Residents of Deux-Montagnes turned out last weekend to haul 742 pounds (337 kg) of trash off the city’s waterfront, part of a citizen-powered “Grand nettoyage riverain” organized with the non-profit Mission 1000 Tonnes. City officials applauded the effort and thanked the organization and volunteers for mobilizing to restore the shoreline.
According to the Ville de Deux-Montagnes, this riverbank cleanup is now a recurring civic activity held along the banks of lac des Deux-Montagnes, a key node of the Ottawa–St. Lawrence watershed where wind and currents concentrate floating debris. The city’s 2025 notice invited residents to assemble on Saturday, September 13 for the latest edition, underscoring the municipality’s commitment to community-led environmental action.
What Mission 1000 Tonnes does
Mission 1000 Tonnes (Mission 1000 Tonnes / Mission Mille Tonnes) is a Quebec-based initiative founded in 2018 that organizes public cleanups of riverbanks and waterways, partners with municipalities and community groups, and runs awareness activities aimed at reducing plastic and other waste at the source. Since its creation, the group has staged thousands of collective cleanups across Quebec and beyond, engaging families, schools and businesses in hands-on stewardship. Media coverage this summer highlighted the scale of its annual St. Lawrence expeditions, which blend shoreline cleanups with public participation.
Beyond cleanup days, the organization offers municipal and corporate cleanup services and outreach programming. It also maintains a scientific team led by marine biologist Dr. Lyne Morissette, providing ecology-grounded guidance on debris impacts and best practices for local interventions. That combination—grassroots activation and scientific backing—has helped Mission 1000 Tonnes become a go-to partner for Quebec towns looking to translate environmental concern into measurable, local results.
A regional push, with local results
The Deux-Montagnes tally of 742 lbs formed part of a broader regional push the same day; Mission 1000 Tonnes reported an additional 445 lbs removed in nearby Lorraine, illustrating how coordinated, same-weekend actions can add up across the North Shore. Earlier in August, the group kicked off a multi-stop St. Lawrence campaign that moved from the Soulanges Canal to Montreal’s Lachine Canal, clearing waste with the help of citizen volunteers at each stop.
Why it matters for Deux-Montagnes
Perched where rivers and lake meet, Deux-Montagnes is particularly exposed to litter that travels via streams, storm drains and wind. Removing bulky plastics, tires, scrap metal and assorted packaging reduces hazards to wildlife, prevents microplastic fragmentation, and improves public access and enjoyment of the shore. The city’s continued partnership with Mission 1000 Tonnes signals a pragmatic approach: empower residents to take visible, local action while aligning with a province-wide movement that brings equipment, know-how and momentum.
