October 7, 2025
Gaspésie is mobilizing to accelerate the transition to a more prosperous, resilient, and united region.
How can we influence the Gaspé Peninsula of 2050? This is the challenge taken up by Collectivités ZéN Gaspésie—a collective of 14 organizations from the region with diverse backgrounds—which is unveiling a shared vision, the result of unprecedented citizen mobilization in the region.
Last spring, 749 people—young people, seniors, workers, business owners, and students—took part in 84 Future Exploration Workshops. Inspired by scenarios based on the latest scientific data, they imagined the Gaspé Peninsula in 2050 and expressed their priorities for the region.
A shared vision for 2050 structured around three pillars
1. A more autonomous local economy: support for SMEs, cooperatives, and local agricultural projects; short supply chains for food; innovative jobs in repair, reconditioning, and creation; and Local energy production that meets the needs of the population.
2. An engaged and inclusive community: accessible healthcare and housing, schools and programs for all ages, meeting spaces and cultural initiatives to strengthen social ties, and enhanced mutual aid to address climate-related challenges.
3. Sustainable living environments adapted to climate change: revitalization of village centers, safe roads for pedestrians, bicycles, and public transportation, community participation in decision-making, and active protection of riverbanks and forests to limit erosion and protect biodiversity.
“Never before have so many residents of Gaspésie collectively expressed their views on the future of the region. This vision is their voice. It provides us with a clear and ambitious direction for building Gaspésie together by 2050. We look forward to making this vision a reality!” – Arielle Paiement, Project Manager for Collectivités ZéN Gaspésie.
From vision to action: committees to turn ideas into reality
Starting this fall, working committees bringing together local stakeholders from several sectors will be set up to define pathways, concrete and tailored to the Gaspé Peninsula. The work will result in the development of an action plan to achieve the shared vision and transform ideas into tangible projects for the region.
The project, initiated by Collectivités Zéro Émission Nette Gaspésie (CZéN Gaspésie), is led by CIRADD, and supported by Natural Resources Canada’s Climate Resilient Coastal Communities (CCRC) Program.
About CIRADD
CIRADD is a social innovation research centre specializing in sustainable territorial development. It supports businesses, organizations and municipalities in their innovation projects and challenges mainly in four areas: land use and development, community vitality and well-being, adaptation to social and climate change, and sustainable recreational tourism. Affiliated with the Cégep de la Gaspésie et des Îles, the centre is part of the CCTT Network.
About Collectivités ZéN Gaspésie
Collectivités ZéN Gaspésie (CZéNG) is a collective that was formed in 2022 and mobilizes 14 regional partners from diverse backgrounds. CIRADD has been one of the partners since the beginning of the process. CZéNG is one of CZéN in Quebec. These territorial initiatives stem from the Feuille de route pour la transition du Québec vers la carboneutralitécompleted in 2020 by the Front commun pour la transition énergétique du Québec.
Les actualités du CIRADD
