June 2, 2026 Water Sovereignty: Join our Youth Advisory Council’s virtual panel Photo: Tilaï Ellis-Stairs In January 2026, the United Nations issued a sobering report: the world has moved beyond a “water crisis” and is now facing global water bankruptcy. As we celebrate Oceans Week Canada and Toronto Climate Week, our Youth Advisory Council is hosting an insightful discussion panel on how we can reclaim water sovereignty and ensure a secure future for all communities. This virtual panel – which takes place on June 4th from 7:30PM-9:00PM ET – brings together a multi-generational, cross-sector, and national group of leaders to move from “crisis” to “action.” Together, we will explore: Indigenous leadership: Insights into innovative solutions, such as the movement to recognize the Yukon River legally as a person Policy and science: Perspectives from academic scientists and federal, experts working to fortify water security across Canada Youth advocacy: A platform for young leaders to share the specific water challenges facing their home communities and how they are leading the charge for change Water isn’t just a resource; it is the foundation of sovereignty. Join us to learn how water shapes our communities and how you can get involved in the national movement for water justice. Featured speakers include: Patrick Weiler has served as the Member of Parliament for West Vancouver–Sunshine Coast–Sea to Sky Country since 2019, representing the communities where he was born and raised. An environmental lawyer by training, Patrick worked with businesses, municipalities, Indigenous communities, and the United Nations to advance rights, promote prosperity, and protect the environment before entering public life. In Parliament, Patrick has helped secure support for local businesses, protect old-growth forests, and advance salmon restoration efforts. He is the Chair of the All-Party Tourism Caucus, championing Canada’s tourism sector, and sits on the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans. Guided by the simple belief that policy should always serve people, not the other way around, he has focused his work on the issues that matter most to Canadians — affordable housing, climate action, sustainable economic growth, and community well-being. Amy Charles is a Métis professional with a strong focus on Indigenous knowledge sharing, environmental education, and youth engagement. She currently works as the Indigenous Knowledge Specialist at Ocean Wise, supporting youth and education initiatives grounded in relationship-building and reciprocity. Amy brings nonprofit leadership and board experience through her roles with the Calgary Queer Arts Society (CQAS) and the Canadian Network for Ocean Education (CaNOE). She is deeply committed to equity-centered, collaborative approaches and empowering young people through land-, story-, and community-based learning. The Honourable Rosa Galvez, Ph.D., P. Eng. is a Canadian environmental engineer, researcher, educator, and independent senator recognized nationally and internationally for her expertise in pollution control, water and soil decontamination, and evidence-based public policy. Originally from Peru, she has spent over three decades advancing scientific understanding of environmental contamination and advocating for policy that protects human health and ecosystems. Julia Baribeau works in sustainability consulting engineering at Enviro-Stewards, making industrial manufacturing more efficient and less wasteful with water, energy, and food. She volunteers for Safe Water Social Ventures, which supports safe water in East Africa through biosand filtration and decentralized social entrepreneurship. She has a BASc in Mechatronics Engineering from the University of Waterloo and a focus on interdisciplinary collaboration, reconciliaction, and outdoor education. Sarah MacDonald recently completed a Master of Applied Science in Environmental Engineering at Dalhousie University, where her research focused on cyanobacterial communities and toxin production in minimally impacted aquatic systems in a national park in Nova Scotia, Canada. Prior to her Master’s, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science with honours, where she investigated how eutrophication vulnerability could be used to indicate cyanobacterial prevalence in minimally impacted lakes. She recently joined the University of Toronto as a field research coordinator, where she will focus on cyanobacterial communities and toxin production across salinity gradients. To learn more about the event, and to sign up to attend, please click here. We’re looking forward to discussing this urgent issue with you this week. Explore Related Content Champions and Partners, From The Field, Good News Stories, Youth Voices Honouring Tradition: A project that’s fostering Indigenous youth leadership and cultural continuity June 2, 2026 Read more Good News Stories, News and Updates AppleTV+ Launches “Jane” April 2023 June 2, 2026 Read more Dr. Jane, News and Updates From the Desk of Dr. Jane: Statement for the International Day of Peace June 2, 2026 Read more
