{"id":44831,"date":"2025-08-07T09:25:02","date_gmt":"2025-08-07T14:25:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/portage.ca\/?page_id=44831"},"modified":"2025-11-11T11:45:17","modified_gmt":"2025-11-11T16:45:17","slug":"annual-report-2024-2025","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/portage.ca\/en\/annual-report-2024-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Annual report 2024 – 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n\t\t\n\t\t\tFR\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/h5>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\"portage-logo-white\"\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n

\n\t\t\t2024-2025 Annual report\t<\/h1>\n

\n\t\t\tChallenges met, hundreds of people helped\t<\/h3>\n

\n\t\t\n\t\t\tHighlights\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/h5>\n
\n\t\t\n\t\t\tImpacts\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/h5>\n
\n\t\t\n\t\t\tFoundations\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/h5>\n
\n\t\t\n\t\t\tGovernance\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/h5>\n
\n\t\t\n\t\t\tFinances\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/h5>\n
\n\t\t\n\t\t\tFR\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/h5>\n

\n\t\t\tA Word from the President and CEO \t<\/h2>\n\t

Dear Members of the Portage Community,<\/strong><\/p>\n

I accepted the role of President and CEO of Portage last September with a feeling of profound humility and a deep sense of responsibility. From my very first days leading this exceptional organization, I have been inspired by the remarkable dedication of our teams, the excellent quality of services provided, the resilience of our residents and the powerful bond that unites us all around a shared goal: helping individuals overcome substance dependence and rediscover hope, dignity and autonomy.<\/p>\n

When I took on this role, I inherited a rich legacy that has been developed over the decades by passionate and committed people. Their legacy inspires me every day to exercise leadership that is human, thorough and focused on innovation. As the need for mental health and substance dependence treatment continues to evolve, Portage must be more agile, creative and bold than ever before while staying true to its core principles.<\/p>\n

Over the past year, I have visited several of our centres and spoken with members of our clinical and administrative teams as well as partners and donors. This proximity has strengthened my conviction that Portage is a vital source of support for thousands of adolescents, adults and families across the country. Together, we change lives.<\/p>\n

A New Leadership Cycle and Vision\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n

The past year marked a pivotal phase in the history of Portage, borne by a will to structure our governance process and ensure a healthy division of powers. After more than fifty years of operation, a major and forward-looking transition has started taking shape with the separation of tasks previously assumed by the founding president. In 2024, this transition ushered in an important period of organizational transformation for the board of trustees, executive management and related entities.<\/p>\n\t

The appointment of a new chairman of the board of trustees in September 2023, followed by my appointment as president and CEO in 2024, marked the beginning of a renewed governance and leadership cycle. As part of this renewal, several organizational measures were introduced: adopting a new organizational chart for our headquarters, reviewing the mandates of the board of trustees’ standing committees and updating our general by-laws. All these measures have strengthened our ability to meet future challenges and seize new opportunities, for the benefit of our mission and the people we help.<\/p>\n

Resilience and Partnerships for a Sound Future<\/strong><\/p>\n

Faced with major financial challenges, we had to make some hard decisions over the past year, including reducing our accommodation capacity in the province of Qu\u00e9bec by 24%. While difficult, this measure was vital to preserving what makes us strong: the quality and integrity of our services.<\/p>\n

In Ontario, a significant chapter of our history came to an end with the closing of our facilities in the province. While this was a difficult decision, we made sure it was implemented with care by providing support to each person affected by the closures, until their rehabilitation journey was completed. Our aftercare services and family support groups were maintained. Ensuring the continuity of these services reflects our steadfast commitment to the people we support.\u00a0 Today, we look to the future with confidence. A new agreement with the Qu\u00e9bec government is nearing completion and our partnership with the government of New Brunswick remains strong, with a shared commitment to developing and expanding our services in the province. Portage is committed to remaining a trusted partner for governments and health networks that rely on us.<\/p>\n

With this in mind,\u00a0<\/strong>Portage maintains and develops strategic alliances with many partners, including entities from the Government of New Brunswick and the Government of Quebec-particularly Sant\u00e9 Qu\u00e9bec-as well as hospitals, the justice system, organizations providing support for mental health and homelessness, First Nations and Inuit communities, and the Universit\u00e9 de Sherbrooke. Through this collaboration, our employees have the opportunity to earn a certificate in addiction studies while continuing to work, fostering the professional development of our teams.<\/p>\n

Our expertise has been highlighted in academic and professional circles. This year, as part of the AFINet convention, two conferences were held at Laval University: one on family support groups in the context of external therapy services and another on parent and adolescent support groups.<\/p>\n

These strategic partnerships strengthen the stability of our organization and reinforce our mission: to provide rehabilitation and social reintegration services that rise to the aspirations and challenges of all those in need.<\/p>\n

The Invaluable Contribution of Community Support<\/strong><\/p>\n

Among the partners who, year after year, enable us to pursue our mission with hundreds of individuals are our donors, to whom we extend our heartfelt gratitude. All those who choose to support our mission help us enhance our services and respond more effectively to the needs of our residents. Giving to Portage is far more than a financial contribution, it is a concrete commitment and a powerful expression of trust in those we serve.<\/p>\n

Thanks to the support Portage receives, we are confident in our ability to carry forward our mission, to innovate, and to further strengthen our impact in the community. You provide us not only with the means to do so, but also with the reassurance that we are not alone in these efforts. In the year ahead, we will continue to do everything possible to honour that trust and maximize the impact of your support.<\/p>\n

Working Together to Build a Hopeful Future<\/strong><\/p>\n

Building on the steps taken over the past year, we will soon begin developing our 2026-2029 strategic plan. This process will be both engaging and inclusive, bringing together all the driving forces of our organization with the goal of shaping a shared vision and establishing strong directions for the future.<\/p>\n

Portage wants to harness its full potential to become a force for sustainable change in the lives of individuals struggling with substance dependence. We want to offer communities accessible, innovative services that are deeply rooted in the realities of the people we help.<\/p>\n

In close partnership with the governments of Qu\u00e9bec and New Brunswick, and thanks to our strong network of collaborators, we are determined to respond quickly and effectively to the increasing and pressing needs of the populations we serve.<\/p>\n

One of our projects, to open an external day centre in Moncton, New Brunswick, will be an important milestone. Designed in cooperation with local organizations, this space will welcome and support adolescents and young adults, provide a gateway to recovery and facilitate access to all Portage services.<\/p>\n

True to our mission and our commitment to ongoing improvement, we are strengthening our ties with First Nations and Inuit communities to work together to design solutions that are tailored to their cultures and respectful of their values, traditions and realities.<\/p>\n

Working Together Toward a More Supportive and Inclusive Future \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

As we start a new page of our history, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to all those who contribute to our mission.<\/p>\n

Thank you to our board of trustees for their strategic vision and their confidence.<\/p>\n

To the executive management and directors of our centres, whose commitment and leadership are an inspiration to our entire organization.<\/p>\n

I also want to thank our employees who transform lives every day through your compassion and professionalism.<\/p>\n

Many thanks to our donors, partners and volunteers: \u00a0please know that your support is vital in giving our residents hope for a brighter future.<\/p>\n

To our residents, be assured that you are at the heart of our mission. We are deeply grateful for your trust and your dedication to this journey.<\/p>\n

The coming year will be pivotal as we work to strengthen our impact, improve access to services and continue to innovate in order to address the realities of today and tomorrow. I am convinced that we will achieve these objectives by building on the strength of our community, employees, donors, volunteers, partners and friends.<\/p>\n

Together, we are not only supporting people during their recovery, we are building a stronger, more inclusive and more compassionate society.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\"Paul\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\tPaul C\u00f4t\u00e9
\n<\/strong>Chair of the Board of Trustees<\/em>\n

\n\t\t\tA Word from the Chair of the Board of Trustees\t<\/h2>\n\t

In 2023, I had the honour of being appointed Chair of the Portage Board of Trustees. I took up my mandate with three clearly defined and structuring goals: to clarify the division of roles between the chairmanship of the Board and the executive management of the organization; to oversee and highlight the rigorous process that led to the hiring of the new president and chief executive officer; and, lastly, to conduct a thorough review of our general by-laws in accordance with the requirements of a modern, transparent and efficient governance process.<\/p>\n

These undertakings were carried out in a thorough, open and highly collaborative manner. Today, as my term comes to a close, I am leaving behind a strong foundation that will support Portage during its new governance and leadership cycle. This transition follows the departure of our founding president and marks a pivotal moment as Portage embarks on a period of renewal that will preserve its spirit while strengthening its organizational structure and its resilience for years to come.<\/p>\n

I wish to convey my deep gratitude to the members of the Board of Trustees for their steadfast commitment, to Mr.\u00a0Peter Howlett for his founding vision of Portage and his outstanding contribution throughout the decades, to Ms.\u00a0Genevi\u00e8ve Lefebvre, our new president and chief executive officer, for her inspiring energy and her determination, and to the management team and employees of Portage for their dedication to the youth and adults we support.<\/p>\n

Thanks to you, Portage is ready to write a new chapter of its history.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMISSION, VISION, VALUES\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\"Map\n

\n\t\t\tOur Programs\t<\/h2>\n\t

Centre for Youth in Atlantic<\/a><\/p>\n

Centre for Youth in Quebec<\/a><\/p>\n

Centre for Francophone Youth in Eastern Quebec<\/a><\/p>\n

Centre for Adults<\/a><\/p>\n

Day Centre for Adults in Quebec City<\/a><\/p>\n

Mother and Child Centre<\/a><\/p>\n

Mental Health and Addiction Centre<\/a><\/p>\n

Portage Foundation in Atlantic<\/a><\/p>\n

Portage Foundation in Quebec<\/a><\/p>\n

Community Housing<\/a><\/p>\n

Employment Reintegration Centre (Quebec City)<\/a><\/p>\n

Employment Reintegration Centre : MIRE (Montreal)<\/a><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tHighlights\t<\/h2>\n

\n\t\t\t2024-2025: Advancing Sustainable Recovery\t<\/h3>\n\t

Portage is proud to offer rehabilitation services that combine rigor, compassion, and innovation. Our person-centered approach ensures attentive support at every stage of the recovery journey, with seamless transitions and ongoing support for loved ones.<\/p>\n

We enhance our mission through complementary services that increase the likelihood of success for our clients:<\/p>\n