With all the challenges we have experienced over the course of the last year, the de Gaspé Beaubien family remains committed to freshwater preservation in Canada. With much anticipation, the online launch of the two new AquaHacking Challenges was held last January 25th. In spite of the Covid-19 pandemic, Aqua Forum and its partners will deliver a complete annual program spanning from coast to coast.
The Milles Iles River Challenge 2021
This 9th edition will be held in French with the participation of institutions from Quebec and across the country.
“We are so proud to return to Quebec and continue to develop solutions in collaboration with Quebec universities. AquaHacking was founded in Quebec, our home province, which is why we are so happy to return after two years of absence.” -Mrs. De Gaspé Beaubien
Co-organized by C.I.EAU and Aqua Forum, the Milles Iles River Challenge 2021 represents a unique opportunity for avid technophiles and young entrepreneurs to create innovative solutions for the critical freshwater and ecosystem issues faced by this region of Quebec.
In this edition, participants will have to choose between the 4 critical issues announced at the launch:
- Sewer Overflows
- Ice Cover of the River
- Avian Fauna and Water Quality
- Aquatic Habitats
Find out more about these issues here.
A consultative committee was created with experts from every sector: private, scientific, NGO, engineering, etc. This consultative committee will support the challenge throughout the project in order for each young innovator to receive the support they need.
Furthermore, each of these issues will be supported by important local figures in the freshwater sector. As well as acting as mentors, they will be involved in the process of developing the solution, namely by sharing their knowledge related to the targeted issues and their experience on the field as specialists. This support and mentoring process, motivated by an entrepreneurial spirit, fill the de Gaspé Beaubien family with an enormous sense of pride.
Precious Financial Partners
The de Gaspé Beaubien family would like to graciously thank their financial partners from Quebec for their support in this 2021 edition:
- The Quebec government, an important partner in the Milles Iles River Challenge 2021
- C.I.EAU, co-host of the Milles Iles River Challenge 2021
Western Canada AquaHacking Challenge
The invitation is also extended to all the young Canadians who wish to contribute to the resolution of the freshwater issues confronted by British-Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. Co-organized by the Okanagan Basin Water Board and Aqua Forum, this new edition invites young entrepreneurs and innovators to put into place an innovative solution for one of the 5 issues announced during the virtual launch:
- On-farm nutrient capture and recycling
- Toxic algal blooms
- Innovative “social” technologies for water information
- Improvements to water systems for indigenous communities
- Optimization of drinking water/ wastewater treatment plants
Find out more about these issues here.
The de Gaspé Beaubien family would like to graciously thank their financial partners from Western Canada for their support in this 2021 edition:
- TECK
- Okanagan Basin Water Board, co-host of the Western Canada Challenge 2021
National Partners
The de Gaspé Beaubien family would like to graciously thank their precious financial partners for their support on a national scale:
By contributing to the resolution of current issues, they are participating in the putting into place of innovative solutions to improve the quality of Canada’s water sources.
The de Gaspé Beaubien family is overjoyed to see that this initiative, the AquaHacking Challenge, is continuing with a new program in spite of the constraints of the current global pandemic. The recruitment period for participants is currently underway and the de Gaspé Beaubien family invites every young Canadian to send in their application and take part in this tech challenge which will ensure the development of their entrepreneurial skills while contributing to the creation of solutions for Canada’s freshwater issues.