Photo: Liv Mann Tremblay

On April 16, in the Executive Lounge of the new National Bank head office, 180 of the most influential business leaders in Québec gathered for a shared cause: our veterans.

The very first Soirée Résilience organized by Le Sentier marked a historic turning point for the organization. Sold out well in advance, this inaugural corporate fundraising event not only met its financial targets—it significantly exceeded them. Thanks to the exceptional generosity of partners and donors, $226,823 was raised.

“Visionary leaders from across Québec came together in an extraordinary display of solidarity for our transitioning veterans. Their presence, generosity, and commitment were deeply moving—and their support produced tangible outcomes, allowing Le Sentier to continue expanding its services and fulfilling its mission for those who have served. I am sincerely grateful to every person who participated, contributed, and supported this cause. Together, we have demonstrated that our veterans are not forgotten—they are supported, celebrated, and never alone in their journey.”
— Chloé Deraiche, Executive Director, Le Sentier

A societal signal in a shifting geopolitical context

At a time when issues of security and sovereignty are once again at the forefront of the international stage, the exceptional mobilization of Québec’s business community in support of transitioning military personnel carries significance far beyond philanthropy. It reflects an explicit recognition of the moral contract binding society to those who have served.

Each year, thousands of members of the Canadian Armed Forces leave uniform life facing complex realities: invisible injuries, post-traumatic stress disorder, isolation, and reintegration challenges. In Québec, the scarcity of specialized French-language services further intensifies these challenges.

The response seen during this evening is not incidental: it represents a true vote of confidence in concrete solutions—and a call for collective action.

“Being named Honorary Chair of the Soirée Résilience is not a title I took lightly—it is a commitment I carried with immense pride and deep personal conviction. Québec veterans have shaped who we are as a society. They embody our past, our resilience, and our most cherished values. But honouring them is not only an act of remembrance—it is a responsibility toward those serving today and those who will answer the call tomorrow. This is why I chose to become personally involved in this campaign: because resilience is not a virtue to be celebrated once. It is a value we must cultivate across generations. The remarkable people who gathered at the Soirée Résilience reminded us that when our community speaks, our leaders listen.”
— Louis Vachon, Honorary Chair, Soirée Résilience | Partner, J.C. Flowers

Québec’s defence ecosystem steps up

The presence of leaders from the defence and aerospace industries—MDA Space, Héroux-Devtek, Bombardier, ADGA, Aéroports de Montréal, Reaction Dynamics, TASK Micro Electronics, as well as the Business Development Bank of Canada through its Defence Strategy—confirms a strong conviction: Veterans are a strategic asset for Canada.

“Veterans bring leadership, skills, and resilience that continue to serve our society long after their military service ends. Supporting their transition to civilian life is both a responsibility and an opportunity—one that strengthens our communities, our defence ecosystem, and Canada’s economic sovereignty. Through initiatives like the Soirée Résilience, BDC is proud to stand alongside partners who help veterans build fulfilling civilian careers.”
— Peter Dawe, Vice-President, Defence Strategy, Business Development Bank of Canada

Thanks to the success of the Soirée Résilience—made possible by the commitment of partners across multiple sectors who united to make this event a success—the business community and supporters across Québec demonstrated they are paying attention.

“What particularly struck me during this evening was the sincere and collective momentum of support and solidarity from partners across all sectors. It clearly shows that business leaders do not think about veterans only on November 11—they are concretely and collectively engaged year-round in supporting their transition and recognizing their exceptional contribution to their community and society.”
— Lieutenant-General (Ret.) Jean-Marc Lanthier, President and CEO, ADGA Group

The presence of the Honourable Ian Lafrenière, Deputy Premier, Minister of Public Security, and Minister responsible for Relations with First Nations and Inuit—himself a veteran—gave the event significant institutional weight, clearly positioning veterans’ transition issues as a public policy priority in Québec.

“Veterans who have served our nation deserve unwavering support upon their return to civilian life. The challenges they face—whether physical, psychological, or social—are real and complex. That is why it is essential to provide comprehensive services that address all aspects of their post-deployment transition. Le Sentier does remarkable work by offering these services free of charge to Québec veterans, and I commend their unwavering commitment to those who have given so much to protect us.”
— Ian Lafrenière, Deputy Premier, Minister of Public Security, Minister responsible for Relations with First Nations and Inuit

A direct message to veterans: services exist, here and now

Beyond financial success, one concern remains: too many veterans are still unaware that tailored resources exist for them. Founded by Lieutenant-Colonel (Ret.) Bruno Plourde, a veteran with over 40 years of service, Le Sentier offers a unique continuum of services in both French and English: psychosocial support, administrative assistance, temporary housing, and socio-professional integration.

“The vision that guided the creation of Le Sentier was, above all, human. I was driven by the deep conviction that transitioning veterans deserve simple, humane, and effective access to services tailored to their needs. Today’s announcement validates the relevance of this need and confirms Le Sentier’s commitment to offering all Québec veterans accessible transition services. This support will allow us to continue growing and expanding our reach to serve even more veterans in need. It is more than a financial contribution—it is the tangible sign of a community coming together to support its veterans and directly help change lives.”
— Lieutenant-Colonel (Ret.) Bruno Plourde, Founder, Le Sentier

A movement in motion

Building on this inaugural success, Le Sentier confirms that the 2027 Soirée Résilience is already in preparation. The momentum observed goes beyond a single event: it signals the emergence of a lasting movement in which Québec Inc. actively engages in the transition and recognition of its veterans.

“This campaign has delivered concrete results, and it is thanks to the exceptional commitment of all our partners and donors that Le Sentier will continue its programs to support transitioning veterans quickly and effectively. The response from key stakeholders—the business leaders of Québec—sends a strong message: we are with you. A major step forward for all Québec veterans.”
— Kat Coric, Chief of Partnerships, Soirée Résilience