What We Do

7 core events

  • THE SCHOOL TOUR

    Presented by

    The Grand défi Pierre Lavoie’s mission is to install healthy life habits in young people through regular physical activity and good nutrition. Since November 2008, the School Tour team has visited elementary schools all across Québec to motivate children to adopt healthier life habits and take part in the Energy Cube Challenge held in May. This tour, which is in its 16th edition in 2024-2025, takes place throughout the school year.

     

    An unforgettable day

    In the morning, to start this special day in a big way, all the students gather in the gymnasium for a dynamic presentation by the School Tour team. During the day, the children have opportunities to do a Zumba, training or yoga activity. Some children do two activities in the Véhicube, a specially outfitted bus parked at the school. They experience the “Eat Better” workshop, an interactive virtual activity to learn more about healthy eating, and the “Move More” workshop, a physical activity on stationary bikes. Other students take part in a classroom workshop, which includes discovering an interactive iPad game also promoting healthy eating.

  • THE ENERGY CUBES CHALLENGE AND THE GRAND PRIZE EVENT

    The Energy Cubes Challenge

    The Energy Cubes Challenge is designed to encourage children and their families to be more active during the month of May. Schools and educational childcare services (SGÉE) try to collect as many energy cubes as possible to increase their chance of winning numerous prizes.

    How to participate:

    • During May, children and school staff must be as physically active as possible to earn the most possible energy cubes for their school.
    • Every 15 minutes of uninterrupted physical activity earns one energy cube. The cubes can be earned at school, at the daycare or at home.
    • When the child or school staff member is active with one or more members of their immediate family, they earn 1 additional cube for each family member who participates.

    To learn more about the challenge or to find inspiring ideas to get moving, visit cubesenergie.com.

    The Grand Prize comes to your school!

    The ultimate recognition awarded to the schools participating in the Energy Cubes Challenge! The Grand Prize has been reinvented as an unforgettable, unique and colourful celebration. During the month of June, the Grand défi team will criss-cross Québec to meet with young people and present The Grand Prize at the winning schools. Every year, 17 schools from all across the province are treated to an exclusive day of unparalleled activities and surprises.

  • THE 1 000 KM EVENT

    Presented by

    In collaboration with

    The 1 000 KM event is the “adult” component of the Grand défi Pierre Lavoie. It is a spectacular cycling marathon that brings together 1,000 cyclists who ride in relay behind Pierre Lavoie, who, himself, bikes the entire 70-hour circuit in 12 stages that will start on Université Laval Campus. Participants will bike all around Quebec City and its surroundings.

    The 1 000 KM event is not merely an athletic feat. For Pierre Lavoie, this event is above all a forum to raise awareness in our society of the importance of changing our life habits to ensure our children’s future.

    All of the event’s proceeds are donated to the Grand défi Pierre Lavoie Foundation to support medical research on orphan diseases and to fund projects that promote healthy life habits.

  • La Boucle

    Presented by

    La Boucle is a cycling event for all ambassadors of healthy living who want to expand the reach of the health movement started by Pierre Lavoie. On June 15th, make your way to the starting line in Quebec and join 5,000 other cyclists in the Grand Défi. Participants ride a 135-km loop closed to traffic and are joined by the riders from The 1 000 KM event.

  • La Petite Expé

    In collaboration with

    Supported by

    The goal of La Petite Expé is to introduce young people from all backgrounds to the pleasure of cross-country skiing and to encourage them to be more active during the winter. The many partnering centres all across Québec provide rental equipment (cross-country skis, boots and poles) and access to their trails at no cost to elementary schools and all children 12 years of age or younger.

  • La Grande marche

    Presented by

    In collaboration with

    La Grande Marche is a free event open to everyone. As friends, as family, and with their family doctor, the walkers complete a 5-km loop in the participating cities and towns.

  • 1,000,000 KM Together

    Because moving is good for your health, Grand défi is launching the mission to cover at least one million kilometres by cycling, running, swimming, walking or climbing. The 1,000,000 KM Together event is for everyone, regardless of age or physical condition. Anything is possible!

    Participants must complete the challenge alone or in a group, at their own pace and near their homes. Elementary and high-school students across the province are also encouraged to get out into the fresh air to rack up the kilometres. The 1,000,000 KM Together website is the rallying point for all participants and shows our progress in real time as we cover the kilometres to reach the ultimate goal. It’s motivating and unifying! There’s no reason not to be part of this movement as we promote healthy life habits.

Tangible Results

  • Impact in the community

    11 years of engagement, 25 million dollars distributed

    Since it began, the Grand défi Pierre Lavoie has redistributed more than $25 million in the community.

    Grants Awarded by the Grand défi Foundation

    Projects In 11 years
    Orphan disease research $3,605,000 *
    Healthy life habits $2,357,000**
    Other projects $581,000
    Total $6,543,000

    Distribution of funding in the last 11 years
    *$3,375,000: 193 research projects concerning more than 80 orphan hereditary diseases
    $230,000: Regroupement québécois des maladies orphelines

    **$1,445,000: 230 elementary schools for projects promoting a healthy, active lifestyle
    $912,500: 53 organizations in Quebec for projects in relation to our mission


    The impact of the 11th edition of the Grand défi and its foundation

    The Grand défi is a non-stop relay of activities and events with the common goal of a more active Quebec. This year’s busy schedule once again made it possible to raise much-needed funds for the Foundation and the schools of Quebec. These funds will give life to many projects in connection to healthy life habits, as well as support research on orphan hereditary diseases.

    3.4 million dollars distributed during the 11th edition:

    • 428 elementary schools in Quebec will be able to purchase sports equipment or fund a project in relation to our mission
    • 5 organizations will be given financial support to continue their activities
    • 9 master’s and doctoral students will receive a scholarship to fund their research projects
    • 15 researchers will be able to use some of the collected funds for their projects

    Cyclist Sponsors : 18.5 million dollars redistributed

    The cyclists registered in The 1,000 KM and La Boucle helped more than 1,550 elementary schools purchase sports equipment or fund a project in relation to the Grand défi’s mission.

  • Financial Results

    Summary for the year ended on September 30, 2020
    Data extracted from the financial statements audited from Mallette s.e.n.c.r.l.

    Sources of founding ($000)
    Public funding 2,243
    Private funding ― donations and sponsorships 2,530
    Other sources of funding 215
    Total 4,988

    Expenses ($000)
    Administration, management and fundraising costs 860
    Donation to Fondation du Grand défi Pierre Lavoie
    Donations to schools
    Activities and events 4,231
    Total 5,091

    Additional information is available at the Canada Revenue Agency website.

    Click here to view the Grand défi’s results published by the Canada Revenue Agency.


    Investing in the Grand Défi’s Mission

    With the adoption of healthy life habits as its main priority, the Grand défi works hard to optimize each dollar received from its generous partners, donors and participants. An effective, rigorous management model ensures the sustainability and effectiveness of the existing programs and promotes the creation of new activities that will broaden support for the movement.


    Administrative Spending

    • 83.1 % : investments in the mission
    • 16.9 % : management and administration costs

    Sources of Grand défi Funding

    • 55.0 % : private funds (donations, sponsorships and registration fees)
    • 45.0 % : from the governments of Quebec and Canada