Soirée Salus

Soirée Salus 2026: Lighting the Way Together

Celebrating 10 years of community, connection and impact

On October 21, 2026, more than 250 guests gathered at the John G. Diefenbaker Building for a special milestone: the 10th anniversary of Soirée Salus.

Proudly presented by TD, this year’s event brought together community leaders, partners, donors and friends of Ottawa Salus for an unforgettable evening in support of supportive housing and integrated mental health services.

Under the theme Light the Way, we celebrated a decade of generosity and connection, honoured two remarkable community leaders, and reflected on the difference a stable home can make in someone’s life.

A Home Changes Everything

One of the evening’s most powerful moments came from Marcel Jubinville, a Salus resident who shared his journey from 30 years without stable housing to finally having a place to call his own.

Marcel spoke about the relief of closing the door to his own apartment, knowing he no longer had to worry about where he would sleep. With a stable home came the opportunity to return to work, build relationships with neighbours and rediscover a sense of belonging.

His story was a moving reminder of what supportive housing makes possible: not simply a place to live, but the stability, dignity and independence to move forward.

As Marcel told guests:

“At Salus we are happy and we are housed.”

His words brought the room to its feet and captured the purpose behind a decade of Soirée Salus.

Celebrating Our 2026 Award Recipients

This year’s Soirée Salus recognized two extraordinary leaders whose work has helped shape a healthier, more inclusive Ottawa.

Dr. Vera Etches | The Salus Changemaker Award 

Dr. Vera Etches, President and CEO of CHEO and former Medical Officer of Health for Ottawa, was honoured for her leadership in advancing community well-being and championing collaboration across health, housing and social services.

Throughout her career, Dr. Etches has demonstrated a deep understanding of the connections between housing and health, and the importance of working together to create lasting change.

Dr. Tim Aubry | The  Salus Community Champion Award

Dr. Tim Aubry, Professor Emeritus at the University of Ottawa, was recognized for his decades of research, advocacy and partnership in advancing supportive housing and community mental health services.

A longstanding partner of Ottawa Salus, Dr. Aubry has helped build the evidence and understanding needed to strengthen Housing First approaches and improve outcomes for people experiencing homelessness.

Thank you to our