The Western Ontario Warden's Cacus (WOWC) and the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative (GLSLCI) have formalized a new partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding to address shared regional challenges such as water quality and climate change, while advancing economic growth across the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence region.

Seated, Chair WOWC, Warden Marcus Ryan (Oxford County), Co-Chair GLSLCI, Mayor Mat Siscoe (St. Catharines). Standing: Past Chair WOWC, Mayor Glen McNeil (Huron County),  Warden Andrea Matrosovs (Grey County), Warden Dominique Giguère (Elgin County), Past     Chair WOWC, Mayor Jim Ginn (Huron County), Past Warden Gary McNamara (Essex County).

This agreement establishes a framework for advancing shared priorities, including environmental protection, infrastructure planning, and cross-border (Canada-U.S.) cooperation on trade, transportation networks and emergency preparedness. It also supports coordinated efforts to strengthen regional economic development and advance opportunities tied to the Fresh Coast Economic Corridor.

"This partnership reflects the importance of working together across jurisdictions to address shared challenges and create new opportunities for our communities," said WOWC Chair, Marcus Ryan. "By strengthening collaboration with the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative, we are reinforcing Western Ontario's role in supporting economic growth, protecting freshwater resources, and building strong communities for the future."

"The Great Lakes Region is home to an extraordinary network of communities bound by shared waters and shared ambitions. Through this partnership with the Western Ontario Wardens' Caucus, we are building the kind of collaboration that turns those shared ambitions into real outcomes from protecting our freshwater resources to unlocking the full potential of the Fresh Coast Economic Corridor. We look forward to helping elevate Western Ontario's voice throughout our region through this partnership," said Mayor Mat Siscoe, Co-Chair Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative.

The WOWC represents 15 upper and single-tier municipalities across Western Ontario, serving approximately 300 communities and more than 20 per cent of Ontario's population. The GLSLCI is a multinational coalition representing over 400 communities committed to protecting freshwater resources and supporting economic prosperity throughout the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River region.

Through this partnership, WOWC will bring a Western Ontario perspective to broader regional discussions, helping to ensure local priorities are reflected in cross-border collaboration.

The agreement also includes a commitment to ongoing coordination between both organizations, with a focus on sharing knowledge, aligning priorities, and supporting informed decision-making across member communities.