Please register early! Technical visits will be cancelled if they do not reach the minimum number of paid participants by 18 March 2026.
This visit to Université Laval—the Roger-Van den Hende Botanical Garden and the High-Performance Greenhouse Complex—serves as a practical and educational immersion into ecological systems, biodiversity, and sustainable agricultural innovation. These themes are central to environmental impact assessments, which aim to evaluate and mitigate the effects of projects on natural and human environments. The botanical garden introduces participants to Laurentian flora, offering insights into plant ecology and conservation. The greenhouse complex showcases advanced research in plant protection, peat-based substrates, and genomics.
Sunday, 17 May 2026
Depart 08:00 | Return 12:00
Level of physical activity: Low
Minimum-Maximum: 13-23
Price: US$70 (Price includes transportation and snacks.)
Special notes: Wear outdoor clothes, rain gear/sunscreen, and walking shoes.
Old Québec, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the birthplace of French America, is a fortified city steeped in over 400 years of history and rich cultural heritage. This visit focuses on urban archaeological sites and offers a concrete illustration of how cultural heritage is integrated into impact assessment processes. It highlights preventive archaeology practices and heritage protection mechanisms within an urban development context. Participants will learn how archaeological constraints are considered from the earliest planning stages, how local authorities (City of Québec, MCC, Parks Canada) collaborate with developers and experts, and how excavation findings are shared and valued with the public.
Sunday, 17 May 2026
Depart 09:30 | Return 16:30
Level of physical activity: Moderate
Minimum-Maximum: 12-39
Price: US$130 (Price includes lunch at Château Frontenac, excluding beverages)
Special notes: This visit is on foot. Wear outdoor clothes, rain gear/sunscreen, and walking shoes. Limited accessibility for people with impaired mobility.
The Romaine power plant on the Romaine River in Northern Québec offers a unique opportunity to witness firsthand the realities of a large-scale hydroelectric project. Accompanied by a representative from Hydro-Québec and an environmental specialist, participants will explore the implementation of this major project, as well as the numerous mitigation measures put in place and the environmental monitoring program. This immersive experience aims to promote transparency, showcase best practices in environmental assessment, and equip participants to better recognize and deconstruct the misleading narratives often associated with such projects.
Monday, 18 May 2026
Depart 06:00 | Return approx. 19:30
Level of physical activity: Moderate
Minimum-Maximum: 15-42
Price: US$250 (Price includes breakfast and light dinner on plane, box lunch, snack, and transportation including chartered plane)
Special notes: Early registration deadline — this visit will close on 18 April. No pacemakers allowed. Passport required. Wear outdoor clothes, rain gear/sunscreen, and closed shoes (no sandals allowed).
Sponsored by Hydro-Québec.
Experience a true Québec tradition with this cultural visit to a festive sugar shack dinner at Le Relais des Pins on Île d’Orléans, just 25 minutes from the congress center. Enjoy a hearty, 2-hour family-style meal featuring maple-infused dishes like tourtière (traditional meat pie), baked beans, maple-glazed ham, pancakes, and even maple taffy on snow. Surrounded by rustic charm, live folk music, and plenty of laughter, guests can join in with wooden spoons and immerse themselves in this warm, unforgettable celebration of Québec’s maple syrup heritage.
D1: Monday, 18 May 2026 | Depart 18:00 | Return 21:00
D2: Saturday, 23 May 2026 | Depart 11:30 | Return 14:30
Level of physical activity: Low
Minimum-Maximum: 40-93
Price: US$60 (Price includes transportation and meal. Alcoholic beverages can be purchased separately.)
Special notes: None.
The Cap Tourmente NWA, made up of marshland, plains, and forests, is located on the north shore of the St. Lawrence River, 50 kilometers northeast of Québec City. Established in 1978 by Environment and Climate Change Canada, its purpose is notably to protect the American bulrush marshes, the main habitat of the greater snow goose during its migration. Participants can see firsthand how environmental communication strategies, rigorous scientific monitoring, and stakeholder engagement combine to prevent disinformation, inform public decision-making, and continuously assess the impacts of a protected site.
Monday, 18 May 2026
Depart 08:00 | Return 16:00
Level of physical activity: Low to moderate
Minimum-Maximum: 15-27
Price: US$180 (Price includes transportation, admission fee, box lunch, snack, and water)
Special notes: Wear outdoor clothes, rain gear/sunscreen, and hiking shoes. Bring insect repellent. Optional: Bring binoculars for bird watching.
This visit will begin at the construction site of the new Île d’Orléans Bridge—one of the first projects in Québec to undergo an impact assessment using the issue-based approach. Participants will gain insight into how this method was applied in practice. The visit will then continue with a guided tour of Montmorency Falls, standing 30 meters higher than Niagara Falls. The tour will explore over 250 years of history, from early exploration and the 1759 French-British battles to the industrial era and the construction of one of Québec’s first hydroelectric power plants. The area has been restored to its natural beauty, making it a major attraction for visitors.
Monday, 18 May 2026
Depart 08:30 | Return 12:30
Level of physical activity: Moderate
Minimum-Maximum: 24-46
Price: US$60 (Price includes transportation, lunch box, snack, water, and admission fees including gondola ride)
Special notes: Safety boots are mandatory to approach the bridge. Boots will NOT be provided, so participants must bring their own. Safety boots have rigid soles and protective toe caps made of steel, composite, etc. If participants do not have proper boots or prefer not to approach the bridge (i.e., if they stay at the viewpoint outside of the direct construction site), walking shoes are sufficient. Wear outdoor clothes and rain gear/sunscreen.
IAIA26 will be held on the Onyionhwentsïio’, the land of the Wendat Nation. This cultural visit to Wendake offers an experience of the Wendat heritage and culture. Participants will enjoy a guided tour of the Wendat museum, followed by a visit to the longhouse, showcasing traditional architecture. The experience will continue with a three-course meal at La Traite restaurant, where Indigenous flavors meet gourmet cuisine. Participants are then invited to explore Wendake at their own pace, discovering local artisans, shops, and the Akiawenhrahk river.
Monday, 18 May 2026
Depart 08:45 | Return 16:00
Level of physical activity: Low
Minimum-Maximum: 15-46
Price: US$115 (Price includes transportation, 3-course meal, snack, water, and admission fees)
Special notes: Wear outdoor clothes, rain gear/sunscreen, and walking shoes.
Several wind farm projects are being built or are under study in regions near Québec which are known for their recreational and tourism attractions. You will visit a wind farm facility with the Environmental Project Manager and his environmental consultant and see the main issues associated with this type of project, the mitigation measures, and the integration efforts that are being made. The windfarm is located in the beautiful Parc du Massif du Sud, a year-round “must-visit” destination. After the windfarm visit, the tour will take you on a beautiful hiking trail.
Saturday, 23 May 2026
Depart 08:30 | Return 16:00-17:00
Level of physical activity: Low to moderate
Minimum-Maximum: 15-49
Price: US$170 (Price includes transportation, lunch box, snack, water, and park pass)
Special notes: Safety boots are mandatory to approach the turbine. Boots will NOT be provided, so participants must bring their own. Safety boots have rigid soles and protective toe caps made of steel, composite, etc. If participants do not have proper boots or prefer not to approach the turbine (i.e., they can be close to the windmill but must stay a certain distance from the turbines), walking/hiking shoes are sufficient. Wear outdoor clothes and rain gear/sunscreen. Weather is unpredictable in May, and the tour will be adapted based on the condition of the access roads.
This visit demonstrates how accurate, site-based interpretation can enhance public understanding of environmental systems. Explore the breathtaking Parc national de la Jacques-Cartier, home to a stunning 550-meter-deep glacial valley. Begin the day with a rabaska canoe excursion, gliding across calm waters while learning about the park’s history and conservation efforts. Afterward, enjoy a catered lunch. The adventure continues with a guided one-hour walk through the area’s diverse landscapes, offering a closer look at its rich natural beauty and cultural heritage. This immersive experience combines paddling, walking, and learning for a memorable day in one of Québec’s most spectacular natural settings.
Saturday, 23 May 2026
Depart 09:00 | Return 16:00
Level of physical activity: High
Minimum-Maximum: 15-39
Price: US$165 (Price includes transportation, lunch, and access/activity fees)
Special notes: Wear outdoor active clothes and rain gear/sunscreen.
An immersive tour through three flagship projects that showcase innovative approaches to shoreline stabilization, flood management, and ecological restoration in urban environments. These projects demonstrate the harmonious integration of civil engineering, bioengineering, and phytotechnology in response to today’s environmental and climate challenges. The tour will include three key sites: the vegetated shoreline stabilization at Jacques-Cartier Beach, which addresses progressive erosion along the St. Lawrence River; the Promenade Samuel-De Champlain, where an ecosystem-based approach was used to recreate representative riparian wetlands; and the Lorette River project, which showcases permanent infrastructure designed to protect vulnerable areas from flooding.
Saturday, 23 May 2026
Depart 09:30 | Return 16:00
Level of physical activity: Moderate
Minimum-Maximum: 10-20
Price: US$165 (Price includes transportation, lunch box, snack, and water)
Special notes: Wear outdoor clothes, closed shoes, and rain gear/sunscreen.
Who can register? IAIA26 delegates and their guests can register for technical visits at the same rate. Guest tickets must be purchased under the main delegate’s registration.
How do I secure my spot? You must be pre-registered and pre-paid by 29 April 2026 (or 18 April for Visit C). Registrations are processed in the order payment is received.
Can I add a technical visit later? If you have already registered for the conference but want to add a technical visit for you or a guest, contact info@iaia.org with your request; this cannot be done online. Any additions must be made by 29 April (or 18 April for Visit C).
How many people on each visit? Minimum/maximum numbers are noted in each description. If the visit you choose does not reach the minimum number by 18 March, IAIA HQ will notify you and provide refund information or offer to transfer you to another visit.
Where do we meet? Technical visits depart from the conference venue. Plan to check in for the visit a minimum of 15 minutes prior to noted departure time. Busses will leave on time. Late arrivals will not be admitted.
What if I need to cancel? If you must cancel, the fee will be refunded, less an administrative fee of 25% of the technical visit cost, provided we receive written cancellation notice by 29 April. No refunds will be given after that date.
Liability statement: IAIA, the organizing committee, and the venue will not be responsible for medical expenses, accidents, losses or other unexpected damage to property belonging to conference participants, either during or as a result of the conference and during all tours and events. Participants are strongly advised to arrange their own insurance for health and accident, lost luggage and trip cancellation.
Participants will be required to sign a liability release waiver upon check-in for the visits. See below.
I hereby WAIVE AND RELEASE the International Association for Impact Assessment from liability pertaining to my participation in IAIA26 Technical Visits.
I understand and agree that I am releasing not only IAIA, but also IAIA’s officers, agents, and employees. I understand and agree that by signing this Waiver/Release, I am assuming full responsibility for any and all risk of death or personal injury or property damage suffered by me while participating in the IAIA26 Technical Visit.
I understand and agree that this Waiver/Release will have the effect of releasing, discharging, waiving and forever relinquishing any and all actions or causes of action that I may have or have had, whether past, present or future, whether known or unknown, and whether anticipated or unanticipated by me, arising out of my participation in the IAIA26 Technical Visit.
I understand and agree that this Waiver/Release applies to personal injury, property damage, or wrongful death which I may suffer, even if caused by the acts or omissions of others. I understand and agree that this Waiver/Release will be binding on me, my spouse, my heirs, my personal representatives, my assignees, my children and any guardian for said children.
I confirm that I do not have any physical limitations, medical ailments, or physical or mental disabilities that would limit or prevent me from participating in the IAIA26 Technical Visit.