In an ever-changing world, engineering plays an essential role in creating sustainable, innovative infrastructure assets that meet the challenges facing our society. At CIMA+, our team of experts, including Luc Séguin, a seasoned municipal engineering and transportation professional, is committed to turning ideas into tangible realities. With nearly 30 years’ experience, Luc has led numerous projects in municipal infrastructure, road engineering, and water and wastewater treatment.
In this article, we are pleased to share an interview with Luc, who reveals his passion for engineering, the challenges he has tackled throughout his career, and his vision for the future of the infrastructure sector.
Why did you choose engineering? What do you like about it?
Ever since I was a child, I’ve been driven by an insatiable curiosity about how things work. This desire to grasp underlying mechanisms and solve complex puzzles naturally steered me towards engineering. This field offers a unique platform for combining my passion for manufacturing and construction with a broader goal: improving our environment. What particularly fascinates me about engineering is the possibility of transforming abstract ideas into concrete solutions that have a tangible impact on the world. The ability to innovate, design and see projects materialize, while contributing to technological progress and sustainable development, is what motivates me most about this profession.
What aspect of your work is the most rewarding for you?
It is undeniably teamwork to design and implement innovative solutions that generate tangible benefits for our society. Each project is the fruit of a collective effort, with each team member contributing his or her unique expertise to create efficient, sustainable infrastructure assets. Satisfaction also comes from celebrating our successes, knowing that our achievements contribute to the well-being and quality of life of the people around us and the communities to which they belong.
Which project do you dream of carrying out?
As a child, I dreamed of working at Disney, designing imaginary worlds, and creating fantastic experiences. Today, although I am not fulfilling those childhood dreams with Mickey Mouse, I find immense satisfaction in helping to shape the future through concrete, meaningful projects. My aim is to participate in initiatives that will have a positive long-term impact on our environment and society. By engaging in innovative and ambitious projects, I seek to design solutions that respond to the challenges facing the communities we serve. It’s my way of helping to build a better world for everyone.
Which CIMA+ project did you find the most stimulating? Why?
Over the course of my career, I’ve encountered a variety of challenges that have enriched my experience in consulting engineering. One of the most stimulating projects was watershed management, in particular that of Dalton-Bergeron Creek. This project was complex because of the interaction between rural and urban sectors and the significant risks associated with flooding. Developing a plan incorporating a variety of solutions to strengthen the basin’s resilience to climate change required the application of advanced stormwater management techniques, which was particularly rewarding from a technical point of view.
On the project management front, another major challenge was the installation of drinking water distribution and wastewater collection networks for the village of Kitigan Zibi. This project, which I’m very proud of, provided drinking water and wastewater treatment services to a community of 1,200 people who had no access to them before. Our work has greatly improved the quality of life of these people by meeting the basic need of having access to quality water.
The layout of our new offices in Gatineau was another major project I managed as office manager. Creating a stimulating work environment for our teams, while meeting functional and aesthetic requirements, was a significant but very gratifying challenge.
How do you think you can make a difference in communities through your role?
Consulting engineering offers a unique opportunity to contribute positively to the well-being of communities by developing tailored, sustainable solutions. Every project we undertake is designed to address a range of local issues. My role is to design solutions that are not only effective, but also optimal in terms of sustainability, cost, and environmental impact. By integrating energy-efficient practices and implementing innovative approaches, we aim to improve people’s quality of life while meeting the highest ecological standards. This holistic approach enables us to create infrastructure assets that are both functional and environmentally friendly, thus contributing to more sustainable and equitable development.
What sets the CIMA+ Infrastructure team apart from the competition?
What truly sets the CIMA+ Infrastructure team apart is our constant commitment to collective excellence. We have a collaborative culture where every success is celebrated not just as an end in itself, but as a springboard to surpass ourselves. Our team is driven by a continuous desire to push the boundaries, always looking for opportunities to improve our methods and optimize our results. This dynamic of continuous progress and our team spirit are the key elements that enable us to stand out in the industry, providing solutions that meet our clients’ needs.
How would you describe the perfect project?
With nearly 30 years’ experience, I am well aware that the perfect project remains an aspiration rather than a reality. However, every new project is an opportunity to strive for perfection. To get closer to this ideal, it is crucial to adopt an approach based on humility and efficiency. This means putting the right resources in the right place, listening carefully to team members and client needs, and addressing their concerns throughout the project. At the same time, it is essential to ensure the project’s economic profitability. This vigilance enables us to focus our efforts on the technical and human aspects of our work, ensuring optimal execution and a lasting positive impact.
In your opinion, which sector has the most potential for the future?
Taken as a whole, the urban infrastructure sector offers considerable potential, but it is the “invisible” infrastructure assets in particular, those we often take for granted, that are of key importance in the context of climate change. These include drinking water distribution networks, wastewater collection systems, and stormwater management and treatment. Optimization and innovation in this field are essential to ensure greater resilience in the face of climate challenges. What’s more, the integrated, intelligent management of these systems, which interact in complex ways, represents an area of enormous potential. Moving towards more adaptive and connected systems will not only improve operational efficiency, but also better meet the growing needs of urban populations while minimizing environmental impact.
What is your vision for the Infrastructure group and for CIMA+?
For the Infrastructure sector, I see constant, steady progress driven by the tremendous potential of the essential infrastructure assets mentioned earlier, and by the exceptional skills of our teams. We can compare this progression to “taking small steps that go a long way”: it’s not about achieving spectacular feats, but rather about maintaining sustained and stable growth, without major upheavals, while adapting our practices to the evolution of the sector.
As for CIMA+, I am very optimistic about the future. By maintaining our agile, multidisciplinary approach, combined with our culture of entrepreneurship and innovation, we are well positioned to pursue our growth. I am convinced that our firm will continue to evolve and establish itself as an industry leader, meeting our clients’ needs and anticipating future challenges.
What is your hobby for relaxing? What do you do to take your mind off work when you’re off?
In a fast-paced world, I find it essential to recharge my batteries through activities that contrast with this constant effervescence. My favorite pastimes include gastronomy, particularly smoking and charcuterie making. These activities require patience and attention to detail, which allows me to enjoy the present moment. Hunting, too, offers a space for contemplation and communion with nature. The primary goal of these hobbies is to share precious moments with my family and friends, offering them unique culinary experiences and enriching memories.