Riverkeeper Gala raises $300K to help protect, improve Ottawa River

When the Ottawa Riverkeeper’s signature gala was first launched 11 years ago, it began with a fun boat cruise on the river. All these years later, it’s back on the water where it belongs, in the NCC River House that’s become a popular attraction on the Ottawa River.

A community of Ottawa River supporters partied the night away inside the historic building Wednesday while completely surrounded by water. Absent was the heat wave that hit during last year’s gala, making it less tempting to want to jump in, or even dip one’s toe this time around.

Attendees mingled over food and drinks on the covered patio overlooking the water, helping to raise a gross total of $300,000 before the night was over. At one point, teams of rowers could be seen passing by as the sun was setting, creating a magical atmosphere.

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Inside the River House, attendees bid on silent auction items or caught the live music of River City Junction and Lyle Odjick. Returning as the presenting sponsor was the Insurance Bureau of Canada, represented by its national director of climate change advocacy, Jason Clarke.

The NCC River House is located just off the Sir-George-Étienne-Cartier Parkway, near Rockcliffe Park.

Evan Solomon felt a little emotional to be back in Ottawa. “I’m verklempt,” the returning event host shared at the pre-gala Chair’s Reception, borrowing a Yiddish word.

Solomon now lives in Manhattan, not far from the Hudson River, actually. He’s publisher of digital media firm GZERO Media and a member of the management committee for Eurasia Group, a political risk consultancy.

The former Canadian journalist hasn’t missed hosting a Riverkeeper Gala, yet. He formed some of his closest friendships from running with others along the waterfront paths. He also lived and worked close to the river during his years in Ottawa.

The VIP reception was held in the Ottawa Riverkeeper’s Learning Lab. It’s part of the organization’s River School, where students are able to gain knowledge about the watershed and fresh water ecosystem. It had been the dream of Ottawa Riverkeeper to create such an educational space for both young people and the general public. 

Solomon recognized the crowd’s support for Ottawa Riverkeeper and their promotion of awareness and stewardship of the river and its tributaries. “Long after we are all gone, our kids, our grandkids and many generations will be looking at that river, and swimming and drinking and fishing from this great river, because of what you’re all doing today.”

On hand was Laura Reinsborough, who’s both Riverkeeper and CEO of the non-project organization. She was joined by members of her board, including board secretary David Coletto, chair and CEO of Abacus Data.

The group’s landlord is the National Capital Commission. Its CEO, Tobi Nussbaum, attended, as did Ottawa-Vanier MP Mona Fortier and, briefly, Speaker of the House of Commons Greg Fergus, before heading back to work. He represents Hull-Aylmer. There were business leaders from both sides of the river, including prominent developer Gilles Desjardins, president and founder of Gatineau-based Brigil.

Justin Schurman, regional vice president of business financial services to RBC, presented a cheque for $180,000 to Ottawa Riverkeeper. The bank has invested more than $1 million over the past 10 years to help protect the watershed. Schurman told the room how much he loves the renovated River House, citing it as an example of “getting it really, really right” by creating an “outstanding” venue and capital attraction. The River House was formerly a run-down boathouse before the NCC renovated the century-old heritage building.

Ottawa Riverkeeper supporter Michel Drouin led a live auction that featured a number of experiential packages, including a trip to the Yukon courtesy of Air North and Muktuk Adventures. It was valued at $6,800. The discovery package prompted a bidding war between Kevin Desjardins and Jeff Mierins, owner of Star Motors of Ottawa. It looked as though Mierins was going to win with his generous bid of $8,000. That is, until Desjardins offered up $10,000. Organizers agreed to sell the trip to each of the supporters at their highest respective bids.

The Yukon trip wasn’t the only live auction item purchased by Star Motors. Its vice president and general manager, Yves Laberge, will get to rock on after winning the private suite at the Canadian Tire Centre to see Heart and Cheap Trick, donated by the Ottawa Senators Hockey Club.

Later that evening, underwater cave diver and explorer Jill Heinerth delivered a very poetic speech after taking to the stage as this year’s Honorary Riverkeeper. She was recognized for her passion, life’s work and ongoing commitment to supporting the Ottawa River. The Explorer-in-Residence of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society and recipient of the Governor General’s Polar Medal was gifted a special canoe paddle by the organization’s inaugural Honorary Riverkeeper, Mark Carney, former governor of the Bank of Canada.

Carney welcomed Heinerth into a community of stewardship that’s about “leaving a legacy that is greater than what we found.” Carney encouraged the crowd to read the new comprehensive watershed report card for the Ottawa River, recently released by Ottawa Riverkeeper. Its results reveal a watershed that’s under threat from recent human activity. It cites development, land use and climate change as factors that are reshaping Canada’s capital river system.

Spotted in the crowd was Dr. Rebecca Auer, who’s recently been announced as the new executive vice president of research and innovation at The Ottawa Hospital and the CEO and scientific director of the hospital’s research institute, taking over from outgoing research leader Dr. Duncan Stewart. She was there with her husband, Adam Auer, president and CEO of the Cement Association of Canada. It was one of the major sponsors. The couple was familiar with the gala venue — it’s where they held their wedding celebration 18 years ago.

caroline@obj.ca