2015 Toronto Water Gala
On Thursday, February 19, 2015, IISD hosted a special event in Toronto on water to celebrate Canada’s unique Experimental Lakes Area (IISD-ELA), which is now managed by IISD
On Thursday, February 19, 2015, the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) hosted a special event in Toronto on water.
The event celebrated Canada’s unique Experimental Lakes Area (IISD-ELA), which is now managed by IISD. From acid rain to the effects of mercury and phosphates in our waters, this world-renowned ecosystem of 58 interconnected lakes in Northern Ontario is a living laboratory for water science. The ELA provides the backbone for practical watershed policies and freshwater science centres around the world.
Thank you to Thomas Lovejoy who gave a wonderful keynote speech and to everyone who supported the event!
Your contribution to clean water
Your support matters. With your support, IISD can keep our living laboratory—IISD-ELA—open. IISD is a registered charitable organization in Canada and tax receipts will be provided for donations. Through your commitment, the science, education and innovation will continue. With this science, IISD will be able to continue its work of informing watershed and freshwater policies right here in Canada and around the world.



Photo credit: George Pimentel Photography
Scott Vaughan and Dan Gagnier with keynote speaker Thomas Lovejoy
Hon. Glen Murray, Gail Beggs, Gord Miller
Gatlin Smeijers, Megan Strachan and Piper Morley of Gowlings
Brent Wootton (WaterTAP) and Nancy Goucher (Environmental Defense)
Scott Vaughan, Dan Gagnier, and Premier Kathleen Wynne, with Board members and management of the Royal Conservatory of Music
Gordon and Pat McBean speak with Hon. Bill Mauro and Thinesh Varatharajah
IISD President Scott Vaughan and Chair Dan Gagnier with Premier Kathleen Wynne
Valerie Chort (Deloitte) and Frances Edmonds (HP)
Mike Vukets, Scott Vaughan and Premier Kathleen Wynne
IISD Canadian Vice-Chair Mike Vukets welcomes Premier and Water Gala guests
Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne delivers remarks at the inaugural IISD Water Gala
Sergio Marchi, President of the Canadian Electricity Association, with Premier Wynne
Pegi Dover (Canadian Environmental Grantmakers’ Network) and Carolyn Dubois (Walter & Duncan Gordon Foundation)
Philip Taylor, David and Yvonne Fleck, Eli Taylor and Karen Vukets
Nick Parker (Global Acceleration Partners) and Hank Venema (IISD)
Peter Robinson (David Suzuki Foundation) and Scott Vaughan (IISD)
Thomas Lovejoy, Senior Fellow of United Nations Foundation delivers keynote address
Sergio Marchi (CEA) with Karen Clarke-Whistler (TD)
Scott Vaughan with Mike Timmins and Jeff Bird of Cowboy Junkies
Matt McCandless (IISD-ELA) with Keith Desjardins (Gowlings)
Gord Miller auctions off beautiful Ed Burtynsky photo
Gord Miller auctions off trip to ELA, complete with Hunter boots
Margo Timmins of Cowboy Junkies
Cowboy Junkies perform at inaugural IISD Water Gala
Gavin Pitchford (Delta), Frances Edmonds (HP) and Jay Hooper (WWF-Canada)
IISD staff and Chair of the Board at the Water Gala
Upcoming events
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2026 Investment Policy Forum
The 17th edition of IISD's Investment Policy Forum will take place from September 16 to 18, 2026, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
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Join IISD and UNCTAD for a webinar on May 7 as we explore key findings and recommendations from two recent publications on national investment laws and their investor–state dispute settlement provisions. A panel of experts will discuss the risks posed by dispute settlement provisions in investment laws, emerging good practices, and the urgent need for coherence between domestic legal frameworks and international treaty reform efforts.
