It’s a Fact Michel led a successful campaign for the removal of the New Brunswick’s Petitcodiac River causeway. The 40 year old structure, owned by the province, altered tidal characteristics and blocked fish passage to over half of the Petitcodiac watershed.

Since 1999, Petitcodiac Riverkeeper has led the community in the restoration, protection and promotion of ecological integrity of the Petitcodiac watershed, located in south-eastern New Brunswick. The organization’s primary focus is the removal of the Petitcodiac River causeway, a 40-year old structure that changed tidal characteristics and blocked fish passage to over half of the watershed. Built in 1968 and owned by the province of New Brunswick, the causeway has been responsible for the elimination of the indigenous fish species in the river, including the Atlantic salmon. In 2003, National Geographic reported that two environmental organizations, EarthWild International and Wildcanada.net, had declared the Petitcodiac the most endangered river in Canada.

As the province was slow to commit to the restoration project in 2007, Michel took action. He engaged the community in the issue, generated media exposure, made presentations to local schools, community groups and the Chamber of Commerce, and made the causeway a top priority for all levels of governmental. Thanks to Michel’s efforts, the local newspaper declared the Petitcodiac River causeway the area’s top story of 2007.

Michel’s accomplishments were realized through much adversity. Faced with a staff shortage, Michel committed to work on a voluntary basis for the organization and hired part-time staff and a summer student to help. In addition, Michel put extensive efforts into making sure the organization had the financial resources to operate by doubling the group’s fundraising efforts.

In August 2007, after years of hard work and dedication by Michel and Petitcodiac Riverkeeper, the province of New Brunswick announced that the causeway would be removed and replaced with a 280-metre bridge. The announcement was an important breakthrough for Petitcodiac Riverkeeper and the community. To celebrate, Michel helped organize a sold-out benefit concert featuring internationally-acclaimed local musicians. Thanks to Michel’s efforts, 2007 will be forever remembered as one of the most important years in New Brunswick environmental history.

In addition to environmental issues, Michel has taken an active role in the Greater Moncton community. He was the Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Moncton Chamber of Commerce from 1996 to 1998 and was Vice President of Canada World Youth for six years.

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