Manon Barbe receives the 2026 Janette-Bertrand Wellness Award!
Tel-Aide Montréal is proud to present the 2026 Janette-Bertrand Wellness Award to Manon Barbe, founder of Maison de soins palliatifs Sault-Saint-Louis. The award was presented on November 5 at Le Mount Stephen in Montréal during the TAM-TAM DON benefit evening, which marked Tel-Aide Montréal’s 55th anniversary. This year, Tel-Aide Montréal also presented its first Special Recognition Award to Maurice Lajeunesse, a longtime volunteer with La Dépanne Alimentaire.
Manon Barbe brings a community together to improve end-of-life care
For 13 years, Manon Barbe volunteered to help bring Maison de soins palliatifs Sault-Saint-Louis to life. The hospice opened in 2025 in response to a need identified by families in Montréal’s Greater Southwest. Since opening, it has provided compassionate end-of-life care and support for loved ones, free of charge. Now chair of the hospice foundation’s board of directors, Manon continues to volunteer to help secure its future.
Tel-Aide Montréal also recognizes the dedication of the two other finalists, Linda Bambonye of Parkinson Montréal-Laval and Brenda Kwan of Centre Sino-Québec de la Rive-Sud.
Maurice Lajeunesse receives the first Special Recognition Award
Maurice Lajeunesse, 92, received the Special Recognition Award for his 26 years of volunteering with La Dépanne Alimentaire. Before retiring from volunteering in August 2026, he delivered food hampers and helped prepare food, contributing to thousands of instances of food assistance for individuals and families in vulnerable situations.
The business community comes together to support the listening service
Nathalie Larue, Executive Vice-President, Personal Services and Community Life, Stéphan Drolet, Regional Managing Partner for Québec at KPMG, and Stéphanie Gendron, President of m&h, served as honorary co-chairs of the TAM-TAM DON benefit evening.
Tel-Aide Montréal also counts on the support of its annual partners. Desjardins is the lead partner, KPMG is the associate partner, and Beneva is the platinum partner. Bell Let’s Talk and the J.A. DeSève Foundation are gold partners.
An award for volunteers who make a lasting difference in their communities
Established in 2024, the Janette-Bertrand Wellness Award honours volunteers whose exceptional dedication makes a lasting difference in their communities. Inspired by Tel-Aide Montréal’s values and the legacy of Janette Bertrand, who served as the organization’s spokesperson for 25 years, the award recognizes people who often work behind the scenes to make life better for others.
About Tel-Aide Montréal
For 55 years, Tel-Aide Montréal has offered a free, anonymous and confidential listening service in English and French. Available day and night, the service gives anyone experiencing loneliness, anxiety or distress a chance to talk to someone who will take the time to listen with empathy. In 2025–2026, the organization answered more than 22,700 calls with the help of more than 180 volunteers.
To support Tel-Aide Montréal, visit our donate section.
Need someone to listen? Call 514-935-1101 or 1-877-935-1101.
