The AquaAction team, issue leaders and our finalists.
What a memorable moment with our incredible AquaHacking Quebec community! Our expedition to Rouyn-Noranda brought together passionate minds, all committed to the rehabilitation of watersheds affected by mining and other industrial activities in Québec.
We chose Rouyn-Noranda as the site of our expedition through our collaboration with Collectif Territoire, a citizen-led collective dedicated to defending and revitalizing natural environments impacted by mining operations. Based in Abitibi-Témiscamingue, this collective brings together researchers, artists, activists, students, and residents, and focuses on the intersection of Indigenous, scientific, and community knowledge to strengthen connections to the land. Their local expertise and human-centered approach enrich our work as part of AquaHacking Québec 2025, and we are thrilled to count them as allies.
Nestled in Abitibi-Témiscamingue region, Rouyn-Noranda is a mining town shaped by its past, yet deeply committed to building a more sustainable future. One of the most powerful symbols of this transition is Lake Osisko, a body of water at the heart of the city that has long suffered from urban and industrial pollution.
Lake Osisko Walk
We began with a welcoming circle where everyone shared their joy at being present and their desire to learn, grow, and build connections. It was moving to see how deeply everyone shared a common passion, despite the diversity of their projects. Very quickly, the tone was set for a spirit of community and collaboration to outweigh any sense of competition. For one weekend, all the finalists of the Challenge came together as one single team.
A powerful moment was the presentation on Lake Osisko – a symbol of hope for the restoration of aquatic environments, located on the ancestral territory of the Anicinabek. Since 2018, the local community has been actively engaged in improving the health of the lake – through science, education, art, and innovation. The message was clear: the lake comes first.
Another key moment of our stay was our visit to the Centre for Technological Innovation in Mining Waste (CTRI), a key player in applied research on the recovery and reuse of mining waste. CTRI plays a crucial role in developing innovative and sustainable technologies that help reduce the environmental impact of the mining industry. For us, it was a valuable opportunity to better understand the real-world challenges of waste management and to see how science can contribute to local solutions. This visit allowed our finalists to connect directly with field experts, deepen their thinking, and ground their ideas in the reality of the region. It was a formative step that enriched the expedition.
The presentations by Geneviève Aubry, Anna Mapachee, and the CTRI team gave us valuable insights into the history of the lake, the importance of Indigenous knowledge, and the creative ways the community is coming together to protect water.
Anna Mapachee's Presentation CTRI Visit Geneviève Aubry's Presentation
The energy was at its peak during the activity with the Challenge’s issue leaders. The finalists were inspired, energized, and motivated to deepen their thinking:
“ You could see the passion in their eyes.”
– Patrick Martel (issue leader)
“ I’m always blown away by their ideas and their way of innovating.”– Bianca Bédard (issue leader)
“ It really helped me structure my Business Model Canvas.”– Louis-Philippe Noel, team Sulys
“ A global view of the issues – everything is connected.”– Canyu Wu, team CADeau
The finalists were also deeply inspired by their conversations with community members who came specifically to meet them, as well as with Eddy Dureuil, co-founder of Écotime and AquaHacking Challenge alumni, Patricia Dorne, head coach of the AquaEntrepreneur program at AquaAction, and Mike Raymond, their mentor until the final. Through these meaningful, perspective-rich encounters, our finalists were able to envision the future of their solution beyond the Challenge. They realized that their project—ambitious and meaningful—is just getting started.
During our closing circle, we asked the group to describe their weekend in one word. Here’s what they said: Humility. Sharing. Resilience. Perseverance. Passion. Connections. Motivation. Discovery. Impact. Friendships. Pride... and more.
Here are a few quotes from our finalists:
“For me, the expedition was a human experience like no other. There’s something magical about coming together for a weekend around a shared passion. Suddenly, the competitive aspect of the Challenge gives way to a deeply collaborative energy. It’s beautiful to see all this support emerge between the different teams.”
— Louis-Philippe Noel, Team Sulys
“The expedition to Lake Osisko was a real gift,
a key moment for our team and its ideals.
Our solution draws deeper impact from this land,
anchored in the field, it finds its true stand.”— Canyu Wu, Team CADEau
“The finalists’ expedition was a real burst of energy: meaningful conversations, constructive reflection, and a supportive atmosphere that helped us refine our project and better understand the impact we can truly have.”
— Baptiste Nelaton, Team Rézo
We’re leaving Rouyn-Noranda with full hearts, minds buzzing with ideas, and stronger bonds than ever. The momentum is building, and this is just the beginning.
To sign up to the next AquaHacking challenge, click the link: https://bit.ly/4ctUDTH
