Ready, Set, Network!

In 2024 Mr. Goffin joined Toronto Metropolitan University as Water Policy Fellow in the School of Public Policy and Democratic Innovation and affiliated with the Bruce Fellowships in Canadian Freshwater Policy.

Prior to joining Toronto Metropolitan University Mr. Goffin spent more than forty-years in the Public Service of Canada, with Environment and Climate Change Canada, during which time he was engaged in policy develop and program delivery in a wide variety of areas including environmental protection, wildlife management, meteorology, water and ecosystem management, intergovernmental affairs, Indigenous relations and community outreach and engagement.

For more almost twenty years Mr. Goffin was responsible for leading Canada’s efforts to restore and protect the water quality and aquatic ecosystem health of the Great Lakes and in 2012 he was lead negotiator for Canada responsible for negotiation of the Canada-United States Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement.  In 2020 Mr. Goffin took on a new role, leading the creation of the Canada Water Agency.

Mr. Goffin received his undergraduate training in environmental studies from the University of Toronto, and has a Master of Science degree in Geomorphology, also from the University of Toronto.

Isaac Armstrong is a Ph.D. candidate in Biology at Queen’s University, specializing in paleolimnology. His research focuses on the ecological impacts of historical mercury and heavy metal contamination in the Cornwall waterfront area of the St. Lawrence River. Using subfossil chironomid assemblages, he examines long-term ecological changes caused by industrial pollution. His work supports environmental management and remediation efforts, and he has presented at seminars and published in the Journal of Great Lakes Research.

As Vice President, Professional Services & ESG at ECO Canada, Yogendra oversees the development and delivery of professional services to support the rapidly growing network of the Canadian environment and sustainability workforce. He provides strategic insight and technical support for environment and sustainability programs and works closely with a diverse range of stakeholders including government, industry, Indigenous partners, and the environment & sustainability professionals.

For over 25 years of his career in the Environment and Sustainability sector, Yogi has delivered projects in over 20 countries in Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America. Yogi holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Science and an MBA from the University of Alberta. He also supports a number of Canadian and international academic institutions, standard-setting organizations, and industry associations in various professional capacities.

Yogi leads ECO Canada’s Accreditation Program, Technical and Professional Services, ESG initiatives, and ECO Canada’s Indigenous programs focused on Indigenous training and employment.

Yogi’s areas of expertise and interests that can help or assist Carleton University students include; ESG, Sustainability, and the Environment.

Cathie O’Toole is the General Manager of Halifax Water and prior to that was Halifax Water’s Director of Corporate Services/CFO. Cathie has held senior roles such as Director of Finance/CFO and Director of Infrastructure and Asset Management with the Halifax Regional Municipality, and most of her career has been in the public sector and government business enterprises. As member of the Institute of Corporate Directors, Cathie enjoys contributing to the community and water industry through volunteering and serving on Boards. She currently serves on the American Water

Melissa is Director, Policy & Programs at Pollution Probe, a national not-for-profit, charitable organization that seeks to improve the health and well-being of Canadians by advancing policy that achieves positive, tangible, environmental change. She is responsible for leading the organization’s Circular Economy and Great Lakes Programs and also contributes to its transportation file. Since joining Pollution Probe in 2010, Melissa has worked in partnership with a wide range of stakeholders to find common solutions to challenging environmental issues. She has led a variety of research and development initiatives and public outreach and education campaigns related to environmental health, the Great Lakes, plastic waste, chemicals management and consumer engagement.