Conference-experience | Le fleuve qui nous traverse *SOLD OUT*

Located in the heart of an archipelago of more than 300 islands, Montréal is part of a vast hydrographic network of which the St. Lawrence River is one of the main waterways. However, Montréal is not only bordered by the St. Lawrence and its confluences, but also by its tributaries. The activity Le fleuve qui nous traverse invites us not to turn our gaze towards the fluvial horizon, but to consider the various waterways that used to run through the island’s underground passages and still do so, whether natural or constructed (think of the city’s aqueduct and interchange networks), and that feed the St. Lawrence.   

From the Atwater plant in the heart of Verdun, we will first discuss the city’s water supply. Then we will set out in search of Montréal’s hidden and little-known rivers, those that—like the Saint-Pierre River—we have buried underground since the 19th century, but whose subtle presence on the surface can be detected by experts as well as by the city’s keen observers. From the land we will progress to the river, following old routes of the Verdun sewers and concluding on the river banks to talk about the future of our water management infrastructures. In this era of climate change, what are the existing risks facing our water network and what are the impacts of our water management on the biodiversity of the river? 

This event is part of the second season of the Montréalers and Islanders series. The Centre for Interdisciplinary Research on Montréal (CIRM) and Stratégies Saint-Laurent invite citizens, actors from the maritime sector, and the research community to meet on the shores of the St. Lawrence River to collectively reflect on the fluvial issues of the metropolis. The first season, recorded in June 2021, is available as a podcast.

This event is presented as part of the Semaine du Saint-Laurent organized by Stratégies Saint-Laurent. 

Scientific Director 

• Kregg Hetherington — Associate Professor, Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Concordia University

Guests 

• Louise Legault — Spokesperson, Les amis du parc Meadowbrook
• Pascale Rouillé — Urban Planner and President, Les Ateliers Ublo
• Danielle Plamondon — Urban Speleologist
• Yenny Vega Cárdenas — Lawyer and President, Observatoire international des droits de la nature

This event will take place, rain or shine. Registration is mandatory.

The vaccine passport and masks are no longer required to participate in this event, but please make sure to keep a distance, to wear a mask if you are approaching other participants, and to contact CIRM if you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms to cancel your registration.