Our achievements in 2024
Year 2024 has been full of initiatives and results, and we can already measure the impact of our actions. It is with you and thanks to you that Fondation Rivières continues to act on a regional and national scale, conduct field research, and develop innovative new tools. This is an opportunity to take a quick look back, see what worked, and lay the groundwork for what’s to come…
Water quality
Since the publication of our last report, Fondation Rivières has actively contributed to the preservation of Quebec's waterways. Notably, we have ensured the meticulous monitoring of the water quality in Beloeil for the region's first open-water swimming pool, thus ensuring the safety of swimmers through a combination of traditional and faster analyses.
This year, Fondation Rivières also published the 5th edition of the Wastewater Report Card, which highlights a decrease in the number of spills in Quebec, but accompanied by a drastic increase in their intensity and duration, exacerbated by climate change. We have pressured the government to adopt a new indicator to measure the real impact of wastewater spills on the environment.
Faced with the destruction of wetlands, Fondation Rivières has pressured Northvolt throughout the year to minimize its impact on the Richelieu River by organizing several meetings with the company and by publicly addressing its North American president. The Foundation developed the AuditEAU tool to make information on wastewater treatment plant performance more accessible, a tool that has been adopted by the Ministry of the Environment. These initiatives reflect the Foundation’s ongoing commitment to protecting rivers and improving water management in Quebec.
Access to water
We successfully mobilized over 250 people by organizing five Grand Splash events, notably in Montreal, Chambly, Sainte-Martine, Saint-Denis-sur-Richelieu, and Batiscan. The goal: to demand better public access to Quebec’s shorelines in areas where access is lacking. Fondation Rivières is fighting to bring nature back into cities and contribute to social justice, as water is a collective resource. Discussions are ongoing with the Old Port and M
This summer, Fondation Rivières successfully mobilized several citizens and elected officials from the Laurentians for the first edition of the Grande Descente on the Rivière du Nord, held as part of World Rivers Day. In total, more than 200 people paddled 10 km of the river in Mirabel, acting collectively to improve water quality and accessibility to the Rivière du Nord. The descent concluded with a dinner and celebration featuring Paul Piché, Marc Hervieux, and Salomé Corbo.
"We were invited by Fondation Rivières to participate in the first edition of the Grande Descente. I was there as the godmother of the Rivière du Nord, a role that consists of giving a voice to a river that needs love. And there are many rivers in Quebec that are lacking love, far too many!"
Since September, Fondation Rivières and COVABAR have launched a major consultation around the Rivière Richelieu. More than 51 participants, including municipalities, tourism organizations, and river users, have taken part in this initiative to map access points and create an action plan aimed at better protecting the river, promoting balanced coexistence on the water and along the shore, and providing quality access for citizens. Essentially, the goal is to create a model for sustainable coexistence where both residents and visitors can enjoy the river.
Energy and hydroelectric dams
This year, Fondation Rivières campaigned againstBill 69 alongside the Regroupement des organismes environnementaux en énergie (ROEÉ) and the Coalition large sur l’énergie (CLÉ) to denounce the privatization of energy, as well as its consequences on rivers. The Côte-Nord is one of the regions most threatened by large energy projects, with a significant number of rivers still harnessable in the area. Furthermore, our campaign related to Bill 69 has been successful: over 1,000 engaged individuals signed and sent a letter to Minister Fréchette urging her to remove the 100-megawatt limit from the government's Bill 69.
In recent months, Fondation Rivières has worked closely with local community and environmental organizations to form the " Vigilance énergie et industrie Côte-Nord" committee, which is part of the "Regroupement vigilance énergie Québec". Local mobilization is crucial to prevent more rivers from being harnessed. We have given severallectures to support local activists, particularly on the TES Canada project, which undermines the social acceptability of the wind power sector, essential to the energy transition. One of the local activists against the TES Canada project was present with us at the Parliamentary Commission in Quebec on energy (Bill 69).
"Please, leave our rivers alone on the Côte-Nord. The Haute-Côte-Nord has already given enough to hydroelectric development."
Commissions, submissions, and public representations
Each year, Fondation Rivières strives to protect the waterways and rivers of Quebec by advocating for environmental issues with the provincial government, the federal government, and municipalities. This year was no exception, as we submitted 4 briefs and testified at 4 commissions and other government consultations. We also gave several lectures at the request of citizens or as part of themed days.
We may be modest in size, but we have big ambitions. Next year, we will be drivers of innovation and strengthen our partnerships, never settling for the current situation. We will always act in a constructive and pragmatic way to tackle the challenges related to water.
2024 en un coup d'œil
de qualité de l’eau
au gouvernement provincial cette année
et une Grande Descente
à nous encourager et nous supporter
We have become a natural reference in the public arena for sanitation and hydroelectricity issues.
Our impact is even greater with the support of our donors.
