April 03, 2023
OTTAWA, April 3, 2023 - The Esplanade Gilles Desjardins, Brigil, was officially unveiled today in front of distinguished guests, media representatives and members of the Montfort family, along with a recognition plaque. The businessman earned these honours following his exceptional donation of one million dollars as part of the Fondation Montfort's major fundraising campaign last June.
"Gilles Desjardins' philanthropic accomplishments over the past few years have had a direct impact on the population in many ways. His great generosity is exemplary and the Fondation Montfort is privileged to have him at its side. It is therefore essential for us to publicly recognize his generosity for his exceptional donation to the Carrefour santé Aline-Chrétien in Orléans," said Marc Villeneuve, CEO of the Fondation Montfort.
This financial support will contribute to the improvement of health care offered in the east end of Ottawa through the Aline-Chrétien Health Hub, which offers a new model of care, centered on the patient and their needs, in both official languages.
Behind the lettered display on the main façade of the Hospital lies Gilles Desjardins' desire to contribute to improving the quality of life of people in his community. Those who dig deeper will also see a love affair with the Hospital, which was not only his birthplace but that of several family members, including his father, his wife, his sisters, his brothers and his two children.
"My family and I have been working since 1985 to help the National Capital Region flourish. As citizens who build with purpose, it is an honour for us to support Montfort in its quest for innovation and to continue to offer quality health care in French, for our community, and for future generations," says Gilles Desjardins.
This is not the first time Brigil's founding president has been honoured in this way. Gilles Desjardins' name also adorns the façade of the Nouvelle-Scène theatre and the Gatineau Hospital Cancer Centre, thanks to similar donations.
About Brigil
Brigil is a leading real estate company in Canada's National Capital Region. Since 1985, it has built more than 14,000 housing units and owns nearly 4,000 rental units, plus 2,000 which are currently under construction. With an impressive collection of landholdings, Brigil intends to build more than 44,000 housing units within the next 20 years, strategically located in forty communities on both sides of the Ottawa River. Brigil is helping to alleviate the housing crisis while creating vibrant, sustainable and inclusive communities. Its founding president, Gilles Desjardins, is at the head of the family business, accompanied by his two sons, Jessy and Kevin. They are supported by a solid team of 300 professionals. Gilles Desjardins was awarded the Grand Bâtisseur (Great Builder) Award by the APCHQ Outaouais for his lifetime achievements. Committed to his community, he is recognized as one of Quebec's greatest patrons and received the Meritorious Service Medal of Canada from the Governor General in 2018. This is why the company’s mission goes beyond that of the builder. Brigil builds with purpose. For more information please visit brigil.com
About the Montfort Foundation
Incorporated in 1986, the Montfort Foundation receives, maintains and administers funds for the development, expansion and promotion of Montfort Hospital's mission in health, education and research, and community well-being. To learn more about the Montfort Foundation, visit fondationmontfort.ca
About the Orléans Aline-Chrétien Health Hub
The Aline-Chrétien Health Hub will be a unique and innovative model that will bring together a range of specialized and community-based care under one roof. The Crossroads project is a partnership between the Youth Services Bureau, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Eastern Ottawa Resource Centre, Montfort Hospital, Ottawa Public Health, Geriatric Psychiatry Community Services of Ottawa, Bruyère and the Champlain LHIN. Completed and open since June 2021, residents of Ottawa's east end, from newborns to seniors, benefit from integrated, needs-based programs offered in both official languages and close to home.
For more information on the Aline-Chrétien Health Hub, visit carrefoursantealinechretien.com.
For more information:
Sylvie Carbonneau
Director, Communication and Marketing
Brigil
Yamil Coulombe
Communications Manager, Donor relations
Montfort Foundation