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Annual Report 2025-2026

Community leadership in support of measured, sustainable growth

Guided by its 2024–2028 strategic plan and its organizational plans related to quality, safety, and equity, Montfort Renaissance reaffirms its commitment to informing the community, evaluating its actions, and continuously evolving its programs and services from a perspective of quality, safety, and collective well-being.

Message from the Chair of the Board of Directors

Driven by the steadfast commitment of its teams and the strength of its partnerships, Montfort Renaissance has navigated a pivotal year marked by significant transformations and a steadily evolving environment. The organization has maintained the accessibility and quality of its services while adapting with agility to emerging realities and the changing needs of the communities it serves.

In this context, the Board of Directors (“Board”) distinguished itself through its sustained involvement and strong sense of responsibility. Beyond ensuring rigorous governance, it played a key role in guiding the organization through its transitions, while maintaining clear direction and supporting the adjustments required. This approach made it possible to combine stability with evolution, fostering coherent progress in a spirit of trust, collaboration, and collective mobilization.

One year after her appointment, Elizabeth Tanguay has fully stepped into her role as Executive Director. Through her unifying approach, rigour, and commitment to the community, she brings Montfort Renaissance’s mission to life in a meaningful way. Under her leadership, the 2025–2026 year was marked by significant progress, including the opening of the West Ottawa HART Hub, which concretely improves access to addiction services, as well as the launch of the Franco Ottawa Active Living 50+ Portal, strengthening access to information for older adults. These initiatives, along with milestone moments such as the 30th anniversary of Les Ateliers de l’Élan, the raising of the Franco-Ontarian flag at Terrasses Montfort Renaissance to mark its 50th anniversary, and the rollout of new mental health services, clearly illustrate Montfort Renaissance’s ability to combine innovation and sustainability by developing new initiatives while continuing to evolve services that have long been rooted in the community.

These achievements reflect the collective strength that drives Montfort Renaissance. They are the result of coordinated efforts involving dedicated teams, engaged directors and coordinators, and partners invested in the success of shared projects. This collaborative dynamic is a key lever for ensuring lasting impact.

The Board wishes to highlight the professionalism and outstanding contribution of the teams, whose daily commitment makes it possible to deliver high-quality services centered on the needs of individuals and communities. Their involvement is at the heart of the mission and actively contributes to the organization’s reach.

Montfort Renaissance is well positioned to continue its evolution, building on strong foundations, responsible governance, and a vision firmly focused on continuous improvement and the well-being of communities.

Building on this pivotal year, the Board of Directors reaffirms the importance of strong community leadership, grounded in open, collaborative governance and collective intelligence. This approach, focused on measured and sustainable growth, will guide the organization’s next steps.

Michel Lavigne
Chair, Board of Directors
Montfort Renaissance

Message from the Executive Director

Building on the renewed community leadership highlighted over the past year, Montfort Renaissance has taken important steps forward, driven by a shared commitment to grounding its growth in a measured, sustainable approach that remains true to its mission.

This first year in my role has been a valuable opportunity to discover the richness of Montfort Renaissance in depth—its teams, the people it serves, and its partners. I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the trust placed in me and for the warm welcome I received within this organization, which is deeply committed to its community.

This period has been marked by a clear desire to better understand the realities experienced on the ground in order to guide meaningful action aligned with the needs of both staff and clients. It has been grounded in an approach centred on listening, proximity and dialogue, all in support of a more cohesive organization committed to continuous improvement.

The many meetings with staff, visits to program sites and discussions with partners have highlighted the distinctive strengths of Montfort Renaissance while also identifying promising opportunities for growth and development. This process has helped shape priorities and strengthen the alignment of initiatives with the realities of the communities we serve.

Throughout the year, concrete actions were implemented to consolidate gains and thoughtfully evolve the service offering in ways that are adapted to emerging needs. Whether through the development of structuring projects, the strengthening of community presence, or the improvement of work environments, these initiatives reflect a shared determination to act with rigour, coherence, and purpose.

This progress was made possible by the commitment and expertise of all teams, whether they work directly with clients or support day-to-day operations. Their ability to collaborate, innovate, and adapt is a key strength of the organization.

The year ahead will build on this same momentum: moving forward with coherence, ambition, and responsibility so that we can continue to respond sustainably to the needs of communities and to the constantly evolving realities of our environment.

Elizabeth Tanguay
Executive Director
Montfort Renaissance

All of the actions and achievements of 2025–2026 align with the axes of the 2024–2028 strategic plan, which guides Montfort Renaissance’s directions in terms of service quality, innovation, organizational adaptability, and community engagement.

01

Quality and safety

A Commitment to Quality and Safety

The quality and safety of programs and services remain at the heart of Montfort Renaissance’s priorities. To support this commitment, the organization continued throughout the year a structured planning process in preparation for the Accreditation Canada visit scheduled for November 2026. This effort aims to strengthen practices, ensure rigorous alignment with standards, and support continuous improvement.

This mobilization reflects a clear commitment to accountability to the community. Quality and safety monitoring, supported by regular reporting and governance mechanisms, enables the organization to assess practices, foster collective learning, and continuously enhance its programs and services.

In this context, the Board of Directors and the management team came together for a strategic retreat marked by rich discussions and forward-looking reflections that will help shape the organization’s future.

Under the leadership of Board Chair Michel Lavigne and Executive Director Elizabeth Tanguay, the retreat provided an opportunity to take a comprehensive look at the factors influencing the organization and to explore key priorities in greater depth, including measured and sustainable growth, employee well-being, proactive asset management, organizational performance, and integrated risk management.

Supported by both small-group and plenary discussions, this process also provided an opportunity to further advance reflection on governance standards in preparation for the Accreditation Canada visit, with expert guidance from Émilie Delisle, Director of Quality, Risk and Ethics at Montfort Hospital.

This initiative demonstrates a sustained commitment to strengthening and advancing organizational practices in preparation for the Accreditation Canada visit and beyond.

Émilie Delisle (Directrice de la qualité, des risques et de l’éthique de l’Hôpital Montfort) et Amélie Nadon (Directrice de la qualité, des technologies et de la sécurité de l’information de Montfort Renaissance)
Émilie Delisle (Director of Quality, Risk Management and Ethics at Montfort Hospital) and Amélie Nadon (Director of Quality, Technology and Information Security at Montfort Renaissance).

Francophonie at the Heart of Our Work

Montfort Renaissance is an organization designated under the French Language Services Act, reaffirming its commitment to providing accessible, high-quality services in French to the communities it serves. The active offer of French-language services is therefore a cornerstone of its mission and guides all of its actions, ensuring an equitable and responsive approach to meeting the needs of Francophone populations.

This commitment is also reflected in its active participation in numerous committees, initiatives, and partnerships aimed at promoting and strengthening French-language services at both the local and provincial levels.

As part of its commitment to supporting the vitality of the Francophone community, Montfort Renaissance participated in the 2026 Gala de la francophonie plurielle, held at the Ottawa Conference and Event Centre. This unifying event highlighted the diversity, engagement, and dynamism of the Francophone community while fostering dialogue and collaboration among partners, community leaders, and decision-makers.

De gauche à droite : Monique Thibodeau-Laflamme, Karina Potvin, Josée Chalifoux, Michel Lavigne, Elizabeth Tanguay, Mark Sutcliffe, François Hamel et Hélène Nadeau.
From left to right: Monique Thibodeau-Laflamme, Karina Potvin, Josée Chalifoux, Michel Lavigne, Elizabeth Tanguay, Mark Sutcliffe, François Hamel and Hélène Nadeau.
02

Vitality and adaptability

The People Behind Montfort Renaissance

Montfort Renaissance recognized the dedication and commitment of its employees during Employee Recognition Day, highlighting their essential contribution to the quality of services provided and to the well-being of the clients and communities served.

As part of the Mois de la Francophonie, this tribute took on special significance, underscoring the importance of delivering services in French and reaffirming the organization’s strong Francophone identity and roots. 

The raising of the Franco-Ontarian flag at Montfort Renaissance Terrasses, as part of Franco-Ontarian Day, was a highlight of the year. This symbolic gesture, carried out in the presence of employees, residents, and members of the Board of Directors, reflected the organization’s deep commitment to the vitality and identity of the Francophone community. It also reaffirmed its mission to provide high-quality services in both official languages within an inclusive and caring environment.

Elizabeth Tanguay, Michel Lavigne et Hélène Nadeau
Elizabeth Tanguay, Michel Lavigne and Hélène Nadeau
André-Olive Hemabou (conseillère en soutien résidentiel), Marie-Erlens Estimé (stagiaire), Bobyca Cherilus (coordonnatrice des services de logement) et Josée Chalifoux (directrice des services de logement)
André-Olive Hemabou (Residential Support Counselor), Marie-Erlens Estimé (Intern), Bobyca Cherilus (Housing Services Coordinator) and Josée Chalifoux (Director of Housing Services)

These initiatives help strengthen employees’ sense of belonging and organizational pride.

Beyond the services provided, the experiences of those we serve demonstrate the essential role our teams play in supporting individuals on their journey toward recovery, well-being, and an improved quality of life.

Raising our profile as an Employer

The Human Resources team maintained an active presence in the community, particularly through its participation in various job fairs. These efforts provided valuable opportunities to connect with prospective candidates, promote career opportunities, and raise awareness of the organization among diverse audiences.

Zolaida Heriveaux and Sandra Montalvo
Zolaida Heriveaux et Sandra Montalvo

Beyond this human and organizational commitment, Montfort Renaissance relies on strong foundations and sound management practices to ensure the sustainability of its initiatives and maximize its impact.

The testimonials below provide tangible evidence of the impact of our teams’ work and serve as a reminder that behind every service delivered are meaningful human connections and a genuine commitment that make all the difference. This dedication is also reflected in Montfort Renaissance’s ability to stand out as an employer of choice within the community. 

Client Testimonials

I can't say enough about the staff, they are amazing.
The staff went above and beyond to be supportive, positive, accommodating, empathetic, understanding, patient, need I go on.
I was lost when I came and staff helped me plan my recovery, helped me plan make calls, and helped follow up on me and my programs.
Great staff. Welcoming and non-judgmental.
An excellent, skilled, and bilingual team, providing high-quality services in French.

Ensuring Sustainability and Strengthening Impact

Responsible Management in Support of Our Mission

In 2025–2026, Montfort Renaissance reported revenues of $17,508,140 and expenses of $17,070,188, supporting the continuity and ongoing adaptation of the programs and services provided to the community.

Revenues

17 508 140 $

  • Ontario Health 67,6 %
  • Other Revenues and Donations 12 %
  • Rental 10,9 %
  • City of Ottawa 9,5 %

Expenses

17 070 188 $

  • Salaries, Employee Benefits, and External Consultants 69,9 %
  • Land and Buildings 18,1 %
  • Direct Expenses 8,3 %
  • Supplies and Other Expenses 3,7 %

This financial discipline helps ensure the delivery of accessible, high-quality services while supporting the ongoing development and continuous adaptation of the organization’s service offerings.

Quality, Safety and Governance: Strong Foundations

Throughout the year, Montfort Renaissance relied on a structured approach to quality and safety, including regular monitoring, quarterly reporting, and dedicated governance mechanisms. These efforts are carried out through committees composed of Board members, members of the management team, and employees, and are aimed at fostering a culture of accountability, prevention, and continuous improvement.

Audits, the monitoring of quality and safety indicators, and the analysis of incidents enabled the organization to refine its practices and support organizational learning throughout the year.

Feedbacks, complaints, and compliments from clients, collected through various engagement mechanisms and experience evaluation processes, are rigorously analyzed and directly contribute to identifying improvement priorities and guiding the evolution of programs and services. This approach helps ensure that actions and initiatives remain aligned with the real needs of the community.

Impact on Our Clients and Communities

8 500+ Clients served through our programs and services
2 000+ primary care interventions with seniors, housing, and mental health clients → 300+ of these interactions helped prevent a hospital visit or a deterioration in health status (hospital diversions).
1 200+ primary care interventions with clients receiving addiction services → 150+ hospital diversions through tailored community-based interventions.

During the 2025–2026 year, Montfort Renaissance served more than 8,500 individuals through its mental health, addictions, housing, and seniors’ services programs.

Through close collaboration with hospital partners, MRI helped improve access to care while reducing pressure on hospital services. These integrated approaches make it possible to intervene earlier and provide appropriate care within the community.

This collaborative model generated tangible outcomes in terms of access to care, prevention, and reduced reliance on hospital-based services.

 This year, more than 3,200 specialized clinical interventions were delivered at Montfort Renaissance, including over 450 hospital diversions. Based on an Ontario conservative estimate of approximately $323 per emergency department visit (Alliance for Healthier Communities, 2022), these diversions represent nearly $145,000 in avoided emergency department costs.

 This contribution is complemented by the work of AccessMHA, which reached 63% of all clients served by Montfort Renaissance. Among those supported, more than 60% reported that they would not have known how to access help otherwise and would likely have sought care through an emergency department or a physician as an alternative. In addition, 94.5% were successfully matched to the treatment or service that best met their needs. For illustrative purposes, if only 10% of these individuals had actually visited an emergency department in the absence of AccessMHA, this would represent more than $103,000 in additional emergency service costs.

Beyond the nearly $250,000 in potential savings associated with these conservative scenarios alone, these interventions are primarily about ensuring that people receive the right care, at the right time, and in the right place. By reducing barriers to access, promoting early intervention, and preventing the escalation of mental health, substance use, and physical health challenges, they generate both human and economic value—improving access to care, supporting recovery, and reducing pressure on hospital services.

This contribution is not limited to primary and community care; it is also reflected in the stability and capacity of our residential settings, which maintained high occupancy rates throughout the year.
98,8 % Terrasses Montfort Renaissance
98 % Résidence Montfort Renaissance
03

Development and improvement

Community Leadership in Action

The initiatives implemented this year provide a tangible demonstration of community leadership rooted in local needs and focused on creating lasting impact.

The West Ottawa HART Hub: A Transformative Initiative

The 2025–2026 year was marked by the opening of one of the sites of the West Ottawa Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hub, the result of two years of sustained community collaboration. This transformative initiative, led by seven partner organizations and supported by more than twenty organizations across the region, embodies an innovative model of integrated care designed to improve access to treatment, support, and stability for individuals experiencing substance use challenges.

Montfort Renaissance plays a key role in this initiative by providing residential stabilization services, helping to create a welcoming, safe, and non-judgmental environment. This approach supports a sustainable path toward recovery and well-being.

Prior to the opening, members of the Board of Directors and the management team toured the facilities, providing them with a firsthand look at the scope and impact of this collaborative project, which reflects a shared commitment to supporting some of the community’s most vulnerable clients.

De gauche à droite : Josée Chalifoux, Elizabeth Tanguay, Dominic Giroux, François Hamel, Marie-Andrée Carrière, Roger E. Régimbal, Benoit Séguin, Steve Vachon, Michel Lavigne et Amélie Nadon
From left to right: Josée Chalifoux, Elizabeth Tanguay, Dominic Giroux, François Hamel, Marie-Andrée Carrière, Roger E. Régimbal, Benoit Séguin, Steve Vachon, Michel Lavigne and Amélie Nadon

The West Ottawa HART Hub demonstrates a tangible way of acting with both ambition and responsibility by developing sustainable solutions to address the community’s complex needs.

Strengthening Connections Within the Francophone Community

The launch of the Franco Ottawa Active Living 50+ Portal marked a major step forward in improving access to information and fostering engagement among Francophone seniors. Developed in collaboration with five Francophone active living centres, this innovative digital platform brings together information on activities and services available across East Ottawa.

Unveiled on the International Day of Older Persons during a hybrid event that connected multiple locations and attracted strong community participation, the initiative highlighted a positive and dynamic vision of aging. The day’s messages reaffirmed that growing older means continuing to thrive, contribute, and play a central role within our communities.

Supported in part by the Ontario Trillium Foundation, the project promotes social participation, strengthens community connections, and actively contributes to healthy aging and the inclusion of older adults.

This year also saw increased participation by employees and Board members in events organized by Francophone organizations across Ottawa, helping to strengthen community relationships and raise awareness of Montfort Renaissance’s programs and services.

Three Decades of Community-Based Mental Health Recovery

This year, Les Ateliers de l’Élan celebrated its 30th anniversary, marking three decades of commitment to Francophone community-based mental health recovery in Ottawa. This milestone event brought together more than 60 participants, partners, and key stakeholders, highlighting the program’s reach and enduring importance.

Centered on art, peer support, and collective action, the program embodies a compassionate and inclusive approach to recovery. Inspiring personal stories, along with a presentation by Luc Vigneault, a pioneer in the field of peer support, underscored the power of mutual support and the importance of community-based accompaniment. The presence of partners and public representatives further reflected the recognition and value of this flagship initiative.

Strengthening and Enhancing Our Mental Health and Addiction Services

Several transformative initiatives were implemented this year to better respond to the needs of the individuals and communities we serve.

The establishment of a Perinatal Mental Health Clinic now makes it possible to provide specialized services to a population that is often underserved, while improving access to care, particularly for individuals without a family physician.

The integration of a Nurse Practitioner within the court assistance and diversion program has also helped improve access to health care for individuals involved in the justice system, with the initiative being expanded across the local region.

Finally, the provincial recognition of the Coordinated Access Program positions Montfort Renaissance as a regional service hub for Eastern Ontario, while further affirming its expertise and leadership in the field.

04

Community involvement

An Active and Recognized Presence in the Community

Throughout the year, Montfort Renaissance maintained an active presence within the community across all its areas of service—mental health, addictions, housing, and services for seniors—helping to respond in meaningful and tailored ways to the needs of the community.

This commitment was reflected through participation in numerous events and initiatives led by Francophone and community partners, helping to raise the profile of the organization’s programs and services while strengthening connections across the community.

Participation in CAPSA Canada’s 2025 WOW Festival (“Working on Wellness”) provided an opportunity to engage with hundreds of community members alongside more than 100 organizations, helping to raise awareness of mental health and addiction-related issues.

Montfort Renaissance’s Executive Director participated in the Race to End Homelessness, an event organized by the Alliance to End Homelessness Ottawa that brought together more than 250 participants and raised over $30,000 in support of initiatives aimed at preventing and reducing homelessness.

Montfort Renaissance also participated in the 20th Annual Snowflake Breakfast, a holiday tradition supporting Partage Vanier Food Bank of the Centre de services communautaires de Vanier. Thanks to the generosity of participants, more than $110,000 was raised to help combat food insecurity and provide essential support to over 1,700 people each month in the Vanier community.

This collective effort highlights the importance of community partnerships and solidarity in responding to the community’s most essential needs.

De gauche à droite : Monique Thibodeau-Laflamme, Dominic Giroux, Adelyne Adonis, Laurwendy Clermont, Steve Vachon, Benoit Séguin et Stéphanie Bonenfant
From left to right: Monique Thibodeau-Laflamme, Dominic Giroux, Adelyne Adonis, Laurwendy Clermont, Steve Vachon, Benoit Séguin and Stéphanie Bonenfant

Throughout the year, Montfort Renaissance maintained a strong presence in the community, further strengthening its role as an engaged and committed community partner.

L’équipe des programmes de santé mentale de Montfort Renaissance présente à l’ouverture de la 5<sup>e</sup> Semaine de la santé mentale des Noir·e·s d’Ottawa, portée par le thème « Brisons le silence ».
The Montfort Renaissance Mental Health Programs team attended the opening of Ottawa’s 5th Black Mental Health Week, held under the theme “Breaking the Silence.”

The Strength of Collaboration

The achievements of the past year reflect a collective commitment—one shared by our clients, employees, Board members, and partners—who contribute each day to bringing Montfort Renaissance’s mission to life.

Montfort Renaissance will continue this work in 2026–2027 by remaining responsive to the community and by continuing to evolve its programs and services to meet changing and emerging needs.

Board of Directors

First row (from left to right): Karina Potvin, Hélène Nadeau (Vice-Chair), Elizabeth Tanguay (Executive Director), Caroline Richard and Renée Légaré

Second row (from left to right): Roger E. Régimbal, Dominic Giroux, Loudia Ghars, Philippe Lefebvre (Treasurer), André Rodier and Michel Lavigne (Chair)

Not pictured: Soukaina Boutiyeb

Management Team

First row (from left to right): Monique Thibodeau-Laflamme (Director of Seniors Services), Elizabeth Tanguay (Executive Director) and Marie-Andrée Carrière (Director of Addiction and Recovery Services)

Second row (from left to right): Steve Vachon (Director of Mental Health Programs and Coordinated Access), Josée Chalifoux (Director of Housing Services), Benoit Séguin (Director of Finance and Facilities), Amélie Nadon (Director of Quality, Technology and Information Security) and François Hamel (Director of Human Resources)

Acknowledgements to Our Partners

We extend our sincere thanks to all our partners, collaborators, and funders for their invaluable contributions. Their commitment and collaboration strengthen the impact of our work and help us better respond to the needs of the communities we serve.

Acknowledgements to Our Clients

We would like to express our deepest gratitude to our clients for the trust they place in us and for allowing us to be part of their journey.
Their courage, commitment, and resilience inspire everything we do and give meaning to our mission. While every journey is unique, each one highlights the importance of providing services that are accessible, responsive, and person-centred. By working together, we help promote well-being, support recovery, and foster greater inclusion within our community.

Thanks to the relentless efforts and collaboration of everyone here at Montfort Renaissance, we continue on this path for the benefit of our clients and our community as a whole.

Find out about Montfort Renaissance’s recent achievements by going through the following annual reports: (Only available in French)