Montreal, November 22 2022

“I’ve done a lot of things at Earth Day but there’s one thing I haven’t done yet: pass the torch.”

Dearest collaborators, it is with a sense of accomplishment that I inform you that last May, I announced to the Board of Directors that I would be stepping down as President of Earth Day Canada at the end of this year.

Thirty years ago, under the influence of the global ecological movement, I asked my father and my friend Louis Aubin to be the signatories of the constitutive acts of this organization.

The road has not been smooth, but the results speak volumes! Fleuve et Musique, Rap des rapides, collections of hazardous materials, the Jardins des Capteurs, the Grand Splash, the organization of small and large events, the Dance-O-Thon, participation in the planting of over 700,000 trees, participation in the creation of one of the most important private direct-action funds in Quebec: the Fonds Éco IGA, the creation of the waste management certification, Action Reduction, the introduction of the first 4 zero-emission refrigerated trucks in North America, the construction of one of the largest private fast-charging networks in Canada: EcoCharge, the renewal of Earth Day in France, the relocation of a head office from Toronto to Montreal; to name but a few.

Today, it is a strong organization, known to all Quebecers and Canadians, with its head office in Montreal that I leave to the future generations.

To the partners, artists, spokespersons, members, board presidents and honorary president of the Banquet, you have been the thread that binds this organization. Thank you for allowing me to be your seamster.

To my past and present colleagues, thank you for supporting me, for carrying the dream and growth of the environmental movement with me, and for building a resilient organization for the future.

To the current team, you are in good hands. Enjoy the ride.

And to all of you, see you on the road to a future of zero emissions.

“Dearest Pierre, thank you for dreaming of a better world, for being bold and imaginative while introducing so many young environmentalists to environmental action and community living and to the madness of the Urban Banquet. So many businesses, cities and citizens have been touched at one time or another by Earth Day. With passion and determination, Earth Day has taken off under your leadership. No doubt, I have big shoes to fill! On behalf of all the employees, we wish you great success in your future adventures and hope that there will always be a special place for April 22 in your agenda!” – Valérie Mallamo (She/Elle), Executive Director, Earth Day Canada

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About Earth Day Canada

Earth Day Canada is an environmental organization that helps individuals, municipalities and organizations reduce their impact on the environment by taking concrete action on Earth Day and every day. In addition to a large-scale awareness campaign on April 22^nd, Earth Day Canada continues to roll out environmental programs and projects with proven positive impacts in areas such as waste management, food waste and sustainable mobility.

For information:

Léo Cressatti
Communication Director – Earth Day Canada
lcressatti@jourdelaterre.org