Ready, Set, Network!

I am a Registered Professional Planner (RPP). I obtained my Bachelor of Arts in City Studies Co-op and Political Science from the University of Toronto in 2017 and a Master of Science in Planning from the University of Toronto in 2020. Since then, my professional journey has unfolded through diverse work and volunteering experiences on a global scale.

In 2017, I participated in the Kakihashi Project, venturing to Japan to study and learn about the rebuilding efforts in the tsunami-devastated cities of northeastern Japan. The same year, I joined Parks Canada’s Northern Engagement team in Vancouver, gaining valuable insights into the West Coast and contributing to Parks Canada’s conservation efforts. That summer also saw me in the Canadian High Arctic and Greenland as part of the Students on Ice expedition, focusing on understanding the impacts of climate change and acknowledging the significance of Indigenous knowledge in conservation. Subsequently, as a delegate at the IMPAC4 conference in La Serena, Chile, in September 2017, I deepened my understanding of international marine conservation efforts. In 2018, I became part of the Ocean Bridge program, undertaking visits to Haida Gwaii and the Gulf Islands to explore marine conservation within a Canadian context.

Motivated by my Arctic experiences, I enrolled in the Master of Science in Planning program at the University of Toronto in the fall of 2018. Throughout the program, I collaborated with exceptional classmates and learned from leading professors, gaining a profound understanding of decolonizing the planning process and the importance of working with Indigenous communities, and knowledge to reshape existing planning structures. As part of this program, I co-produced a report on the significance of mentorship for BIPOC students and early professionals in planning. My thesis, which explored planners’ obligations to the Dish with One Spoon treaty in Southern Ontario, received recognition.

Since graduating in 2020, I have applied my expertise working for Parks Canada on their Indigenous Relations team, collaborating with Indigenous partners on diverse projects. Since June 2022, I have worked at Transport Canada’s Indigenous Relations Unit in Ontario, focusing on files related to the Canadian Navigable Waters Act (CNWA), Cumulative Impacts of Marine Shipping (CEMS), and the Ocean Protection Plan (OPP).

My professional interests lie in youth engagement, urban planning, Indigenous relations, and fostering non-scientific engagement in marine conservation.

Larissa enjoys the challenge of understanding complex river systems such as the Ottawa River and learning about the watershed collaboratively with other freshwater organizations, Algonquin Communities, authorities, researchers and citizen scientists. She feels strongly that helping to build a stronger insight of rivers and watersheds is a key way to engage with people and encourage action that protects water and waterways.

Larissa holds a BSc.H in Environmental Science from Concordia University and a Masters in Resource and Environmental Management from Dalhousie University. Larissa’s favourite river activity is to explore the tributaries and see how these smaller streams have shaped the land around them.

Leading sustainability and asset management at Dillon Consulting, Darla works with leaders in the municipal and private sector to deliver sustainable services. In her previous role as Executive Director of the Ontario Coalition for Sustainable Infrastructure (OCSI), Darla helped advance sustainable infrastructure by focusing on innovation in municipal procurement, sustainable funding, and communication to convey the value of infrastructure and asset management. A speaker at various conferences across the country on climate change and municipal infrastructure, Darla is adamant that strategic thinking and public engagement are essential in solving the infrastructure deficit.

Karissa Aubie is a Project Manager at the Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA), where she oversees water and wastewater infrastructure projects. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from Trent University and a Master of Science in Environmental Practice from Royal Roads University. Karissa is also a certified Project Management Professional (PMP). Her expertise includes environmental compliance, project management, and sustainable water management practices.

Terry Rees had been the Executive Director of the Federation of Ontario Cottagers’ Associations (FOCA) since 2004. FOCA is the largest waterfront landowner organization in Canada, representing 50,000 member families in 525 community associations. Ontario’s waterfront residential property owners collectively spend $11.44 billion annually, supporting 157,000 jobs and contribute over $700 million to local property taxes across rural and northern Ontario.

Terry is a member of many regional and provincial committees focussed on biodiversity, water and water management, rural economic development and more.

Terry has been regular attendee at the Water Canada Summit and has been a featured speaker at dozens of other conferences and events across Canada. He has a degree in economics from Western University, and a certificate in environmental management from Ryerson University. Terry was honoured with a Waters Next Award in 2012.
Terry currently lives in Peterborough, Ontario.