May 5, 2009
Sidney Ribaux
Équiterre
General Coordinator
2177 Masson, suite 206
Montréal (Québec)
H2H 1B1
Dear Sidney,
On behalf of Greenpeace, I would like to congratulate the Équiterre team and its partners for the amazing project known as the Maison du développement durable.
Greenpeace would like to reiterate its admiration and support for this major LEED-certified project. Once completed, the building is sure to stand as a benchmark for all NGOs in matters of green architecture and creative usage, for decades to come. The project will also provide an important incentive to industry to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and use only the FSC-certified lumber that is at the heart of Greenpeace’s campaigns.
However, as we have made clear from the start, our support does not amount to a pledge to move Greenpeace’s offices into the Maison du développement durable. We can only deplore the unverified comments published in La Presse in February 2009, which stated that “Greenpeace is maintaining its distance” from the project.
We firmly believe that the Maison du développement durable will be a resounding success and a faithful reflection of the innovation and creativity that characterize Québec’s environmental groups.
Best regards,
Bruce Cox
Executive Director,
Greenpeace Canada
Montréal, April 28, 2009
Mr. Sidney Ribaux
President, Centre for Sustainable Development
2177 Masson Street, Suite 206
Montréal, QC H2H 1B1
Dear Sidney Ribaux,
We would hereby like to express our great pleasure at welcoming to our neighbourhood an innovative project which commands our respect by virtue of its physical and educational mission regarding sustainable development in Montréal and the social and environmental values it embodies.
We believe that the timing of the Centre for Sustainable Development is perfect for Québec and that it will occupy pride of place in the heart of one of downtown Montréal’s most vibrant neighbourhoods. We are already looking forward to the CSD becoming an important and complementary partner of many actors present in the Quartier des Spectacles entertainment district. As a member of this partnership, the Théâtre du Nouveau Monde fully supports the idea that solidarity and innovation are the driving force that allows collective projects to grow and take permanent root in our society and our changing city.
Indeed, just as the TNM strives constantly to promote Québec’s cultural and social assets, the CSD will serve as a source of inspiration in the area of sustainable development for both its neighbours and the community at large by ensuring the transmission of its values to generations to come.
Please accept, dear Sidney Ribaux, my sincere welcome to the Quartier des Spectacles.
Lorraine Pintal
General and Artistic Director
Théâtre du Nouveau Monde
Montréal, April 28, 2009
Mr. Sidney Ribaux
President, Centre for Sustainable Development
2177 Masson Street, Suite 206
Montréal, QC H2H 1B1
Dear Mr. Ribaux,
It is with great enthusiasm that the David Suzuki Foundation has followed the development of the project to establish the Centre for Sustainable Development, a project that is highly innovative in its approach to building construction and inspirational in its design, and whose mission intersects with that of our own Foundation.
We are passionate believers in using education and science to reach our goal of achieving sustainability within a generation. In our eyes, the CSD sends a strong message of empowerment and hope to future generations. This project also demonstrates that the tools necessary to bring about changes in behaviour are currently being implemented in Québec by organizations that believe in sharing space, resources and values in order to ensure the sustainability of our society.
This landmark project mobilizes players at all levels of Quebec society and encourages cooperation between civil society, the private sector, non-profit organizations and government. We sincerely hope that the CSD will help raise collective awareness and lead to the development of progressive public policies in the area of sustainable development in Québec.
Allow me to express my sincere encouragement as you move forward with this project. I look forward to working together with the CSD and its members.
Karel Mayrand
Director General for Québec
David Suzuki Foundation
