Devcore wins prestigious Mercure Award for homelessness-initiative in Gatineau

Tashi Farmilo

The Groupe Devcore was awarded the “Engagement dans la collectivité” prize at the 45th edition of Les Mercuriades, one of Quebec’s most distinguished business competitions, during a ceremony held at the Palais des congrès in Montreal on May 5. The award recognizes the real estate firm’s humanitarian initiative, the Campement Guertin, a heated emergency shelter deployed during the winter of 2023–2024 for people experiencing homelessness.

The temporary shelter, set up in just 21 days through a wide-ranging private-public partnership, housed 56 individuals during one of the province’s harshest seasons. It reported no fatal overdoses, fires, or serious frostbite injuries. The initiative directly helped over 20 residents secure health insurance through RAMQ and enabled 10 others to regularize their tax situations.

The Campement Guertin served as a precursor to the Village Transitiôn, a more permanent residential complex launched in December 2024. Still under expansion, the Village currently hosts around 40 people, with plans to scale up to 100. The facility offers modular micro-units, structured psychosocial support, and community spaces, aiming to provide not just shelter but a pathway toward reintegration.

“This was a catalytic moment,” said Jean-Pierre Poulin, Devcore’s president and founder. “Thanks to unwavering support from the private sector, we’ve created something that’s becoming a model for municipalities across Quebec.”

The Campement Guertin was backed by a broad coalition including the City of Gatineau, the Government of Quebec, local non-profits such as Itinérance Zéro Gatineau, and numerous private firms. The project’s success has positioned it as a replicable model for addressing homelessness elsewhere in Canada.

“This award highlights a journey of dignity,” said Nancy Martineau, former head of humanitarian projects at Devcore and now executive director of Transitiôn Québec. “We didn’t just provide beds—we built trust and supported people in reclaiming their lives. Today, many continue that journey at the Village Transitiôn.”