P’tit Québec has a long history of bringing Quebecers together around delicious meals. That’s why we’ve made it our mission to continue this tradition of togetherness, one initiative at a time.
Every year, as part of our initiative, P’tits projets pas si P’tits, we journey to a little Quebec village and support its revitalization. How? By offering a project designed to strengthen community ties in the region.
A community to rebuild
In the wake of the devastating floods and landslides that struck Rivière-Éternité in 2023, the community had to pull together and rebuild everything. It was an obvious choice for P’tit Québec to support this community, and create a warm and welcoming space where residents could gather.
Thanks to a $100,000 investment, Le P’tit Parvis has been transformed into a multi-functional and intergenerational gathering space for the community, where cooking, gardening, playing and getting together will be easier than ever. Residents will be able to organize outdoor gatherings like family parties, cooking classes, discussion groups and much more.
The space features charcoal grills, microgardens and a custom-built communal table with a built-in swing. This will allow the whole family—young and old alike—to take part in these gatherings.
What kind of work did we do?
Parvis de l’église
- Purchase, assembly and construction of a custom wooden island platform on the church parvis.
- Construction and installation of a fully custom gathering table to allow people to enjoy the space.
- Creation of a mural on an existing canteen and ground painting reflecting the village’s identity.
- Installation of two charcoal BBQs, eight micro planters (or microgardens), two swings, Adirondack chairs and children’s play equipment for the community.
- Restoration and painting of existing picnic tables to welcome the residents.
A great evening for our P’tit Parvis!
To inaugurate the gathering space, we invited the community to a memorable evening featuring a unique menu created by two celebrity chefs: nationally renowned chef Chuck Hughes, TV host and head chef at Le Garde Manger in Montreal and Emmy Plante, a former contestant on the popular show Les Chefs! and chef at Verre Lime in Chicoutimi. Together, they crafted a menu showcasing local ingredients and, of course, P’tit Québec!
We also took the opportunity to ask some of the residents to tell us about Le P’tit Parvis and what they plan to do there.
A recipe that brings people together!
Missed out on the opening festivities? We’ve found another reason for you to get together!
We’re sharing the recipe for our cheesy baked lamb meatballs, created by Chuck and Emmy for the inauguration dinner in Rivière-Éternité. Now it’s your turn to cook it at home and share it with your loved ones around the table!
A mural that reflects its village
To further beautify Le P’tit Parvis, we called on mural artist Edgar Vachon-Desautels to create a piece that reflects the spirit of Rivière-Éternité: beautiful and proud. The Quebec artist explains that his drawings were inspired by the landscapes of the Saguenay region.
To learn more about the whole process, click here!
“What inspired me most was the beauty of the Saguenay and the spontaneous generosity of its community. This mural is my way of giving them a little extra sunshine and color in return.”
Edgar Vachon-Desautels
Visual artist and muralist
FAQ
What is the initiative P’tits projets pas si P’tits?
This initiative is a social impact project focused on the community revitalization of Quebec villages and the vibrancy of every community.
By providing continuous support for communities, this community initiative funds and builds concrete public space improvements or renovations (such as collective kitchens or church squares). The goal is to energize local Quebec communities by creating warm places for interaction that help in bringing Quebecers together, encouraging social interaction, and connecting generations.
This is a community project with a strong local impact that promotes community engagement, fosters a deep sense of belonging, and boosts local pride. By offering the ideal community gathering space for shared moments, it actively contributes to strengthening community ties, building connections, and showcasing true community spirit across Quebec communities.
Since when has the program been active?
The program was launched in 2021, representing a sustained community investment for 6 years up to this edition. Over time, this ongoing commitment helps build a true community legacy while ensuring a lasting impact and driving positive change over time within the supported municipalities.
What are the criterias in the selection process of the village?
The selection of municipalities is based on an assessment of community needs according to the following criteria:
- Municipality Size: The program primarily targets small Quebec villages (often with fewer than 1,000 residents) to deliver a meaningful community benefit and maximize positive impact where resources are limited.
- Targeted Need & Lack of Funding: Selection of essential local infrastructure that is degraded or unfinished due to a lack of financial support.
- Social Impact & Collective Life: Priority is given to projects that create a welcoming community hub and key community gathering place (such as collective kitchens or church squares and basements). The goal is to drive local mobilization, rely on resident involvement and citizen engagement, and leave a lasting legacy that tackles isolation and fosters solidarity.
Why is P’tit Québec doing an ESG campaign?
P’tit Québec relies on this initiative to bring its corporate social responsibility (CSR) commitments to life through its ESG strategy, focusing on two main pillars:
- Local Roots & Authenticity: As a purpose-driven brand present in family homes for over 60 years, P’tit Québec demonstrates genuine local engagement by giving back directly to small rural towns that have supported the brand for generations.
- Strategic Alignment & Lasting Impact: This approach focuses on driving real social value. By offering direct support for communities, the program delivers a positive community impact that is measurable and long-lasting—strengthening social cohesion, fostering solidarity, and making a meaningful community contribution while supporting Quebec communities.
Why was Rivière-Éternité chosen this year?
The village of Rivière-Éternité was selected to deliver a tangible impact and support its community revitalization following the devastating floods and landslides experienced in 2023.
To help this municipality of 445 residents address its local needs and rebuild, the initiative invested $100,000 to create Le P’tit Parvis. This multifunctional outdoor space in front of the church restores a safe, central community gathering space for the town. It is a true community-driven project born from community mobilization and active citizen participation, designed to improve the quality of life for townspeople, reignite local pride, and leave a lasting legacy at the heart of the village.