April 14-15 - Rendez-vous CentrEau 2026
Delve into the heart of continental water issues at this major event dedicated to research, innovation, and networking. Designed to break down silos, Rendez-vous CentrEau creates a unique space for cross-sector dialogue where solutions to today’s water challenges come together.
University of Sherbrooke – Longueuil Campus, 150, place Charles-Le Moyne, Longueuil
April 23, 2026 - Conference 'Giving rivers their freedom'
River movement space, essential for the natural processes of flooding and erosion, is severely reduced, leading to a loss of biodiversity. What if we did things differently? By restoring river space and movement, we can revitalize our aquatic environments and better address climate change. Nature—including beavers!—then becomes our greatest ally for sustainable river management.
A conference by Pascale Biron, RIISQ member
Professor at the Department of Geography, Planning and Environment at Concordia University and co-director of the Interuniversity Research Group in Limnology (GRIL). A hydrogeomorphologist, Pascale Biron studies the dynamics of watercourses and the impact of environmental changes on Quebec’s rivers. Her research focuses in particular on the concept of river space.
April 28, 2026 - 7th Workshop on Floodplain Mapping, Quebec Chapter of the Canadian Water Resources Association (CWRA)
Section québécoise de l’association canadienne des ressources hydriques (ACRH)
Following the major floods experienced in several regions of Quebec in the springs of 2017 and 2019, the Quebec government, in collaboration with several partners, undertook a comprehensive reform aimed at updating knowledge about flood zones, their mapping, and the regulatory framework. A transitional management regime for flood zones, shorelines, and the littoral zone has been in effect since March 1, 2022, replacing the Policy for the Protection of Shorelines, Littoral Zones, and Floodplains. The modernized regulatory framework, as well as the initial publication of the new generation of floodplain maps, have been in effect since March 1. This new context represents a major change for many groups and individuals who will be directly impacted by the regulatory framework.
To foster exchanges and discussions on this topic, the Quebec Chapter of the Canadian Water Resources Association (CWRA) will host the 7th Floodplain Mapping Workshop on April 28, 2026. With the modernized regime coming into effect on March 1, 2026, this workshop aims to provide an overview of progress made in flood zone mapping in Quebec, while highlighting the implications for the future. The workshop is part of Canada’s National Adaptation Strategy and the activities carried out and overseen in Quebec by the Quebec Ministry of the Environment and the Fight Against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks (MELCCFP) and its various partners.
Registration: https://cwra.org/fr/membee-events/#id=10320&cid=1410&wid=701
May 6-7, 2026 - 4th Rendez-vous sur l'eau, in collaboration with ROBVQ
The event puts floods at the heart of discussions while broadening the scope to include other hazards. It draws on new flood zone maps, a modernized regulatory framework, and knowledge sharing to translate science into concrete actions. The goal is to develop practical solutions that can be immediately applied at the watershed and regional levels.
May 11-15, 2026 - ACFAS - 20th Symposium on Natural Hazards in Quebec
Organized by:
- Mustapha Kebiche – UQAM – Université du Québec à Montréal
- Philippe Gachon – UQAM – Université du Québec à Montréal
- Thomas Buffin-Bélanger – UQAR – Université du Québec à Rimouski
- Pascal Bernatchez – UQAR – Université du Québec à Rimouski
- Nathalie St-Amour – UQO – Université du Québec en Outaouais
June 1-4, 2026 - CMOS (Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society) Congress
The SCMO 2026 Congress will be held online from June 1-4, 2026. This year’s theme is Navigating Uncertainty.
The event will bring together a wide range of scientists and other professionals focused on topics related to climate, atmosphere, ocean, hydrology, cryosphere, and earth sciences, and their application as services to our society.
As part of the congress, the RIISQ, in collaboration with colleagues from Environment and Climate Change Canada, is organizing a session (no. 5070) on “Managing Hydrometeorological Risks in an Uncertain World.”
June 11-12 2026 - Congress on Hydrological Research in Quebec
2026 Edition Theme: For this edition, the RHQ has chosen to focus its programming on the realities of extreme hydrometeorological events in Quebec.
UQAM – Pierre-Dansereau Science Complex – Sherbrooke Pavilion – 200 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal.
June 16-19, 2026 : Urban Floods Summer School, RIISQ and Centre RISC
Training on torrential rain management in urban areas
Torrential rains and flooding represent a growing challenge for Quebec cities. Their increasing frequency and intensity have major impacts on infrastructure, housing, public health, and civil security, and generate considerable financial and human costs across the province.
It is essential to equip professionals and researchers in the field and to train a new generation of professionals capable of meeting the challenges of urban flooding. To this end, the RIISQ and the RISC Centre are organizing an interdisciplinary seminar/summer school on flood management in urban areas, to be held from June 16 to 19, 2026, in Montreal.
The training aims to combine scientific and professional knowledge to foster shared reflection and identify concrete courses of action. Recent case studies, including Storm Debby or the intense rains in Trois-Rivières in the summer of 2025, will serve as a basis for discussion and will help to ground the exchanges in lived experiences.
Registration is now open!
Click here for more information, to register and to view the program
For any other questions: formation@riisq.ca