In the late 1960’s, a group of Montreal residents, concerned about the increasing prevalence of drug addiction in the city, set out to find a solution to this growing social problem.
A grassroots committee founded Portage in 1970. They chose Portage as the name of the organisation, as a symbol of the rehabilitation process:
“Portage: Finding a pathway around an
obstacle in order to continue the journey”
Portage Quebec - Since 1973
With funding from the J. W. McConnell Family Foundation, Portage’s first residential rehabilitation centre opened its doors on February 14, 1973, in Prevost, on Lac Écho, in the Laurentian Mountains near Montreal. The Portage Lac Écho centre is still in operation, now home to an adult rehabilitation program and two adolescent programs.
Adult and adolescent programs have also been extended to the Quebec City region, and specialised programs for pregnant women, mothers with young children, and people with mental illness have been established in Montreal.
Employment reintegration programs have also been established in Montreal and Quebec City.
Portage Atlantic - Since 1996
In collaboration with the Government of New Brunswick, various community members, and the Lions Services Clubs, the Portage Atlantic drug addiction rehabilitation centre for youth was established at Cassidy Lake, New Brunswick, in 1996.
Important Dates
1970 - The Portage Program for Drug Dependencies is incorporated.
1973 - The Portage Foundation is incorporated and a drug addiction rehabilitation centre for adults is opened in Prévost, near lac Echo, in Quebec.
1975 -The Head Office in Montreal is opened and a Day Centre is established in Montreal, along with a program to provide services to family members.
1982 - Centre d'accueil Le Programme de Portage, inc. is incorporated.
1984 - A Day Centre in Quebec City is opened.
1985 - A residential addiction rehabilitation centre for adolescents is established in Elora, Ontario.
1987 - The Portage Employment Reintegration Centre is created in Quebec City.
1991 - A residential drug addiction rehabilitation centre for adolescents is established at the Portage lac Echo centre.
1995 - The residential rehabilitation program Mental Health and Addiction (MICA) is created.
1996 - The Mother and Child Program is created, a first of its kind in Canada.
1996 - A residential drug addiction rehabilitation centre for adolescents is opened at Cassidy Lake, New Brunswick.
1999 - A residential drug addiction rehabilitation centre for adolescents is opened in Saint-Damien-de-Buckland, Quebec.
2001 - A residential drug addiction rehabilitation centre for English-speaking adolescents is opened in Beaconsfield, Montreal.
2002 - MIRE (Movement for Integration and Retention in Employment), an employment reintegration program, is established in Montreal, in association with the Fondation Lucie et André Chagnon.
2009 - A residential addiction rehabilitation centre for adolescents is opened in Keremeos, British Columbia.
2009 – A Daycare centre, La Ribambelle, is opened at the Mother and Child centre in Montreal.
2009 - The Habitations Communautaires Portage Inc. are opened for the graduates of the Mother and Child program.
2010 - Portage is accreditated by Accreditation Canada.
2011 – Portage signs an agreement with the Wapan Rehabilitation Centre for Quebec First Nations.
2013 - Portage develops a rehabilitation program for the Inuit community who are serving time in prison.
2022 - Inauguration of the Le Viking Pavilion for Adult Women at Lac Écho
2024 - Inauguration of the Subsidized Daycare La Ribambelle at the Mother and Child Centre
2025 - Inauguration of the Marcelle and Jean Coutu Pavilion at the Adolescents and Young Adults Centre at Lac Écho
2025 - Opening of the Moncton Community Care Program, New Brunswick