Minister Ya’ara Saks’ Visit to Portage Lac Écho

Reflecting on a Monumental Visit

On September 4^th, 2024, Portage was privileged to welcome the Honorable Ya’ara Saks, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health, to our Lac Écho Centre in Prévost, QC. The visit marked a significant step forward in our collaborative efforts to improve mental health and addiction services across the region.

Distinguished Guests

Accompanying Minister Saks was Mrs. Hillary Morgan, Director of Operations at the Office of the Minister. Portage was represented by a notable contingent of its leadership team, including M. Peter Vamos, Executive Director; Elsa Rizkallah, Director of Legal Affairs and Corporate Secretary; and Allan Farkas, Director of Admission. From the Lac Écho Centre, Benoit Lauzon, Director of the Adult Program, and Patrick Varin, Director of the Adolescent and Young Adults Program, were also present. Mrs. Dorothy Reitman from the Board of Directors joined to offer her insights and support.

Highlights of the Visit

The visit began with an official meeting at 10:00 a.m., followed by a guided tour of the centre. Minister Saks had the opportunity to engage with residents from both the Adult and Adolescent and Young Adults programs, gaining firsthand insight into their experiences. The visit concluded with a lunch at noon, providing a relaxed environment for further reflection and discussion.

This visit highlighted the importance of the work being done at the Lac Écho Centre and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting mental health and addiction recovery programs.

We thank the Honourable Ya’ara Saks for the visit and for her support toward our mission.