A united front for Quebec’s energy transition

The energy transition now sits at the centre of Quebec’s biggest public debates. Faced with the climate emergency and far-reaching economic change, energy has become much more than a technical question. It touches quality of life, social equity, regional development and the prospects of future generations. In that context, a united front for the energy transition is an essential response to the scale of the challenge.

The Front commun pour la transition énergétique: a citizen coalition at the heart of the debate

Origins: how the coalition came together in 2015

The Front commun pour la transition énergétique (a common front for the energy transition) was created in 2015, at a time of growing awareness of the limits of the traditional energy model. Citizen, environmental and labour organizations were finding that energy decisions were too often made without genuine public consultation. The need for a collective space, one able to bring different voices together around shared objectives, became impossible to ignore.

The coalition was founded with a clear purpose: to move past fragmented approaches and build a comprehensive vision of the energy transition. From the outset, the Front commun positioned itself as a partner in dialogue, working to influence public policy while strengthening public participation. Its mission, membership and positions are set out on the official website of the Front commun pour la transition énergétique.

A coalition of nearly 80 citizen, environmental and labour organizations

Today, the Front commun pour la transition énergétique brings together nearly 80 organizations from a wide range of backgrounds: citizen groups, environmental organizations, unions and advocates for social justice. That diversity is one of the movement’s great strengths.

By uniting organizations with different areas of expertise and different day-to-day realities, the Front commun can speak in a way that genuinely reflects the concerns of the Quebec public. This plurality also makes it possible to approach the energy transition from several angles at once: environmental, social, economic and territorial.

A vision: energy transition, carbon neutrality and social justice

At the heart of the Front commun’s work is an ambitious vision of the energy transition. The goal is not simply to cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions or promote renewable energy, but to reshape the energy model itself so that it is fairer and more inclusive.

Carbon neutrality is treated as a collective objective, inseparable from social justice. The Front commun argues that the transition must not widen existing inequalities but should help reduce them. Energy choices therefore have to account for their impact on communities, on workers and on more vulnerable populations.

Why the energy transition is a collective issue in Quebec

An energy model that has to change

Quebec’s energy profile is distinctive, largely because of the weight of hydroelectricity. Even with that advantage, several sectors remain heavily dependent on fossil fuels, notably transportation and certain industrial activities. The energy transition therefore calls for major structural change.

Transforming the Quebec energy model cannot happen through isolated actions. Decisions taken today will have consequences for decades, environmentally and economically. That is why collective reflection is essential, including a structured look at the energy transition in Quebec, which helps align public policy directions with action on the ground.

The economic, social and environmental impacts of energy choices

Energy choices directly shape economic development in Quebec. They can create lasting jobs, support innovation and strengthen the province’s energy autonomy. Poorly suited decisions, on the other hand, can drive up costs and slow the transition down.

Socially, the energy transition raises questions of accessibility and fairness. Households, regions and economic sectors are not all affected in the same way by the changes under way, which makes it essential to build these dimensions into the discussion.

Why no one can act alone

Energy issues are too complex for any individual or sector-by-sector approach to succeed. Governments, businesses, municipalities, citizen organizations and the public all have to work in concert. A united front is precisely what builds bridges between these players and fosters a shared understanding of the challenges and the solutions.

The Dialogues sur l’avenir énergétique: giving the public a voice

Where the initiative launched in January 2026 came from

In January 2026, the Front commun pour la transition énergétique launched a major new initiative: the Dialogues sur l’avenir énergétique (dialogues on the energy future). The aim is to open spaces for discussion so that citizens and organizations can weigh in on the energy choices that will shape the future of Quebec.

The main objective is to gather a diversity of viewpoints and support informed collective deliberation. The Dialogues are part of a broader effort to strengthen energy democracy and put the public back at the centre of decision-making.

Spaces for discussion open to citizens and organizations

The Dialogues are meant to be inclusive and accessible. They provide a structured setting where participants can share their concerns, their ideas and their priorities. This approach encourages solutions rooted in local and regional realities.

By giving a wide range of stakeholders a voice, the Front commun is working to move past polarized debate and encourage a more nuanced conversation about energy.

Regional meetings that reflect the diversity of Quebec

The first Dialogues meetings are being held in different regions of Quebec, including Shawinigan, Baie-Comeau and Rimouski. Those locations were not chosen at random: they bring distinct energy realities into view and acknowledge how much regional context matters.

This territorial approach enriches the exchanges and sheds light on how energy decisions affect local communities.

The PGIRE: a defining plan for Quebec’s energy future

What the Plan de gestion intégrée des ressources énergétiques is

The Plan de gestion intégrée des ressources énergétiques (integrated energy resource management plan), usually referred to by the acronym PGIRE, is a strategic document produced by the government. It sets the direction for how Quebec plans and uses its energy resources over the long term.

The plan plays a central role in defining energy priorities and in framing future investment.

A strategic document for the decades ahead

The PGIRE will have lasting effects on energy development across the province. It will shape infrastructure, public policy and technology choices for decades, which is exactly why it needs to reflect the needs and values of Quebec society.

The role of public recommendations in shaping it

The recommendations coming out of the Dialogues sur l’avenir énergétique are intended to inform government thinking on the PGIRE. Building public concerns into the process makes it both more legitimate and more relevant. The Government of Quebec has also launched an official public consultation on the Plan de gestion intégrée des ressources énergétiques (PGIRE) to gather the views of the public and of organizations.

Why democratic participation matters in energy choices

Energy and democracy: inseparable

Energy decisions shape society and have a direct effect on daily life, so they cannot be separated from democratic principles. Encouraging participation builds trust in institutions and improves public understanding of what is at stake.

Social acceptability and the legitimacy of decisions

Social acceptability is a key success factor for energy projects. When people are consulted and involved, decisions are far more likely to be understood and accepted. That reduces friction and makes implementation smoother.

Involving the public in a just transition

A just energy transition rests on inclusion and on listening. Involving the public makes it easier to identify the social impacts of change and to design support measures that actually fit.

The role of expert organizations such as ORT Énergie

Putting expertise to work in the public debate

Organizations that specialize in energy efficiency and the energy transition play an essential role in public debate. They help make complex issues understandable and provide analysis grounded in reliable data.

ORT Énergie takes part in that effort by putting its expertise at the service of an informed, collective conversation.

Supporting and amplifying citizen initiatives

By backing initiatives such as those of the Front commun pour la transition énergétique, expert organizations help extend the reach of citizen-led work. They can act as a link between the public, decision-makers and technical circles.

Supporting the transition with concrete solutions

Beyond dialogue, the energy transition calls for concrete action. Organizations such as ORT Énergie support stakeholders in implementing solutions suited to their situation, notably by improving the energy efficiency of buildings, turning ambitions into tangible results.

Toward a genuine united front for a just and lasting transition

What a broader united front needs to succeed

The success of a united front rests on several conditions: a shared vision, clear objectives and effective mechanisms for collaboration. Transparency and respect for differing voices matter just as much.

Collaboration among citizens, organizations and experts

The energy transition cannot be carried through without close collaboration among everyone involved. Citizens, organizations and experts each have a complementary role to play.

A historic opportunity for Quebec

Quebec is at a turning point in its energy history. The choices made today will set the province’s course for decades to come. A strong, inclusive united front is a real opportunity to build an energy future that is both sustainable and equitable.

Conclusion

A united front for the energy transition shows how much a collective approach matters in the face of Quebec’s energy challenges. By encouraging dialogue, public participation and collaboration among stakeholders, it helps steer decisions toward a fairer, more sustainable transition. For expert organizations such as ORT Énergie, supporting and amplifying this work is a natural extension of putting expertise to work in the collective interest.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)