Team & Partners

We have all heard this dreaded saying “follow your passion”; was there ever a phrase more intimidating to some of us? What we should be telling people is, in fact, to follow their curiosity, because those who have a passion are probably already following it. And piquing one’s curiosity is what this is all about because curiosity has the amazing ability to unleash unexpected chain-linked events that make life delightful. 

So here is the story of how this all began… a few people, with little in common but their growing concern for a seemingly bleak future, followed their curiosity and journeyed into an eye-opening path which helped them acquire the knowledge and hope that turned their distress into relief, and their concerns into an eagerness for action. Fully invested in applying their new-found passion to their daily lives, they began to brainstorm a series of projects which eventually led to the start of this Transition Town group. EcoTransition was thus born, helped by wonderful allies who share our vision for a healthy and abundant future.

Through EcoTransition, we hope to raise awareness amongst our community towards environmental sustainability and self-reliance, through education, community advocacy and involvement, as well as skill sharing and project development.

  • My fascination and my curiosity towards food, plants, gardening, and nature are boundless. Though my related skills are, at best, adequate. In fact, if you saw the state of my droopy, browning spider plant, you’d think my green-thumbs seem rather incompetent. This, however, does not prevent my eagerness to learn! My ever-so-pushy inquisitiveness has led me to attentively read (okay, skim) so many books, participate in workshops (mushroom growing, balcony farming, medicinal herb foraging, natural cleaning-product making, so on and so forth), and finally, get certified in permaculture! That’s right, I am an official real-life permaculturist that can recite every principle and pattern found in nature. Although, I still can’t seem to differentiate poison ivy from most other small-sized green-leafed plants.

    Thus my quest to learn continues, which is how I got myself implicated with EcoTransitionMtl, a non-profit aimed to educate, promote and facilitate eco-friendly projects and activities. Through this role, I dream and hope to open doors for those who, like me—or perhaps more advanced than me—wish to bind their efforts with those of their community members, for a greener, more resilient and self-sufficient city, with fresher, more accessible food, flowers, trees, honeybees and medicinal teas! 

  • Max is a successful entrepreneur who has been doing philanthropic work for the past years. He is passionate about helping people and also passionate about nature and responsible farming, which is why he founded EcoTranstitionMTL, to help the population to transition to a better and  greener way to produce fresh nutritional products.

    Picture by: Alice Triquet.

  • i support EcoTransitionMtl with all things related to social media and web development. I am a researcher and designer based in Montreal/Tio’tia:ke and Mexico City. I’m passionate about community organizing, urban agriculture, sociology, beekeeping, and participatory design—among many things.

    Before joining EcoTransitionMtl, I worked on various social and urban agriculture projects in Montreal. For example collaborating with organizations like Santropol Roulant.

    Currently i am PhD student in Concordia University, enrolled in the INDI program, where I'm exploring participatory and playful design for cities. I co-founded and am the director of a social impact design agency called Mutual Design. My expertise lies in design research, but I'm also pretty handy with the creative components of designing websites and branding.

  • My collaboration with EcoTransitionMTL on the Vertical Micro-Farm project started in 2022. I am an entrepreneur and educator based in the Eastern Townships. My curiosity fuels my hope that every day brings something new to discover regarding how our society can collaborate better with nature to help feed our communities fairly.

    Having completed my teacher training degree from l’Université de Sherbrooke, I always loved to connect with people by sharing knowledge. This lead me to the Certificate in Horticulture et gestion d’espaces verts from the University of Laval. During this time, I founded Organigramme Horti-Conseil to advise and empower people to learn more about urban farming. I’m also involved in my community as a municipal councillor.

  • I'm Ecco, an Environmental Octovist and ETM's Spokesperson and Mascot. My role revolves around education and awareness. I'm excited to learn more about the human world and put my tentacles to work in order to concretize my dreams of protecting biodiversity and ecosystems.

    My journey began after a polluting incident forced me away from my home and cost me two tentacles. I regrew them, thankfully, but many of my friends weren't as lucky. Now, I'm on a mission to connect with humans and encourage sustainable living in the hopes of regenerating my home’s ecosystem, and ultimately, all humid environments.

A Special Thank You to…

Our Allies and Partners

Demain le Québec

An initiative started by the David Suzuki Foundation, Demain le Quebec successfully developed a platform that connected all Transition Town groups within the province, thus creating a network where we can all collaborate, inspire, learn from and support each other. They help equip Quebecers who wish to contribute, each in their own way towards a fairer, greener and more democratic world. Demain le Qc has provided continuous support, networking opportunities and educational tools to EcotranstionMTL.

TransitionNDG

Transition NDG, a transition town group that started more than a decade ago, has shown us the ropes on where and how to begin all this. Their initiatives have inspired and motivated us greatly.

P3 Permaculture: People for the Profit of the Planet

P3 Permaculture is a social enterprise that promotes appropriate ecological and social solutions to the collective challenges of today. They are both a permaculture design firm and a school. They believe in high quality and accessible education. EcoTransitionMTL would have never come to fruition without the safe educational space provided by P3. 

Shout out to Max Gagné, Lauren Chamberlain, Jian Tang, Fred Sahyouni and all our friends, family and folx who have generously provided time and effort to help us in various ways…