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RBC announces Blue Water Project advisory panel
North American water experts and community leaders to help
set strategy and develop assessment guidelines
TORONTO, January 30, 2008 — RBC today announced
the advisory panel for the RBC Blue Water Project, a 10-year,
$50 million charitable grant program to support global solutions
for freshwater preservation, conservation and access in Canada
and around the world.
"The individuals chosen for this panel are widely respected
for their leadership, expertise and insight on water,"
said Gordon M. Nixon, president and CEO, RBC. "We are
pleased to be working with such a distinguished panel of experts
and welcome their guidance and advice on the RBC Blue Water
Project."
Chairing the advisory panel is Rob de Loë, a professor
at the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada. Dr. de Loë's
work for the past 20 years has focused on water governance
and management, and he has been a consultant to government
and non-government organizations seeking advice on a range
of water-related topics. He has been an active member of Canada's
water management community since 1987.
"I'm privileged to be working with such a wide range
of experts from such diverse backgrounds, and am looking forward
to helping RBC ensure that its funds are directed to projects
that will make a real difference in Canada, the United States
and around the world," said de Loë.
The seven member panel is made up of water experts and community
and aboriginal leaders from across North America.
The advisory panel will help RBC develop a strategic approach
for its Blue Water Project activities, recommending key program
assessment criteria, including social and environmental impact
metrics. It will review specific project proposals and act
as a sounding board to help RBC identify water-related issues,
trends and developments.
The advisory panel consists of:
- Rob de Loë; (chair), Professor and Canada Research
Chair in Water Management, University of Guelph.
- David Brooks, Senior Advisor (Fresh Water), Friends of
the Earth Canada, and retired water specialist with International
Development Research Centre.
- Merrell-Ann
Phare, Executive Director, Centre for Indigenous Environmental
Resources.
- Danielle Droitsch, Executive Director, Bow Riverkeeper
and member of Alberta Water Council.
- Tom Siddon, Chair of Okanagan Water Stewardship Council
and former Federal Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and
Indian Affairs.
- David
Moreau, Water Expert and Professor, University of North
Carolina.
- George Yap, Program Director, WaterCan, and Coordinator,
Sanitation and Water Action Network.
The RBC Blue Water Project will offer three grant streams:
Visionary grants - multi-year grants to global organizations
that show vision, foresight and innovation to support programs
around the world and in Canada; Leadership grants - annual
grants given to organizations that are leaders in providing
regional programs within North America, determined through
a 'request for proposal' process; and Community Action grants
- grants given to community-based organizations in Canada,
the United States and the Caribbean to support local projects.
RBC announced its first Visionary Grant recipient in late
2007, with a commitment of $10 million over ten years to the
ONE DROP Foundation, established by Cirque du Soleil founder,
Guy Laliberté. Additional Visionary Grants will be
announced later in 2008. Applications for Leadership Grants
will be accepted starting in April 2008. The Community Action
Grants stream will be open for applications in June, 2008.
For more information on the RBC Blue Water Project visit www.rbc.com/bluewater.
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Media contact:
Jackie Braden, (416) 974-2124
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