Since 2021, Laval ZéN has patiently woven its collaborative network between institutions, citizens, and soon community organizations and businesses, in a shared desire to make the socio-ecological transition a collective reality. A joint interview with Pierre-Luc, project manager, and Sophie, recently appointed community development project officer. 

 

CRE de Laval: Can you introduce your roles within the Laval ZéN project?  

Pierre-Luc: I have been at CRE de Laval since 2021 and I coordinate the Laval ZéN project, a platform for consultation on the socio-ecological transition in Laval.   

Sophie: I have been the community development project officer for Laval ZéN since October 2024. I coordinate, together with Pierre-Luc, the working group created within a partnership with Laval’s Regional Social Development Policy (PRDS). I notably support community organizations in their transition efforts.  

 

CRE de Laval: Where does Laval ZéN come from?  

Pierre-Luc: Laval ZéN was born in 2021, launched by the Front commun pour la transition énergétique. The idea was to think about the planning of the socio-ecological transition at the territory scale, involving local actors and opening dialogue on these issues. With the University of Montreal and the Chemins de transition project, we structured a process in five major steps: an assessment of the territory, a collective vision, transition paths, a regional plan, and now the concrete implementation of this plan. 

 

CRE de Laval: Who participated in the early phases of the project?  

Pierre-Luc: At the beginning, it was mostly 12 institutions that mobilized, including the City of Laval, Collège Montmorency, Société de transport de Laval, the Chamber of Commerce, the school service center, and the integrated health and social services center of Laval. Partners contributed at each stage, either by mobilizing their networks, bringing expertise, or engaging in action. 

 

CRE de Laval: Citizens were also mobilized to build the project, is that right?   

Pierre-Luc: Indeed, it was important that all actors in Laval be involved, including obviously citizens. We held about 25 future exploration workshops in schools, workplaces, with seniors… We presented possible scenarios for Laval and invited people to react to what they considered desirable or not. This allowed us to build, based on their concerns and aspirations, a collective vision of what Laval could be in 2050, once the socio-ecological transition is completed…  

 

CRE de Laval: And today, the project is evolving towards a new phase ... 

Sophie: Yes. While Laval ZéN was initially driven by institutions, we now want to open the process to businesses, citizen collectives, and community organizations. These actors have very different realities and it is important to work with them on the best ways to support their transition. It is with this in mind that we designed the functioning of the Working Group on the Socio-Ecological Transition within the framework of Laval’s Regional Social Development Policy, which will include members of Laval ZéN.  

Pierre-Luc: We have just formalized the working group, which aims precisely to bring together all these new partners. This new structure will coordinate efforts, co-create tools, and encourage concrete projects on the ground. The goal is to create a space conducive to meetings and exchanges between the different actors of the transition, to provide them with the tools necessary to get informed, trained, and to initiate socio-ecological transition projects on the territory of Laval. 

 

CRE de Laval: What tools are already planned?  

Sophie: A mapping of ongoing transition initiatives in Laval, a common glossary to facilitate exchanges, guides and tools to support the elaboration of action plans.   

Pierre-Luc: These tools will be designed according to the needs expressed by members of the working group. We want everyone to identify with the process, whatever their situation. So the list is not final!   

 

CRE de Laval: What is the “regional transition plan”?  

Pierre-Luc: It is the result of a prospective process launched in 2021. Members selected nine milestones that were deployed into twenty-one actions. This concerns, for example, the importance of culture, education linked to the transition, food security, mobility and housing.   

 

CRE de Laval: CRE de Laval: What if an organization wants to join the SET Working Group?  

Sophie: It’s possible right now! We’re launching a tour of organizations this summer to present the working group and invite new organizations to join us. They can contact us to book a presentation.

 

CRE de Laval: Who is the Working Group aimed at today?  

Pierre-Luc: To all organizations. Whether you are a business, a citizen collective, or a community organization, we can help you better understand the issues related to socio-ecological transition, equip you, find partners, and take action.

If you are a curious, engaged organization, or simply looking for meaning in a world in transition... Laval ZéN is here for you.

 

CRE de Laval: What is your hope for Laval ZéN in the coming years?  

Sophie: My hope is that Laval ZéN becomes a living and inspiring community where collaboration and action make a tangible difference in the daily lives of Laval residents and contribute to a resilient and sustainable future. 

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You want to know more or be invested? Write to Laval ZéN team to book a presentation in your organization this summer.