Chair of Toronto and Region Conservation Foundation Board of Directors Appointed to Ontario’s Advisory Panel on Climate Change

Toronto and Region Conservation Foundation (TRCF) is proud to share that Patricia Koval, Chair of TRCF’s Board of Directors, has been appointed to Ontario’s Advisory Panel on Climate Change.

Patricia Koval joins Ontario Advisory Panel on Climate Change
Patricia Koval

Announced today by the Province of Ontario, Chair Koval will join a panel consisting of experts on climate change resiliency, with experience across a variety of sectors, including not-for-profit, agriculture, and insurance.

Marking further progress on the Province’s commitments to its draft Made-In-Ontario Environment Plan, the Advisory Panel on Climate Change will provide expert advice on the implementation of the Province’s climate change actions.

In addition to serving on TRCF’s Board of Directors, Chair Koval is also a corporate director and lawyer who currently serves on the Boards of the Turtle Survival Alliance, the Chelonian Research Institute, and the Advisory Council of the Wildlife Conservation Society. She formerly chaired the Board of World Wildlife Fund Canada.

From the Province of Ontario news release:

Ontario’s government continues to make significant progress towards further consultation on and implementation of key commitments outlined in the Made-in-Ontario Environment Plan over the past year. Today, the government announced another step forward in the plan with the establishment of a new advisory panel on climate change.

Jeff Yurek, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, recognized the one-year anniversary of the draft Made-in-Ontario Environment Plan at the Centre for Urban Innovation at Ryerson University today. He introduced the new advisory panel on climate change and outlined how they will provide expert advice on the implementation of the province’s climate change actions — especially how Ontarians can prepare for the costs and impacts of climate change.

“Our Made-in-Ontario Environment Plan is our roadmap to providing effective and affordable solutions to address climate change and protect our environment,” said Minister Yurek. “I am proud of the progress we have made so far and look forward to the advisory panel’s advice on how we can continue to take action on our plan’s climate change commitments in a way that respects hardworking Ontarians and balances a healthy environment with a healthy economy.”

The advisory panel on climate change consists of experts on climate change resiliency who have experience in a variety of sectors, including the not-for-profit, agriculture, and insurance sectors. The panel includes Paul Kovacs as the Chair and Lynette Mader as the Vice-Chair.

“The knowledge exists to prevent losses from flooding, wildfire, and other climate extremes,” said Mr. Kovacs. “Members of the advisory panel on climate change look forward to working with the Government of Ontario to champion climate resilience. Working together, we can break the alarming trend of rising severe weather damage to homes, businesses, and public infrastructure. Action on climate resilience is a critical element of a comprehensive strategy on climate change.”

This is one of many actions the government has taken over the past year to help protect Ontario’s natural environment, as part of the Made-in-Ontario Environment Plan.

As we move forward, the plan will continue to evolve with new updates and information as we continue to consult and collaborate with stakeholders and other governments to implement our plan to protect our air, land, and water, address litter and reduce waste, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and help communities and families prepare for climate change.