With more than 20 years of experience in engineering, Martin St-Laurent, Senior Director in the Infrastructure sector at CIMA+, has contributed to the delivery of numerous projects that have had a concrete impact on local communities. Passionate about his field, he uses his expertise to design sustainable and innovative solutions, while sharing his knowledge with the next generation of engineers.
In this interview, he tells us about his professional journey, the significant challenges he has faced during his career and his vision for the future of infrastructure assets. Discover what motivates him on a daily basis and what contributes to his team’s strength at CIMA+.
What to you find most rewarding about your work?
It’s the feeling of fulfilment I get when I see that I have a positive impact on the career paths of others, whether by sharing my knowledge or my experience.
Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to be guided by mentors who have passed on their knowledge and vision to me. Each of them has given me something unique, and I have been able to draw inspiration from these lessons to chart my own path.
Today, having received a lot and as I continue to learn from others, I consider it a privilege to be able to give back in turn. What is fascinating is that sharing is an exchange: by giving, we also receive. We all have something to learn from each other. Seeing my colleagues evolve, gain confidence and develop their skills is an invaluable source of motivation.
Which projects are you most proud of and why? / Which project carried out at CIMA+ presented you with significant challenges? Why?
The project I am most proud of is the refurbishment of the infrastructure in the Plateau sector in Fossambault-sur-le-Lac. This project affected approximately one hundred homes and involved the complete reconstruction of the underground infrastructure, including the replacement of water mains, sanitary sewers, and drainage systems. The drinking water network, which had become obsolete, no longer generated adequate pressure to supply residents, while infiltration into the sewer network compromised the performance requirements of the pumping station.
This project was particularly stimulating because of the technical challenges it posed. The high water table in the sandy soil led us to explore innovative solutions, such as the use of “pressure” class sewer pipes to limit infiltration. In addition, given the very flat terrain in the area, we studied the possibility of opting for a vacuum sewer system, an approach that is still not very common in Québec.
What makes me particularly proud is not so much the scale of the project, but rather the complexity of the challenges it involved and the direct impact it had on the community. Seeing the project successfully come to fruition on time and on budget was very satisfying. As it was also one of my first large-scale projects, it offered me a valuable learning opportunity and allowed me to refine my approach, both in terms of design and project management.
According to you, which area has the greatest potential for the future?
In my opinion, it is northern engineering for several reasons.
The current geopolitical context should accelerate government investments aimed at modernizing existing infrastructure assets and developing new ones. Security and access to natural resources will undoubtedly be at the heart of this strategy.
In addition, the accelerated melting of permafrost due to climate change poses a major challenge. By weakening the foundations of buildings, roads and essential networks, it directly affects northern communities, particularly indigenous communities, which are already facing challenges in terms of housing, access to services and infrastructure resilience. Adapting our design and construction methods to this new reality is a necessity to ensure the durability and safety of facilities in those regions.
This market also aligns with CIMA+’s values and vision. Our commitment to sustainable development and our desire to have a positive impact on indigenous communities drives us to innovate and propose adapted and sustainable solutions.
The future of northern infrastructure assets depends on a thoughtful, collaborative and concerted approach, where innovation and sustainability are at the heart of the decision-making process. It is an ambitious challenge, but also a unique opportunity to design meaningful projects that have a concrete and lasting impact for future generations.
What is your hobby to unwind? What do you do to take your mind off things when you are not working?
Although I cannot travel as often as I’d like, I love planning my next destinations and dreaming of the places I would like to discover! Travelling is a very gratifying experience for me and helps me maintain a good balance.
I also really like camping, which allows me to reconnect with nature while exploring new regions. There’s nothing like getting away from it all and immersing yourself in nature to recharge your batteries.
I am also a big fan of board games and video games, with a marked preference for strategy games. Beyond the intellectual challenge they involve, it is above all the social aspect that I like. Sharing a good time with friends over a game is always an excellent way to relax.
Why did you choose engineering? What do you like about it?
My natural interest in mathematics and science steered me towards engineering. I chose to specialize in civil engineering because it was a concrete way for me to contribute to the well-being of communities, regardless of where I would be working. Designing and improving essential infrastructure assets has always seemed to me to be a tangible way to have a positive impact on society.
After 20 years of doing this job, what continues to fuel my passion for this field is above all the diversity of my work. In consulting engineering, every project is unique, every client has specific needs and requirements, and every context requires a customized approach. You must constantly analyze, adapt and innovate to meet technical, environmental and human constraints. This dynamic of thinking and problem solving is what makes my job so stimulating on a daily basis.
How would you describe your department/sector? What is its greatest asset/strength?
In a nutshell, the Infrastructure team in Québec stands out for its adaptability and resilience.
The traditional infrastructure market, particularly with regard to cities and municipalities, is highly competitive and operates in a demanding commercial environment. Our teams have always been able to overcome these challenges with agility and efficiency, despite limited latitude in many cases.
This context has enabled us to build a culture of innovation, collaboration and resilience. We constantly seek to optimize our solutions to meet technical, budgetary and regulatory challenges. Collaboration is at the heart of our approach, both within our organization and with our business partners and clients.
It is this combination of thoroughness, adaptability and long-term vision that makes our sector a solid, forward-looking team.