William Guindon
Quebec environmental activist known for defending ecosystems and the rights of future generations. At 14, he brought the case of the Great Peatland of Blainville before the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CUSMA) and the United Nations.
- Born
- Birthplace
- Sainte-Marthe-sur-le-Lac, Quebec
- Nationality
- Canadian
- City
- Blainville, Quebec, Canada
- Education
- Externat Sacré-Cœur, Rosemère
- Occupation
- Environmental activist, student
- Main cause
- Great Peatland of Blainville
- International file
- SEM-26-003 (CEC / CUSMA)
Introduction
An early commitment, an uncompromising determination
William Guindon (born August 3, 2011 in Sainte-Marthe-sur-le-Lac, Quebec) is a Quebec environmental activist recognized for his commitment to protecting ecosystems and the rights of future generations. At 14, he is the author of an official submission filed with the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) under CUSMA, and of a formal deposition sent to the UN Special Rapporteur on toxics and human rights, regarding the expansion of the Stablex hazardous waste landfill into the Great Peatland of Blainville.
Raised in the Laurentides region, he attends Externat Sacré-Cœur, a private secondary school in Rosemère, where he received the Méritas Award for intellectual curiosity (2023) and for commitment and humanism (2024). A member of the Royal Canadian Army Cadets, he reached the Silver Star level. From age ten, he volunteered with seniors in long-term care homes and coordinated his school's community garden in partnership with the Town of Rosemère.
"It is too late. The Blainville peatland has already died under your bulldozers." — William Guindon, "François Legault, vous détruisez notre avenir", Le Devoir, April 8, 2025
Key Actions
From Blainville to the United Nations
- NOVEMBER 28, 2021 Among the first children vaccinated against COVID-19 in Quebec At age ten, he was one of the very first Quebec children aged 5–11 to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, earning public congratulations from Quebec Premier François Legault, as reported by the Journal de Montréal.
- APRIL 8, 2025 Open letter in Le Devoir He published an open letter in Le Devoir titled "François Legault, vous détruisez notre avenir" ("François Legault, you are destroying our future"), directly challenging the Quebec Premier over the environmental and intergenerational consequences of the Stablex expansion, authorized by Bill 93 passed under closure despite the BAPE's unfavourable opinion.
- MAY 1, 2026 International submission SEM-26-003 (CEC / CUSMA) He officially filed submission SEM-26-003 "Hazardous Waste Disposal in Blainville" with the Commission for Environmental Cooperation, asserting that Canada is failing its legal obligations to protect migratory birds, species at risk and water quality. The CEC acknowledged receipt on May 4, 2026 and began its review under CUSMA Articles 24.27(2) and (3).
- MAY 2026 Formal deposition to the UN Special Rapporteur He sent Dr. Marcos A. Orellana, UN Special Rapporteur on toxics and human rights, the brief "Formal Deposition and Urgent Appeal: Human Rights Violations and Denial of Justice – The Stablex Case and the Imposition of Bill 93 in Quebec", arguing that Bill 93 violates section 7 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and UN General Assembly Resolution 76/300 recognizing the right to a healthy environment.