In September 2025, the Action Canada fellows embarked on their second study tour of the year in Montérégie, Québec, a region where energy, environment, and community stories intertwine.
The tour opened at Hydro-Québec’s Beauharnois Generating Station, where Fellows explored one of Canada’s largest hydroelectric facilities. A guided visit and discussion with Jean-Philippe Rousseau illuminated the province’s energy transition plan toward carbon neutrality by 2050 and the challenges of public engagement and social acceptability in climate policy.
The Fellows then travelled to Kahnawà:ke First Nation, where the Kahnawà:ke Environment Protection Office shared the community’s initiatives to restore wetlands, plant food forests, and integrate Indigenous practices into a comprehensive climate adaptation plan.
Midweek, the focus shifted to Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu and Longueuil, where municipal leaders detailed how their cities are confronting floods, heat waves, and other climate risks through ambitious climate plans, modern civil security infrastructure, and innovative approaches to urban resilience.
Throughout the week, Fellows reflected on the intersections between leadership and crisis, notably during a dinner with Simon Gamache ’15, former Executive Director of Fierté Montréal, who shared lessons from navigating public controversies and building inclusive leadership.
The tour concluded with a media and communications workshop led by Émilie Nicolas’14, who guided Fellows on how to leverage storytelling and journalism to advance social change.
The Montérégie tour illuminated how communities navigate the balance between growth, memory, and sustainability, reminding Fellows that resilience is as much about people and relationships as it is about infrastructure.
Featured Fellow
Sweta is a dynamic policy professional with experience in public policy, civic engagement, and nonprofit leadership. Originally from Mauritius, she has called Prince Edward Island home since 2016.
She currently serves as a Senior Policy Analyst at the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) Faculty of Medicine, where she supports policy development, strategic planning, and accreditation processes.
Previously, she held key roles in federal politics, including as a Policy Advisor and as a Legislative Assistant on Parliament Hill. Sweta also led the PEI Coalition for Women in Government (now PEI Coalition for Women in Leadership) as Executive Director, championing equity, diversity, and inclusion in political leadership.
She holds a Master’s in Political Management from Carleton University and a Bachelor of Science with Honours from UPEI. A recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal, Sweta is also an active media contributor and community leader. Her work has been recognized for its impact on gender equity, student advocacy, and inclusive governance at all levels.