About us

Équiterre seeks to make the necessary collective transitions towards an equitable and environmentally sound future more tangible, accessible and inspiring.

Équiterre has been a reliable, credible and unifying voice on environmental issues since our creation in 1993. We encourage Canadians to rethink the systems in which we live.

Through research, support, education, mobilization and awareness building initiatives, Équiterre contributes to the emergence of solutions, the transformation of social norms and the adoption of public policies. This progress is helping to establish new principles for how we feed ourselves, how we get around and how we produce and consume, that are designed for our communities, respectful of our ecosystems, in line with social justice and of course, low in carbon.

Over 30 years of environmental activism

Our beginning

Earth Summit, Rio de Janeiro, 1992: Activists from around the world gathered to discuss solidarity and respect for the environment.

Several Quebec participants decided to create a citizens' group to propose concrete solutions to such problems as pollution, large scale industrialization, and the exploitation of workers in the South.

This is how Équiterre was born in 1993.

Over 30 years of progress

Through research, support, education, mobilization and awareness building initiatives, Équiterre has been working for over 30 years to create favourable conditions in which systemic change is possible.

1993

Beginning of Équiterre

Équiterre is founded by 6 youth: Steven Guilbeault, Patrick Henn, Elizabeth Hunter, François Meloche, Sidney Ribaux and Laure Waridel.

1995

The start of our "Libre comme l’air" bike trips

Carbon neutral events that brought together hundreds of cyclists on different routes in Quebec to discover inspiring local initiatives in organic agriculture, sustainable mobility and regional environmental issues.

1996

The beginning of our Family Farmers Network

Based on the principles of community supported agriculture (CSA), Équiterre developped the organic basket model in Quebec to encourage local and organic food.

Équiterre starts to work on fair trade

A vast awareness-building effort to encourage fair trade products in Quebec.

2002

The start of our work to encourage local organic food among youth organizations

Montreal gets a bike share system

2003

We begin our awareness work on the “Cocktail transport”

Creation of the Quebec pesticides management code

2005

The Kyoto Protocol comes into effect

2006

Équiterre begins working on pesticides

2007

We begin our work promoting actions to reduce our environmental footprint : Changer le monde, un geste à la fois

2008

Équiterre contributes to Défi Climat, to educate and mobilize on the fight against climate change

2009

Quebec adopts North America’s most ambitious GHG reduction target

2011

We begin our work helping hospitals and other institutions in sourcing local organic food for their food services

Équiterre starts working on environmentally responsible events and activities

Inauguration of the Maison du développement durable (MDD) - Our demonstration project on how to build sustainable buildings, in cooperation with a number of groups

2013

Quebec unveils its strategy to position Quebec food in the institutional market

Quebec’s carbon market is established

2014

We begin our work to promote electric transportation

2015

Quebec issues a policy on transportation electrification

The Paris Agreement is signed

2016

Canada adopts its first Canadian climate plan

Funding is secured for the Route Verte, to save Quebec’s network of bike paths

2017

Quebec is the first province to adopt a zero emission vehicle (ZEV) standard

The Energy East oil pipeline project is abandoned

The government of Canada adopts a national clean fuel standard

Canada adopts a plan to implement a pan-Canadian framework buildings strategy

2018

We begin working on stopping fossil fuel subsidies

We begin our mobilization efforts around elections

We begin working on product durability and repairability

Adoption of Quebec’s first policy on sustainable mobility

Start of the federal carbon pricing system

2019

Équiterre starts working on soil health

We begin our work to raise awareness about “natural” gas

The government of Quebec announces the modernization of our deposit refund system

2020

Canada and Quebec commit to net zero emissions targets by 2050

Quebec adopts a climate governance framework

The Teck Frontier oil sands mine project is abandoned

A new Natural Climate Solutions Fund is created for Canadian agriculture

A new Quebec strategy to steer public institutions toward local food supply chains is established

Quebec’s Plan for a Green Economy (PEV) is unveiled

Équiterre's decolonization initiative begins

2021

Canada announces that the sale of new gas-powered vehicles will be banned as of 2035

Quebec pledges to end oil and gas exploration and development on its territory

The Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act is adopted

Vista coal mine expansion project is abandoned

GNL Quebec gas project is abandoned

The project to expand the Quebec City Port is abandoned

We begin raising awareness on the impact of light trucks' proliferation on our roads

We begin working on source reduction

2022

Montreal adopts new rules that prohibit the delivery of marketing flyers to homes without explicit consent

Funding for Quebec agro-environmental programs

Canada adopts a new Emissions Reduction Plan for 2030

Canada commits to publishing a standard on zero emission vehicles (ZEV)

Quebec becomes the first state in the world to ban oil and gas development on its territory

2023

Start of our awareness-raising work on climate disinformation and polarization

Launch of Alliance SaluTERRE for the protection of Quebec’s agricultural lands and activities

Quebec adopts the Act to protect consumers from planned obsolescence and to promote the durability, repairability and maintenance of goods

2024

Launch of the Shop Smarter, Eat Better microsite, providing consumers with concrete solutions for healthy eating that won't break the bank or ruin the planet.

2025

Adoption of a new strategic plan focused on agility and dialogue.

Major rollout of the “Shop Smarter, Eat Better” project to promote healthy and affordable food.

Historic public mobilization against the destruction of unsold new goods and the entry into force of new provisions on the reparability of goods in Quebec.

Launch of the campaign « On te lâchera pas avec les GES » and creation of an immersive initiative to debunk climate misinformation.

Active participation in consultations on energy efficiency and a just transition for sustainable jobs.

Completion of the 2021–2025 strategic plan with over 90% of the “Campaign of Possibilities” target achieved.

Our work

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A strong voice that carries far

+4 600 annual media mentions

463 000 annual views on our website

115 000 annual interactions on Instagram and Facebook

A committed community

20 600 donor members Support our projects
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75 employees

1 intern

11 volunteers