Geneviève Paul, LLM

Since 2018, Geneviève has guided her small-but-mighty organization to a string of victories that have reshaped Quebec’s environmental landscape. Her team’s research and advocacy helped push Parliament to pass tougher anti-greenwashing rules in 2024—changes that sent shockwaves through the business community. She also championed two landmark laws in Quebec: one banning oil and gas exploration and financing, another setting the stage for fossil-free building heat by 2040. When companies and governments pushed back, CQDE was there in court, fighting to defend these precedents. Add to that a historic Indigenous rights ruling, working with citizens to increase transparency regarding pollution and water withdrawals in Quebec, and a near tenfold growth in CQDE’s budget since the beginning of her tenure. Geneviève speaks for the environment: Her impact speaks for itself.