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Our Mission

TURN PASSIONATE OUTDOOR PEOPLE INTO EFFECTIVE CLIMATE ADVOCATES

Protect Our Winters Canada is a passionate community of enthusiasts, professional athletes and industry brands uniting the outdoor community to advocate for policy solutions to climate change. We believe our love of adventure in nature demands our participation in the fight to save and protect it.

Our Vision

CREATE A FUTURE WITH HEALTHY, SAFE AND RESILIENT COMMUNITIES AND OUTDOOR PLAYGROUNDS

For all communities and outdoor playgrounds to be healthy, safe and resilient, we envision a future where we've transformed our economy, energy systems and cut our carbon emissions in line with science based targets agreed to in the Paris Climate Agreement. 

The Opportunity

IN ORDER TO REACH OUR TARGETED EMISSIONS, WE NEED LARGE SCALE POLICY SOLUTIONS

To reach our targeted emissions, we need to expand our focus from individual action and work together to achieve large scale policy solutions. All other sectors of the Canadian economy have organized themselves to influence policy decisions which are important to their industry. The outdoor industry in Canada is massive, yet has never organized to have a collective voice and collaborative influence. Our goal is to create such a voice. As outdoor enthusiasts, we see the impacts of climate change first-hand, and need to be the force for change. If we don’t step up and use our voice to protect the places we love and experiences we value, who will?

It’s a daunting challenge, but like climbing mountains and sending big lines, we are up for it. We get to help dictate the outcome right now. We all have unique skills, gifts, and experiences to contribute. Please consider how you can get involved with Protect Our Winters Canada to further our shared mission for climate action. WINTER IS IN OUR HANDS.

BOARD

As a not-for-profit organization, Protect our Winters Canada is governed by a board of directors who are responsible for the strategic direction and overall governance of the organization.

MJ Legault

Chair, Principal & Strategist MMGY Origin

Alex Guimond

Treasurer, Co-CEO Altitude Sports

Manuelle Cote

Secretary, Director at Cycle Capital

Mike Douglas

Vice-Chair Athlete & Principal of Switchback Entertainment

Sven Sandahl

Member At Large, CEO SS-7

Sandy Ward

Member At Large, Athlete

Professor Tara Holland

Member At Large, School of Environmental Science, SFU

Reuben Krabbe

Member At Large

STAFF

Dave Erb

Executive Director

Anik Champoux

Programs & Marketing Director

Arianne Dufour

Development & Partnerships Director Currently On Maternity Leave

Natalie Knowles

Research Specialist

Anne-Frederique Grenier

Digital Content & Social Media Specialist

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