Presentation of the National Assembly of Québec Medal
On April 20, 2026, the Member of the National Assembly for the Laporte riding, Isabelle Poulet, presented the National Assembly of Québec Medal to Mr. Stéphane Plante, Executive Director of Mission Nouvelle Génération, along with other distinguished individuals.
Below is the speech delivered by the Member of the National Assembly during the ceremony.
This distinction highlights an exceptional journey marked by a deep commitment to the community, the fight against poverty, and the support of youth.
A Lifelong Commitment
Since the 1980s, Stéphane Plante has been actively involved with individuals in vulnerable situations. Beginning as a volunteer in underprivileged neighborhoods in Montreal, he contributed to various food assistance initiatives and family support programs.
Driven by a desire to offer better opportunities to young people, he founded the Club de l’Arche in 1995, an organization dedicated to preventing poverty through education and mentorship. Through his leadership, he implemented programs that help young people build confidence, perseverance, and the tools needed for success.
Alongside his professional career at the OACIQ, he mobilized his professional network to support social causes, notably by organizing fundraising initiatives, for which he received recognition from his peers for his commitment to underserved communities.
His hands-on dedication is also reflected in personal initiatives, such as his participation in the Dublin Marathon in Ireland to raise funds for children in need.
He served as Director of Children’s Services for five years at MBA. He mobilized more than 200 volunteers each year.
His work had an impact on the lives of more than 15,000 children annually.
The Birth of a Mission: Transforming Lives
Building on his experience, Stéphane Plante founded Mission Nouvelle Génération in 2009, a social economy organization whose mission is to fight poverty in all its forms.
Today, Mission Nouvelle Génération supports more than 150,000 people each year, from over 120 cultural communities. Its impact is both social and environmental, driven by an approach centered on autonomy, dignity, and mutual support.
The organization operates as a multiservice center and offers:
- A food bank
- A low-cost store
- A vision clinic
- Youth programs
- A bicycle repair workshop
- A community garden
- Outreach services for people experiencing homelessness
- An industrial kitchen
In addition, it develops innovative projects such as Mission Backpack (school supplies), as well as food waste reduction initiatives through the dehydration of surplus fruits and vegetables. This initiative helps support communities in developing countries and First Nations communities.
An Impact Beyond Borders
Mission Nouvelle Génération’s work also extends internationally, including the shipment of paramedical equipment to Africa and the development of projects in Haiti, such as a school and an orphanage.
In a phase of continuous growth, the organization is expanding its activities to Québec City and has acquired a new building in Candiac.
It is supported by a network of approximately 900 volunteers each year.
A Tribute to a Collective Effort
During the medal presentation, Stéphane Plante emphasized that this recognition goes beyond the individual:
“A recognition like this does not happen alone. It takes a family, friends, a team, and hundreds of volunteers. Mission Nouvelle Génération is not built by one person. It is together that we have created something truly meaningful.”
With humility, he highlighted the importance of every contribution in achieving this collective mission.
A Builder at the Service of the Community
Through this distinction, the National Assembly of Québec pays tribute to a builder, a unifier, and a deeply human leader. Stéphane Plante’s commitment continues to transform thousands of lives, year after year.
The entire team at Mission Nouvelle Génération joins in this tribute and proudly recognizes this well-deserved honor.
