Mayor Crystal Meloche of Lasalle Joins the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative
The Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative (Cities Initiative) is pleased to welcome Mayor Crystal Meloche and the Town of LaSalle, Ontario, to its growing coalition of more than 425 local government leaders working to advance economic prosperity across the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River Region while protecting the globally significant freshwater resources that sustain our quality of life.
As a member of the Cities Initiative, Mayor Meloche and LaSalle will work collaboratively with members from across the region in Canada and the United States to support healthy lakes and rivers, safe and affordable water for all residents, climate resilient communities, and economic transformation to build the Fresh Coast Economic Corridor from Lake Superior to the Gulf of the St. Lawrence.
Mayor Crystal Meloche of the Town of LaSalle, ON: “LaSalle’s connection to the Great Lakes is part of who we are as a community. Situated along the Detroit River, our waterfront has shaped our history and continues to play an important role in our community’s future. As we continue to enhance our waterfront and create more opportunities for residents and visitors to experience it, we also recognize our responsibility to be good stewards of the natural environment that makes it so special. Joining the Cities Initiative gives LaSalle another opportunity to learn from communities facing many of the same challenges and opportunities we are. I’m proud to have LaSalle at the table and look forward to bringing our community’s perspective to the conversation.”
LaSalle, located along the scenic Detroit River in southwestern Ontario, is one of Essex County’s largest and fastest-growing communities, with a population of more than 35,000. Renowned for its exceptional quality of life, the Town has invested heavily in its trail network, its infrastructure, LaSalle Landing waterfront, and recreation facilities. Strategically positioned near the Windsor-Detroit border, LaSalle offers direct access to Canadian and U.S. markets, supported by major transportation corridors and the Gordie Howe International Bridge.
Mayor Mat Siscoe of St. Catharines, ON, Canadian Chair of the Cities Initiative: “The Cities Initiative plays an important role in uniting community leaders to strengthen the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River Region. We’re pleased to welcome Mayor Meloche and the Town of LaSalle to our growing coalition of local and First Nation governments. At a time of rapid economic and environmental change, collaboration is essential to safeguarding our region’s vital lakes and rivers and ensuring that our region remains a global economic leader. Together, we are advancing the Fresh Coast Economic Corridor to create new opportunities for our communities and residents and improve the health of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River.”
Every new member of the Cities Initiative is a testament to the importance that municipal, First Nation, and Tribal governments place on protecting the region’s globally significant watersheds, preparing communities for extreme weather, modernizing aging water infrastructure, and position our CA$12.72-billion economy to be among the fastest growing in North America.