DEVCORE GROUP WINS MERCURE AWARD

GATINEAU, May 6, 2025 – Devcore Group was awarded the “Community Engagement” prize last night during the 45th edition of the prestigious Mercuriades Awards, organized by the Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec (FCCQ) at the Palais des congrès in Montréal.

This recognition highlights the boldness and exceptional social impact of Campement Guertin, an emergency heated tent initiative launched during the winter of 2023–2024, which laid the foundation for Village Transitiôn — a long-term transitional housing project currently under construction in Gatineau.

This Mercure award adds to another distinction received in 2024: the “Philanthropic Commitment of the Year” award, granted to Devcore during the Gala Excelor hosted by the Gatineau Chamber of Commerce for the very same initiative.

Key Facts

Established in 1981, the Mercuriades Awards are among the most respected business competitions in Québec.
The “Community Engagement” prize honors businesses that give back to their communities in a remarkable way.
Campement Guertin was conceived and built in just 21 days, mobilizing an unprecedented cross-sector collaboration. It provided warm, safe shelter to 56 people experiencing homelessness during the winter of 2023–2024.
- No fatal overdoses, serious frostbite, or fires were reported.
- Two overdoses were successfully reversed thanks to rapid intervention.
- More than 20 residents obtained RAMQ health cards, and over 10 regularized their tax situations.

Village Transitiôn, inaugurated on December 23, 2024, is the second phase of the initiative. It currently houses approximately 40 residents, with a goal of eventually hosting 100 people. Theproject features modular micro-units, structured psychosocial support, and shared community spaces.
The initiative has created a replicable model, now cited as an example for other communities in Québec and across Canada.
The entirety of Phase 1 (the heated tents) was funded through support from public and private partners, including:
- Ville de Gatineau
- CISSS de l’Outaouais
- Government of Québec – Hon. Lionel Carmant
- Suzanne Tremblay, MNA for Hull
- Itinérance Zéro Gatineau
- Benefaction Foundation
- Katasa
- Centraide Outaouais
- Choquette Legault Foundation
- Brigil
- Pomerleau
- DML Matériaux de construction
- Heafey Group
- Multivesco
- KSG Precast Walls
- Brisson Peinture
- BBL Construction
- Bernard Malo Inc.
- FA Construction
- Cousineau Real Estate
- Adam Real Estate
- CCI Real Estate Group
- Metro Plus Marché Kelly
- Junic Real Estate
- Matériaux Lavoie

Citations

“Campement Guertin was a catalyst made possible through the unwavering support of the private sector, which responded with exceptional solidarity. This first phase laid the groundwork for what is now becoming a model to follow: Village Transitiôn, currently taking shape in Gatineau and already attracting attention from municipalities across Québec as a concrete response to the homelessness crisis.”
– Jean-Pierre Poulin, Founder and President of Devcore Group and Chair of the Board of Transitiôn Québec

“This recognition shines a light on the path of dignity initiated by 56 individuals. At Campement Guertin, we learned their names, heard their stories, earned their trust, and supported them in taking steps forward. Today, many of them continue their journey at Village Transitiôn — a secure living environment already inspiring other communities.”
– Nancy Martineau, former Director of Humanitarian Projects at Devcore Group and now Executive Director of Transitiôn Québec