Connect

Story

Water person at heart. Policy advocate by purpose.

Freshwater policy advocate, researcher, and public-service professional

Michelle Jadormeo is a freshwater policy advocate, researcher and public-service professional working at the intersection of water governance, emerging technology, environmental responsibility and community engagement.

As a 2025–26 Geoffrey F. Bruce Fellow in Canadian Freshwater Policy at Toronto Metropolitan University, she examined how artificial intelligence and data-centre expansion are creating new pressures on freshwater systems. She investigated the policy gaps and regulatory blind spots surrounding these large-scale water users, particularly in Canada, the Great Lakes region and urban communities where water infrastructure is already under increasing strain.

Her goal is to help Canada move from reactive water management toward governance that is proactive, evidence-based, equitable and respectful of Indigenous water rights. Through the Bruce Fellowship–Canada Water Agency mentorship program, academic research and public-policy engagement, she has been developing practical approaches to some of the most urgent water challenges facing communities today.

Michelle’s work extends beyond research. She contributed to the national campaign seeking formal recognition of Canada Water Week, helping connect public education, digital outreach, civic participation and the federal parliamentary process. She also serves on the Board of Directors of Water Watchers, supporting community-led environmental stewardship and collective action to protect Ontario’s waters and the Great Lakes.

She is also an alumni member of Waterlution, reflecting her commitment to water leadership, climate resilience, youth engagement and community-centred action. Waterlution’s work emphasizes capacity-building, mentorship, innovation and inclusive participation in responding to water and climate challenges.

Portrait of Michelle Jadormeo
Across research, advocacy, mentorship and service, Michelle is guided by a simple belief: “Water is more than a resource. It is a relationship, a shared responsibility and a legacy we must protect for future generations.”

The story so far

It started with a question about resilience.

At the University of Toronto, where Michelle earned an Honours BA in Political Science with Academic Distinction, she contributed to research on how Sudan’s civil war, which began in April 2023, affected small and medium-sized businesses: how they communicated, adapted, and stayed standing. She presented that work at UTSC’s first Department of Political Science Research Symposium. The question stayed with her long after: what makes a system hold under pressure?

Canada holds a fifth of the world’s freshwater. Its rules weren’t built for what’s coming.

Climate change is making floods and droughts more extreme. Geopolitics is reshaping what neighbours want from shared waters. And a new kind of water user has arrived: AI data centres, rising across Canada, around the Great Lakes, and in cities close to water. Water permitting is handled province by province, and right now no one can say with confidence how much water these facilities use, or whether the rules are ready for them.

Then the question became the work.

In 2025 Michelle started the Master of Public Policy and Administration at Toronto Metropolitan University and was named a 2025–26 Geoffrey F. Bruce Fellow in Canadian Freshwater Policy. Her research used comparative policy analysis to find the gaps and blind spots in how Canada oversees data centre water use, from water reuse rules to proposals for floating and submerged facilities. Through the Bruce Fellowship–Canada Water Agency mentorship program, she learned from national leaders how to turn research into policy that is equitable, sustainable, and respectful of Indigenous water rights.

Timeline

  1. 2024Graduated from the University of Toronto with an Honours BA in Political Science, with Academic Distinction.
  2. 2024Presented research on how Sudan’s civil war affected small and medium-sized enterprises at UTSC’s inaugural Department of Political Science Research Symposium.
  3. 2025Started the Master of Public Policy and Administration at Toronto Metropolitan University, with the St. George’s Society of Toronto / Bill Davis Graduate Entrance Award.
  4. November 2025Named a 2025–26 Geoffrey F. Bruce Fellow in Canadian Freshwater Policy, and joined the Bruce Fellowship–Canada Water Agency mentorship program.
  5. 2026Joined the Board of Directors of Water Watchers.
  6. February 19, 2026The Canada Water Week e-petition, e-7165, opened for signature, sponsored by MP Terry Duguid.
  7. March 21, 2026The petition closed with 1,000 signatures gathered; the House of Commons validated 863.
  8. March 23, 2026MP Duguid announced the petition in the House of Commons, and Michelle was in Ottawa with the Bruce Fellows for the launch of the national Water Literacy Project.
  9. 2026Featured in TMU’s “How TMU is tackling the global water crisis.”
  10. April 29, 2026MP Duguid presented the petition to the House of Commons.
  11. May 2026Leader of Tomorrow at the 55th St. Gallen Symposium.
  12. May 29, 2026Published “Bruce Fellows take action to help protect Canada’s freshwater resources” with the TMU Faculty of Arts.
  13. 2026MP Duguid visited TMU to meet the Bruce Fellows.
  14. June 10, 2026Water Canada covered the campaign.
  15. June 12, 2026The government tabled its response to the petition.
  16. June 2026The Bruce Fellows met the International Joint Commission in Ottawa to talk about Canada–US transboundary water relations and careers in freshwater policy.
  17. September 25, 2026Hosted the first Beyond Tomorrow conference, a youth leadership seminar with Suzuka Nakamura and Tom Rutherford MP.
  18. October 2026Graduated with a Master of Public Policy and Administration from Toronto Metropolitan University.

Education

Master of Public Policy and Administration (MPPA)

Toronto Metropolitan University, 2025–2026

Full-time. Recipient of the St. George’s Society of Toronto / Bill Davis Graduate Entrance Award, which recognizes academic excellence among incoming full-time MPPA students.

Honours BA, Political Science, with Academic Distinction

University of Toronto, 2024

Canadian politics, international relations and public-policy research. Contributed to research on how the civil war in Sudan affected small and medium-sized enterprises, and presented it at UTSC’s inaugural Department of Political Science Research Symposium.

Service

  • Board of Directors, Water Watchers (since 2026): community-led stewardship and collective action for Ontario’s waters and the Great Lakes.
  • Alumni Member, Waterlution: water and climate leadership, mentorship, and youth action.
  • Volunteer, Journey Home Hospice: compassionate care for people experiencing homelessness.
  • Former volunteer, Canadian Red Cross.
  • Youth empowerment and gender equity through non-profit organizations.
  • Mentor, TMU Tri-Mentoring Program, during the MPPA.
  • Student representative, TMU MPPA Program Council, during the MPPA.
  • Academic assistant, Power and Influence in Canadian Politics, supporting undergraduate learning, civic literacy and democratic engagement.

What she stands for

  • Forward-looking
  • Equitable
  • Evidence-based
  • Rooted in respect for Indigenous water rights

Where she’s headed

Michelle wants to help build the next generation of Canadian freshwater policy: forward-thinking rather than reactive, equitable, and rooted in respect for Indigenous water rights. The goal is a more resilient, water-secure Canada.