The de Gaspé Beaubien Foundation has the honour of presenting to you the recipient of the Emerging Talent Award EAU Andre-Perrault 2021 prize (Prix de la relève EAU André Perrault): Timothe Roy-Bouchard, cofounder of the enterprise Solutions Eco Time. This recognition was given to him for his innovative projects relating to rain water collection. On May 10th, 2022, during an official prize ceremony at the C.I.EAU, Dominique Monchamp had the pleasure of meeting Timothe and awarding him with a 1 500$ grant sponsored by the de Gaspé Beaubien Foundation.
The award is named in honour of Andre Perrault, founder of EAU and previous director of public works and environment for the city of Laval, a man who is passionate about the environment and involved in the water crisis. The objective of the award is to recognize the innovations and exceptional character of young people’s projects in the water sector, whether they concern the best practices to adopt or new technologies. By doing so, the C.I.EAU recognizes the essential work, dedication, and know-how of the new generation regarding the water crisis in Quebec.
The selection committee is composed of a member of the board of administration of C.I.EAU and Quebec experts in the water sector. Together, they evaluate the quality of the candidates’ presentations and the impact of their projects on the knowledge of the water sector, technologies, and water management.
The contest’s 2021 edition marks the de Gaspé Beaubien Foundation’s second year of involvement in the contest. The importance that we give to the water crisis and the development of technologies and innovation in this sector is well-known. It is essential for the Foundation and AquaAction to recognize and encourage the younger generation across Quebec. This association with the C.I.EAU and the Emerging Talent Award EAU Andre-Perrault therefore seemed obvious.
“The de Gaspé Beaubien Foundation is proud to partner with C.I.EAU and the Emerging Talent Award EAU Andre-Perrault. We are happy to be involved in this human initiative in Quebec. Timothe and Solutions Eco Time will certainly accomplish great things! Congratulations again to him and his team, but also to the other candidates for their involvement and achievements. They are the future of the water sector in Quebec.” – Dominique Monchamp, general director of the de Gaspé Beaubien Foundation.
In spite of the important business chain and expertise behind providing accessible drinking water to everyone, Quebec is presently experiencing a major shortage of professionals in jobs relating to the water sector. Water treatment operators, technicians, technologists, and engineers are severely lacking. However, water management and preservation are crucial issues.
In 2020, EnviroCompetences denoted that 41% of organizations in the water sector had immediate labour needs, and 66% of organizations did not have measures to resolve the problem. Two years later, the situation hasn’t changed … Initiatives that stimulate the younger generations to develop their knowledge and expertise in the water sector are necessary today to ensure the perennity of the infrastructures, but also – and especially – the well-being of our society. If the labour shortage in the water sector continues, the consequences could be devastating.
Initiatives such as C.I.EAU, the Emerging Talent Award EAU Andre-Perrault, and the achievements of young innovators who participate give us hope for the possibility of a better future.
Find out more about the winner, Timothe Roy-Bouchard, and Solutions Eco Time.