovations Branch, Ontario Ministry of the Environment; and Dr. Brian Mergelas, PhD, CEO, Water Technologies Acceleration Project (WaterTAP)

Session Audio
 

Accidents happen. How they are dealt with makes the difference. This session will demonstrate how utilities and municipalities can prepare for and recover from a disaster or emergency that affects water or wastewater. Highlighted will be the importance of planning reviews and audits of systems, communication with public and media during and after an event, recovery and improvements, and the political impact of how a situation is managed.

Moderator: Delbert (Deb) Shewfelt, Mayor, Town of Goderich 

Panelists: Christine Campbell, Team Leader, Drinking Water Emergency Planning, Drinking Water Programs Branch, Ontario Ministry of the Environment; T.K. (Tom) Kontra, CD, ABCP, Deputy Chief, Program Development and Planning, Emergency Management Ontario, Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services; and Patricia Skopelianos, Water Utility Quality Assurance Coordinator, Peterborough Utilities Services Inc.