2006 Winners

Financial and Social Performance Prizes¹ are awarded in collaboration with Bell.

Winners and finalists for each region

• Eastern Quebec
• Central Quebec
• Western Quebec

Winner:

Ateliers Léopold-Desrosiers Inc., Matane
Ateliers Léopold-Desrosiers inc. was established 24 years ago to provide employment for persons living with disabilities. Concerned about the well-being of its personnel, the company provides job accommodation with respect to the workplace and equipment available. In addition to its remarkable social commitment, Ateliers Léopold-Desrosiers uses mostly recycled materials, with recycling one of its primary fields of expertise.

Finalist:

• Coopérative de l'Université Laval, Quebec City

Winner:

DÉFI-SM, Sherbrooke – Michel Lequin, President
Founded in May 1997, DÉFI-SM operates in the wood manufacturing, assembly and packaging industry. In April 2000, the company received accreditation as an Adapted Work Centre and in 2005 became one of the few Adapted Companies in Quebec. DÉFI-SM has 76 full-time employees, the majority of whom have mental health problems. In its first eight years of operation, the company had sales of almost $13 million.

Finalist:

• Les constructions Richard Deslandes Inc., Saint-Liboire

Winner:

GFI Solutions Inc., Montreal
GFI Solutions is a privately held consulting company that goes back to 1988. The group develops, implements and manages electronic business systems and applications for both large and small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The company has steadily grown despite the ups and downs of the information technology industry, allowing it to be involved in the community through a large number of activities, sponsorships and donations to a variety of organizations.

Finalist:

• Les Vergers Lafrance Inc., Saint-Joseph-du-Lac

Each winning company benefits from media visibility worth over $40,000, enabling it to enhance its reputation and consolidate its standing in the business world and in the eyes of its clientele. Winners also receive numerous free Desjardins products and services.

1. As of 2007, the Desjardins Financial and Social Performance Prizes are now called the Desjardins Sustainable Development Prizes.