See you on November 19 in Côte-des-Neiges — Annual General Meeting, inspiring panel discussion, neighborhood tour, and happy hour

📅 Tuesday, November 19, 2025
📍 6767 Chemin de la Côte-des-Neiges, Montreal
⏰ Annual General Meeting + Panel Discussion: 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
🚶 Neighborhood tour: 1:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
🥂 Happy Hour

👉 Registration (free / limited spaces)

Why participate?

• To learn about the alliance’s 2025 results and 2026+ strategic direction.

• To participate in the discussions and democratic decision-making at the AGM.

• To hear inspiring voices from community, feminist, Indigenous, and municipal movements.

• To explore Côte-des-Neiges and its local initiatives.

• To connect and celebrate over drinks.

Overview

Morning – AGM and Panel Discussion
8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

• Welcome, Networking

• Annual General Meeting: 2025 Reports, Finances, 2026+ Strategic Directions, Executive Committee/Student Council Elections, Open Mic Session

• Pause

• 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. — Panel: “Drawing Inspiration from Struggles to Guide the Transition”

👉 Check out the AGM digital handbook—Notice of Meeting, Agenda, and Supporting Documents

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Afternoon — Neighborhood Tour
1:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
An on-the-ground exploration of Côte-des-Neiges: local initiatives, inspiring places, and concrete transition challenges on the ground.

👉 Check out the tour itinerary

End of the Day — Casual Happy Hour
Casual conversations, networking, and a celebration to mark the end of the year.

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Panel — Drawing Inspiration from Struggles to Guide the Transition

In the second part of our AGM, don’t miss a thought-provoking discussion.

How can the struggles of the past and present guide us, inspire us, and shed light on the collective strategies that Montreal needs?
This panel will bring together four strong voices rooted in social, environmental, Indigenous, feminist, and municipal causes.

Prominent voices and leaders from social, democratic, and political movements are coming together to revisit the struggles that have transformed Montreal and Quebec—and those that will continue to shape our future:

• Marianne Giguère, a former Montreal city councilor known for her leadership in active transportation;

• Laurence Bherer, professor and expert on public participation and local democracy;

• Maïtée Labrecque-Saganash, author, host, and Cree activist committed to Indigenous rights and decolonial perspectives.

• Jean Panet-Raymond, pProfessor Emeritus at the University of Montreal, founder of the Quebec Council for Social Development and former president of the Canadian Council on Social Development

A dynamic panel discussion moderated by Sylvain A. Lefèvre to understand how changes have been orchestrated historically and inform our strategies for the future, and how stay engaged, and what lessons we can draw for today’s alliances.

Panelists

Maïtée Labrecque-Saganash

Maïtée Labrecque-Saganash, a native of Waswanipi in Eeyou Istchee, is a Cree author, host, poet, and activist dedicated to defending the rights of Indigenous peoples. She is a columnist for the Métro Newspaper and the magazine The Nation, she speaks out forcefully and with a firm grasp of the political, social, and regional issues affecting First Nations peoples. She also works as part of the regional communications team at the James Bay Cree Health and Social Services Council. On television, she has hosted the series Decolonizing History and Manaachihtow, which offer a critical and fresh perspective on historical and contemporary narratives.

Jean Panet-Raymond

Jean Panet-Raymond, professor emeritus at the University of Montreal, worked for many years as a community organizer before devoting his career to civic engagement and social development. As the founder of the Quebec Council for Social Development and former president of the Canadian Council on Social Development, he is currently involved with Vivre Saint-Michel en santé and has also been actively engaged for many years with ŒIL (Organization for Housing Education and Information) and Projet Genèse, where he advocates for social housing. For more than 30 years, he has been part of the fight to transform the Blue Bonnets site into an accessible and inclusive neighborhood. His career embodies a vision deeply rooted in collective action, social justice, and citizen empowerment.

Marianne Giguère

Marianne Giguère served as a city councilor from 2013 to 2025, elected to represent the Plateau-Mont-Royal borough in Montreal. During her three terms in office, she focused primarily on making cycling an efficient, safe, and accessible transportation option for the entire population of her city, particularly in her role as associate councilor for active mobility on the executive committee under Mayor Valérie Plante. In addition to championing a clear vision for infrastructure that promotes active mobility and street safety, Marianne has fostered ties between the city and the nonprofit sector to democratize access to cycling through the necessary social, collective, and advocacy measures.

Laurence Bherer

Laurence Bherer is a professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Montreal and co-holder of the Trottier Chair in Energy Transition, Governance, and Participation. Her research focuses on public participation, local democracy, and political engagement.

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Sylvain A. Lefèvre
Sylvain A. Lefèvre is a specialist in philanthropy, collective action, and social innovation. He directed CRISES from 2018 to 2024 and co-chaired TIESS, where he helped strengthen ties between research, community organizations, and institutional stakeholders. His work focuses on social and ecological transitions, foundations, social justice, and collaborative governance. Recognized for his accessible and rigorous approach, he regularly participates in panels, training sessions, and participatory initiatives.