The Inauguration of Our New Maurice-Duplessis Impact Center: A New Chapter for Renaissance!

Montreal, October 17, 2025 — Renaissance, a leading player in Quebec’s social and circular economy, reaches a new milestone today with the official opening of its Maurice-Duplessis Impact Center, located in the heart of the Rivière-des-Prairies–Pointe-aux-Trembles borough at 10600 Maurice-Duplessis Boulevard. This new center embodies Renaissance’s commitment to building a more sustainable and inclusive society.

With an investment of over 45 million dollars, the center brings together under one roof social and professional integration, circular economy innovation, and community engagement, while giving a fresh boost to Montreal’s East End. Nearly 300 people, including several political figures and community leaders, celebrated this inauguration, marking a turning point for the entire province of Quebec.

“This hub for social and environmental innovation positions Renaissance as a key player in sustainable development in Quebec. With this major project, the organization reaffirms its commitment to act locally, with and for the community, creating over 150 jobs and supporting around twenty participants over 26 weeks in professional reorientation programs. With more than 10,600 participants already reintegrated into the workforce through these programs, Renaissance continues to turn local challenges into sustainable solutions and to give everyone their rightful place in the community,” said Éric St-Arnaud, General Director of Renaissance.

Significant Financial Support to Strengthen the Project’s Impact

The development of the Maurice-Duplessis Impact Center has been made possible thanks to substantial financial support from public and institutional partners:

-A grant of $300,000 awarded by the Secrétariat à la région métropolitaine, under the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, through the Financial Assistance Program for the Revitalization of East Montreal. This announcement was made officially by the Minister responsible for Social Solidarity and Community Action, Minister responsible for the Metropolis and the Montreal region, and Member of the National Assembly for Pointe-aux-Trembles, Ms. Chantal Rouleau.

“The role of this impact center goes beyond that of a simple building; it becomes a driver of social, economic, and environmental transformation for East Montreal. By bringing together professional integration, innovation, and circular economy, it creates spaces that stimulate employment, foster solidarity, and support responsible practices. Thanks to the commitment of Renaissance’s teams and strong partnerships, this project allows everyone to actively contribute to the community and build a more inclusive and sustainable future,” says Chantal Rouleau, Minister responsible for Social Solidarity and Community Action, Minister responsible for the Metropolis and the Montreal region, and Member of the National Assembly for Pointe-aux-Trembles.

-A total financing of $40 million provided by the Caisse d’économie solidaire Desjardins, accompanied by innovative financial support from the Desjardins Group, helped bring the project to life. This support includes the SWAP ESG product, which covers interest rate fluctuation risks and rewards the achievement of environmental, social, and governance objectives with a cash rebate. Desjardins also provides a $20,000 grant from Fund C, recognizing Renaissance’s sustainability efforts, including the pursuit of LEED certification and the anticipated annual diversion of goods from landfills.

“By supporting the Maurice-Duplessis Impact Center, the Desjardins Group reaffirms its commitment to structuring projects that combine social inclusion, circular economy, and territorial vitality. Renaissance demonstrates that it is possible to transform environmental and social challenges into levers for sustainable development in East Montreal,” says Marc Picard, General Director of the Caisse d’économie solidaire Desjardins.

-A financing of $250,000 from PME MTL Est-de-l’Île, including a $40,000 grant and a $210,000 loan.

“PME MTL Est-de-l’Île is proud to support Renaissance in the realization of its impact center, a flagship location that brings together professional integration and circular economy innovation under one roof. The Impact Center is part of the collective vision to make East Montreal an exemplary territory in terms of circular economy. We are pleased to support the project with over $250,000 from the City of Montreal funds and Local Solidarity Funds,” says Annie Bourgouin, General Director of PME MTL Est-de-l’Île.

These supports recognize Renaissance’s role as a key player in the revitalization of East Montreal due to its dual social and environmental impact.

Renaissance Kilo: A Sustainable Treasure Hunt

At the heart of the center is the second Renaissance Kilo store, an innovative concept where items are sold by weight. Every 45 minutes, new bins of items are offered, turning each visit into a treasure hunt. By giving a second chance to items that haven’t found a buyer in their thrift stores, Kilo actively contributes to reuse and diverts a significant amount of goods from landfills each year.

“The Kilo concept perfectly illustrates Renaissance’s commitment to maximizing local reuse of goods. Every purchase made at the new impact center and its Kilo store contributes to Renaissance’s overall goal of doubling the amount of goods diverted from landfills across Quebec, reaching over 50,000 tonnes by 2030,” adds Mr. St-Arnaud.

Each year, the Maurice-Duplessis Impact Center will divert nearly 1,800 tonnes of goods from landfills. Across Quebec, Renaissance has already given a second life to more than 31,000 tonnes of goods over the past year.

Covering 160,000 square feet (equivalent to three football fields), the Maurice-Duplessis Impact Center also includes:

— A donation center;

— A research and development space dedicated to textile upcycling;

— A thrift store (opening spring 2026);

— A Renaissance Employment Assistance Center (CAER) (opening spring 2026).