Conclusion
The participants of the Forum on the St. Lawrence held on March 27, 2012, expressed the general opinion that it achieved its objectives and proved to be a resounding success. It was an efficient means for establishing initial contact between the stakeholders concerned, conveying a certain amount of basic information on the St. Lawrence Action Plan (SLAP) and on integrated management of the St. Lawrence (IMSL), and looking into the future and at priority issues to be addressed during subsequent forums. Held shortly after the signing of the Canada–Quebec Agreement on the St. Lawrence 2011–2026, this first forum was a meeting place for close to 90 stakeholders from various sectors where a number of issues relating to the SLAP and IMSL were discussed. The initial contact between key stakeholders was indicative of the need for this type of meeting and the participants' desire to continue working together on the global issues relating to the St. Lawrence through transparent dialogue between players with interests in the St. Lawrence.
The SLAP co-chairs noted the quality of the concertation throughout the Forum, even going as far as saying that it was an indicator of the level of participatory experience among Forum stakeholders and the great opportunities this opened up for continued concertation through the Forum and regional tables. They also pointed out that the various panel members had shown a clear vision of what they were expecting from integrated management and of how they could contribute to it. Lastly, they indicated that reappropriation of and access to the River appeared to be issues with which many of the stakeholders were concerned, while making the distinction between collective ownership and ownership by shoreline residents.
The municipal sector's willingness to play a leading role in the IMSL was asserted throughout the day-long session, particularly by Ms. Rouleau; this opinion was shared by Mr. Labeaume, who showed his enthusiasm for water issues in a place such as Quebec City.
The co-chairs reiterated the Forum organizers' hope that guests would share the information and outcomes of the discussions with their entire network to keep the wheels turning until the next Forum.
From the Forum emerged certain recommendations that will be of use for future meetings. These recommendations are based on the following comments received from Forum participants and organizers alike:
1. Provide more opportunities (workshops, round tables, breaks, etc.) to foster exchanges between stakeholders and participants. The point is to not only highlight the concertation between players, but also to allow them to showcase their accomplishments.
2. Hold the Forum over two days to allow more time to properly address the themes.
3. Communicate the considerations ahead of time in order to make more progress during the Forum.
4. Increase the number of players and users from various communities and reduce the number of government representatives at the Forum.
5. Select themes that will tackle complex issues requiring a high degree of concertation. Organizers should take into account the results of the issue prioritization workshop to choose future themes.
Moreover, some Forum participants mentioned the importance of establishing a transparent and ongoing means of communication on the SLAP and IMSL to drive and support the various concertation efforts on the St. Lawrence.
Future forums, to be held annually in the fall starting in November 2012, will alternately address issues deemed to be a priority by the stakeholders. The Forum will thus continue its role in implementing the IMSL by providing a place where stakeholders can work together, where cross-cutting issues pertaining to the St. Lawrence can be addressed, and where information, ideas and solutions associated with these issues can be shared.