Deux-Montagnes, April 14, 2023 – Students from École primaire des Mésanges, accompanied by their educator, proudly presented a “Generations’ Chair” (chaise des générations) to the municipal officials of the City of Deux-Montagnes on Thursday, April 13.

This unique chair, designed and decorated by 11 young people from Deux-Montagnes, is a symbolic representation of the place reserved for children in city councils, where today’s decisions influence their future. It gives them a voice, particularly in terms of environmental protection.

“As municipal officials, we have a duty to make decisions that aim to reduce our ecological footprint, and to do so across several spheres of the city. This conviction drives us in the City of Deux-Montagnes and it influences our main orientations,” explained Denis Martin, Mayor of Deux-Montagnes. “I find it inspiring to see these young people gathered here together a few days before Earth Day to become involved in their community and protect our environment. This beautiful chair comes with a responsibility that we gladly accept. It will remind us of the expectations of tomorrow’s citizens, and it will especially serve as a beacon in the fight against climate change,” he concluded.

Première rangée, de gauche à droite : Roza-Anna Hausner-Kazmierczak, Magdalena Hausner-Kazmierczak, Angel-Lyna Adam, Arielle Beraca Tehy Deuxième rangée, de gauche à droite : Maryse Mathieu (Mères au front), Nicolas Martineau, Agathe Gendron, Simon-Pierre Grégoire, Jérémy Cusson, Frédérique Grégoire. Troisième rangée : Margaret Lavallée (conseillère municipale), Erik Johnson (conseiller municipal), Michel Mendes (conseiller municipal), Micheline Groulx Stabile (conseillère municipale), Denis Martin (maire de Deux-Montagnes), Manon Robitaille (conseillère municipale), Frédéric Berthiaume (conseiller municipal), Ursula Dogho Tangmo et Virginie Choinière. Absent de la photo : Loïc Éthier

About the Generations’ Chair

The Generations’ Chair project was carried out by the Mothers Step In  movement, which reuses chairs, decorating them with materials that are recovered or already in possession of participants.

The chair for Deux-Montagnes was made by daycare students of the École primaire des Mésanges, thanks to support from Virginie Choinière, an educator. Educators and retired staff of the school also pitched in to achieve this project that gives cause for hope.

The chair represents topics that concern the project’s young craftsmen: nature, animals, plants, and pollution. In terms of this last topic, the children also wanted to highlight the environmental dangers that threaten our planet—indicated in black. Hope remains the cornerstone of the project.

The Generations’ Chair project has resonated far and wide across Quebec, as many municipalities in the province have produced such symbolic works.