About
The Fondation Rivières is the only charitable organization dedicated to protecting Quebec’s lakes and rivers through local and national action, field research and the creation of innovative tools. For the past 20 years, we’ve been active on three fronts: preserving the natural character of waterways, ensuring water quality and guaranteeing access to shorelines.
We do this by helping cities and municipalities to improve water quality on their territory, with the aim of restoring access to water for all citizens. We make recommendations to governments based on our research. We support citizens’ groups to increase the scope of their actions and deploy mobilization campaigns. We intervene publicly to inform, raise awareness and call for political change.
Why protect our lakes and rivers?
- More than 80 municipalities still do not treat their wastewater. Many industries, such as agriculture, use archaic and polluting practices, contributing to the degradation of ecosystems.
- Not everyone has equal access to waterways. Public access is becoming increasingly rare due to the privatization of riverbanks, despite the fact that this is a way of adapting to climate change.
- With energy needs on the rise, Quebec’s last wild rivers are at risk of being artificialized to build power plants, even though alternatives exist.
Our values
- Rigor: Our positions are based on science and professionalism.
- Eco-citizenship: We believe that every Quebecer is an eco-citizen, with rights as well as duties towards rivers.
- Independence: We take the side of rivers and the Quebec public interest. We reject any influence that might interfere with our mission.
- Solidarity: We value mutual aid, collaboration and exchange.
Our Impact
Did you know that the canyon of the Rivière Sainte-Anne and the Sept Soeurs on the Rivière Rouge would be drowned behind a hydroelectric dam were it not for our intervention? They are among the 24 rivers preserved thanks to our unparalleled mobilization. This first victory for the Fondation motivates us to protect the last wild rivers by offering the government energy alternatives with less impact on the land and communities.
We are helping to improve public policy, particularly with regard to reducing wastewater overflows, and assisting elected representatives in solving this problem. We support them in opening up access to beaches, and we tackle the myths surrounding water quality.
To amplify our voice, we rely on influential spokespeople, including our co-founder Roy Dupuis. We count on over 4,000 members and supporters, as well as a vast network of collaborators and experts. In turn, we are members of a dozen coalitions.
As we pursue our mission, we contribute to healthy biodiversity, to helping Quebec society adapt to climate change, and to ensuring a healthy environment for future generations.
Activity report (in french)
