Our Philosophy

We are a not-for-profit coalition of partners whose common purpose is to promote the long-term viability of the Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence region.

Our Vision

We are working towards an environmentally, economically and socially sustainable Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence through a mutually beneficial inter-dependance of these factors.

Our Values

Our decisions and our actions are guided by the following values:

• Residents should prosper economically and socially within a sustainable community;


• Communities are empowered to shape and implement their own sustainability solutions;


• Coalition partners address sustainability in a proactive, comprehensive and interdisciplinary manner;


• The Coalition is community-based and membership led;


• The Coalition respects the mandate of its member organizations, agencies and businesses;


• The governance structure of the Coalition is democratic and facilitates transparent decision-making;


• Coalition partners communicate with mutual understanding and respect;


• Coalition partners strive to build consensus,and;


• The Coalition manages its human, material and financial resources in a responsible manner.

Our Mandate

As a forum of partners, the Coalition:

• Facilitates communications, networking and information sharing;


• Organizes and facilitates meetings, workshops, forums or task forces;


• Monitors the progress of implemented strategies, policies and regulations;


• Assists communities to build their capacity and achieve their sustainability goals;


• Facilitates access to expertise, and;


• Promotes awareness and education on sustainability.

Our Story

The Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence Coalition on Sustainability (Coalition -SGSL) was formally constituted in November 1999, with the mission to promote the long-term viability of the Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence ecosystem.

The founding meeting was the culmination of several years effort of broad consultation, issue identification, and partnership building among a diverse cross-section of stakeholders throughout the Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence Region. This meeting was held in Summerside Prince Edward Island on November 19-20, 1999.

The participants of this meeting formed a list (an agenda) of pertinent long-term issues occuring within watersheds and coastal ecosystems of the Southern Gulf, these issues act as guidelines for our Steering Committee -mainly responsible for ensuring that Coalition decisions are in line with our philosophy. Of the approximately 350 issues identified by our members, 16 emerged as being most relevant, with the following identified as the three top priorities-

1. Need to harmonize Government Policies,
2. Threats to natural habitat, and
3. Awareness and knowledge about our region

Since then, we have expanded and modified our priority list, as the needs of the Region are dynamic requiring us to change with them. Currently, we have 7 Working Groups ***Working Groups*** to promote, address, and act upon these priorities.

Our Internal Structure

Steering Committee (SC):

The Steering Committee is made up of, and is accountable to, Coalition members. It represents main stakeholder groups and is mainly responsible for ensuring that coalition decisions are in line with Coalition philosophy, by creating working groups and electing members of the Management Committee.

September Steering Committee Meeting.

The group is comprised of the following 20 people;

Harry Collins-Exectutive Director
Miramichi River Environmental Assessment Committee
133 Newcastle Blvd.
Miramichi, NB, E1V 2L9
Tel (506) 778-8591
Fax (506) 773-9755

Claudette LeBlanc-Project Officer
ACZISC
1226 LeMarchant St.
Halifax, NS, B3H 3P7
Tel (902) 494.1977
Fax (902) 494.1334

David Boyce-Executive Director
Southeast Environmental Association
P.O. Box 1500,
41 Wood Islands Hill
Montague, PEI, C0A 1R0
Tel (902) 838-3351
Fax (902) 838-0610

Jocelyne Gauvin-Coordonnatrice
Groupe de dveloppement durable du Pays de Cocagne
66 Lover's Lane
Cocagne, NB, E4R 2S5
Tel (506) 576-8247
Fax (506) 576-8247

Justin Huston-Coastal Zone Coordinator
Department of Agriculture and Fisheries NS
Bank of Montreal Tower 7th Floor
P.O. Box 2223
Halifax, NS, B3J 3C4
Tel (902) 424-2996
Fax (902) 424-1766

Marianne Janowicz-Coastal/Marine Specialist
NB Dept. of Environment and Local Government
PO Box 6000
Fredericton, NB, E3B 5H1
Tel (506) 457- 4923
Fax (506) 457-7823

John Legault-Senior Ecosystem Biologist
DFO
343 University Ave.
Moncton, NB, E1C 9B6
Tel (506) 851-6221
Fax (506)851-9745

Allister Marshall
Po'tlo'tek Fish & Wildlife Association
P.O. Box 542
Chapel Island, NS, B0E 3B0
Tel (902) 535-3317
Fax (902)535-3004

Kyle McKenzie-Coordinator
Canadian Climate Impact & Adaptation Research Network (C-CIARN)
1322 Robie Street
Halifax, NS, B3H 3J5
Tel (902) 494-6355
Fax (902) 494-3728

Denise English
Micmac Nation of Gespeg
783 boul Pointe-Navarre C.P. 69
Fontenelle, QC, G4X 6V2
Tel (418)368-6005
Fax (418) 368-1272

Lopold Bourgeois-Prsident
La Fleur du Pommier Ltee
C.P. 1068
Cocagne, NB, E4R 1N6
(506) 576-7946
(506) 576-6948

Guy Cormier
Maritime Fisherman's Union

Jean Goguen-Directeur
Commission d'amnagement du district de Kent
25, Boul. Cartier, Unit 145
Richibucto, NB, E4W 3W7
(506) 523-1820
(506) 523-1821

Francine Rousseau
Environnement Canada, CDR
15th floor Queen Square
45 Alderney Drive
Halifax, NS, B2Y 2N6
Tel (902) 426-8183

Dennis Simon
Elsipogtog First Nation
373 Big Cove Road
Elsipogtog, NB, E4W 2S3
Tel (506)-523-4736
Fax (506)-523-2009

The SC meets quarterly. To view minutes from past meetings click ***Archives***.

Members of the public are welcome to attend and participate in any or all Steering Committee meetings.
The next Steering Committee Meeting is Saturday February 26th, 2005
***SC Meeting Agenda -doc format***

Management Committee (MC)/Board of Directors (BOD)

The Management Committee is a sub-committee of, and is accountable to, the Steering Committee and is mainly responsible for managing programs and services to the members of the Coalition. It also promotes clear communications and recommends actions that ensure the Coalition stays focused on its objectives.

This groups meets once a year. To read over the minutes from last years meeting link to ***Archives*** and lookup AGM 2004.

This years AGM is scheduled for Friday April 22nd, and Saturday April 23rd 2005.

The group is comprised of the following 6 people;

John Legault-Senior Ecosystem Biologist
DFO
343 University Ave.
Moncton, NB, E1C 9B6
Tel (506) 851-6221
Fax (506)851-9745

Justin Huston-Coastal Zone Coordinator
Department of Agriculture and Fisheries NS
Bank of Montreal Tower 7th Floor
P.O. Box 2223
Halifax, NS, B3J 3C4
Tel (902) 424-2996
Fax (902) 424-1766

Allister Marshall
Po'tlo'tek Fish & Wildlife Association
P.O. Box 542
Chapel Island, NS, B0E 3B0
Tel (902) 535-3317
Fax (902)535-3004

David Boyce-Executive Director
Southeast Environmental Association
P.O. Box 1500,
41 Wood Islands Hill
Montague, PEI, C0A 1R0
Tel (902) 838-3351
Fax (902) 838-0610

Kyle McKenzie-Coordinator
Canadian Climate Impact & Adaptation Research Network (C-CIARN)
1322 Robie Street
Halifax, NS, B3H 3J5
Tel (902) 494-6355
Fax (902) 494-3728

Harry Collins-Executive Director
Miramichi River Environmental Assessment Committee
133 Newcastle Blvd.
Miramichi, NB, E1V 2L9
Tel (506) 778-8591
Fax (506) 773-9755

Executive Committee Members;

President: Harry Collins
Vice-president: Claudette LeBlanc
Treasurer: David Boyce
Secretary:Allister Marshall

Meet the Staff

Nadine Gauvin -Executive Director

Gilles Bourque - Administrative Assistant