QSHG Awards Three Seniors’ Residences and Eddy Savoie, a Pioneer in the Industry

Eddy Savoie, Honoured for his Life’s Work

QUEBEC CITY, Nov. 8, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) –  The Quebec Seniors’ Housing Group (QSHG) held its seventh annual gala awards on November 7, 2020 as part of its Annual Conference. Three seniors’ residences and an entrepreneur who has contributed to the growth of the industry were awarded in a room filled with more than 400 guests at the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac.
The QSHG Distinction Awards recognize the exceptional contributions of seniors’ residences toward improving the quality of life of their residents.

Special Mention from the Annual Conference

A true pioneer in the seniors’ residence industry in Quebec, Eddy Savoie received the Special Mention Award from the Annual Conference to highlight his life’s work. He founded a family business that became well established with the opening of its first residence, the Boucherville Manor, in the 1980s. Today, Groupe Savoie manages 14 residences throughout Quebec and employs more than 2,000 people. According to the Founder, to have a career at Les Résidence Soleil, “caring about the well-being of seniors” is a requirement.
“The Distinction Awards pay tribute to what is most beautiful about private seniors’ residences,” explained Yves Desjardins, President and CEO of QSHG. “They recognize the daily contributions of caring people who work to ensure the best quality of life for their residents,” he added.
“Owner, Chairman of the Board and Founder of the family business—Les Résidences Soleil—Mr. Savoie is a true pioneer in terms of the retirement homes we know today and across the country.”
Eddy Savoie paved the way to his own success. At the age of 15, he arrived in Montreal with less than $5 in his pocket. At 21, he started his own home repair company. It was around this time that he met Carmelle Ouellette, the woman he would later marry. A few years later, Eddy Savoie launched his general construction business which, over time, carried out major real estate projects.
When it came time to find a suitable place for his parents to live, he searched to find a comfortable and safe residence that offered all the services, activities and care his parents needed. Once he realized that none existed, he was inspired to develop a new concept in senior housing in the 1980s. From that idea, came the very first Les Résidences Soleil, which opened its doors in November 1988.
Aware of the often precarious financial situation that many seniors face, Eddy Savoie campaigned alongside the Quebec Seniors’ Housing Group in the late 1990s for the establishment of a provincial tax credit for home care to help keep seniors over 70 in their homes for as long as possible, regardless of their income. After much effort, the tax credit was implemented in 2000. As a generous philanthropist and astute businessman, he participates annually in several events as Honorary Chairman and contributes to different causes close to his heart.
Today Groupe Savoie—made up of three generations of Savoie family members—owns, manages and operates 14 residences throughout Quebec and employs more than 2,000 workers. The company’s succession has been well prepared and assured for several years. According to the Founder, to have a career at Les Résidences Soleil, “caring about the well-being of seniors” is a requirement. Groupe Savoie is now the largest privately owned family business in its sector and the only fully integrated seniors residence company solely responsible for its own financing, development, construction, management and operations in Canada.

QSHG Annual Conference

Les Résidences Soleil received three other awards at this year’s annual conference:
Here are our other QSHG Distinction Awards:

Articles in the media :

About the QSHG

The Quebec Seniors’ Housing Group (QSHG) is a non-profit organization with 760 members, made up of senior residence managers and owners who manage more than 92,000 rental units throughout Quebec. QSHG members offer and promote a quality living environment to autonomous seniors, as well as care and assistance services to those with loss of autonomy.