A builder…

A native of New Brunswick, Eddy Savoie has lived in Montreal since his adolescent years. His parents, caring people, hard workers and ones with respect for others, were a great source of inspiration to him. His wife, Carmelle Ouellette, and he always worked extremely hard at what they undertook, even in making sure that there would be someone to succeed them! In fact, they had 5 children: 4 girls and a boy who are all part of the organization at different levels. As for Mr. Eddy Savoie, he is the owner and president and chief executive officer of Groupe Savoie, a family-owned business operating in the field of retirement residence construction, as well as the management, ownership and operation of these residences.

The Savoie family always lived in residences that were large enough to accommodate paternal parents: "I am a family man!" declares Mr. Savoie. Now, when the time came to give them a hand in finding a suitable residence, accustomed as they were to a certain quality of life, the Savoies couldn’t find one. From the concept sought, that is, making all the necessary services available within a beautiful residence was born this primary need, based on the criteria of respectful children, dignity, the needs and pleasure of persons who would choose to live in residences created with them in mind. There they will be able to continue living beautiful years of growth and happiness in security. After several years spent in, among other things, the construction field, and after travelling across Europe hoping to discover adapted concepts, nothing was as complete as the concept sought. It was with a vision and the firm intention of developing a concept truly adapted to the habits of Quebeckers that they returned from Europe. On November 13th, after many trips, research and studies, the Résidences Soleil concept took form at the Manoir Boucherville. Mr. Savoie firmly believes in the unique hallmark of a family enterprise. "By remaining proprietors of our residences, we are constantly concerned about the requirements of our residents, and like all good enterprises, our success comes from investing time and love in our accomplishments created first and foremost for our residents whom we consider as being part of our family." More than 500 employees in various areas are at the service of Groupe Savoie. One of the first hiring criteria in the Résidences Soleil being "To love people in their golden age". The residents proudly wear a pin with an effigy of the Résidences Soleil identifying them as part of a single, large family, and based on that fact, they gain a sense of belonging. The Savoie family is proud of its employees who, through their quality work contribute to the quality of life of the residents, and the success of the organization.

A new life is starting…

The quality of life and a feeling of security are essential aspects of all the Résidences Soleil: nobody has access to the residences without first having been authorized by the resident through the reception area, regardless of the hour of the day or night. Personnel on duty 24 hours per day, surveillance cameras and a call system directly linked to the apartments enables a rapid reaction in cases of emergency. The Résidences Soleil are in a class by themselves based on the quality of their services and conveniences, including among other things: saunas, pools, whirlpool baths, elevators, hair dressing salons, exercise rooms, libraries, chapels, indoor parking, convenience stores and medical clinics. The name "Les Résidences Soleil" (Sunshine Residences) pleases people and projects the positive concept of an active and flourishing life. The Résidences Soleil, presently in operation to some extent across Quebec are all designed for the welfare and care of more than 3,000 Golden Agers.

In June 2000, after a long-term effort, and in collaboration with the 'Association des Résidences pour Retraités du Quebec (the Quebec Association of Residences for Retired Persons), as well as other residence proprietors, the Groupe Savoie secured the implementation of a 23% provincial tax credit for home support services for 70-year old persons. A recognition of the elderly, rich or poor, living in residences or not. The subsidy applies to the preparation of meals, surveillance, management, existing domestic chores, the maintenance of clothing, help with bathing, etc. Again at the end of 2001 in Winnipeg, with the ARRQ, the Groupe Savoie filed a memorandum and addressed the Consultative Committee of the Ministry of Finance to explain and justify the request for a 25% direct subsidy for the elderly from the federal government. And again at the end of 2002, on the initiation of the Deputy Prime Minister of Canada, Mr. Manley, in relation to the 2003 budget, the Groupe Savoie had the opportunity to share the concerns and needs of golden agers by means of a written report which was well received by Mr. Manley. Still with the ARRQ and other associations, the Groupe Savoie continues to make an effort to always find new methods to improve the quality of life and welfare of Golden Agers in Quebec and everywhere in Canada.

In each of the Résidences Soleil across Quebec, an annual general meeting is held at which a residents’ committee is elected. Each committee is comprised of 9 to 13 persons elected by the residents, where each has his or her responsibilities related to the various activities (crafts, pastoral, bingo, cards, painting, exercises in the pool, outings and welcome committee), ensuring a relational service between management and the residents. It’s really an active and hectic life that is maintained within the Résidences Soleil!

The roles of the Savoie family in the enterprise: Mr. Eddy Savoie, proprietor and chief executive officer; Ms. Carmelle Savoie, Vice-President; Nataly, Vice-President, Marketing; Janet, Treasurer; Nadine and Nancy members of the board of directors, Eddy Junior, Vice-President, Construction, at 26 years of age, already possesses solid expertise in construction. Construction, Marketing, Administration, Management and Activities are all complex fields, but the structures established by Groupe Savoie are such that the Résidences Soleil will continue to develop in grace, excitement and beauty! The Savoie family knew how to surround itself with good collaborators, including Mr. Gaudias Harvey, Vice-President, Finance. In addition, important institutions such as the CMHC, witness to the beautiful successes and the capacity to construct and manage projects with the scope of those of the Groupe Savoie, offer the enterprise their full cooperation.

Mr. Savoie knows practically every resident and above all, everybody knows that “he” is an easily accessible base of the organization. The quality of family life of the Groupe Savoie is supported by the atmosphere which exists within the Résidences Soleil. People feel right at home, which is an objective of the enterprise in itself. Members of the Groupe Savoie are very present and familiar with the files, because of a pre-occupation with the welfare and satisfaction of their clientele. Always informed of the reasons for a departure, they will go so far as to accept cancellation of the lease of a dissatisfied person after his or her first month because for them, any person who lives in one or another of the Résidences Soleil is entitled to respect, understanding and happiness. They’re not only in business; they ensure the maintenance of a humanitarian work and an art of living! This is an aspect of great satisfaction for the Groupe Savoie.

Each month, in each of the Résidences Soleil across Quebec, birthdays and wedding anniversaries, both for the residents as well as the employees, are recognized. Numerous activities are organized throughout the year to celebrate different subjects of daily life. If you’ve live in the Résidences Soleil for at least 10 years and you have a good notion to live to the age of 90, you will not be subjected to any further increases in rent. In 1999, as part of the international year of the elderly, the Groupe Savoie, by way of recognition of our builders, had the idea of establishing "Privilège Soleil": If you’ve been living in the Résidences Soleil for 3 years, when you reach 100 years of age, food and lodgings will be offered to you free of charge. Do you have the heart to reach that milestone? In 2002 at 103 years of age, Madam Laurence, a resident of the Résidence Soleil of Manoir Boucherville, has been benefiting from this privilege for 3 years. She even waltzed with Mr. Savoie at the anniversary evening! This woman regularly sent him little words of kindness and thanks! "Our work is not a burden, but rather a real pleasure, because we’re doing what we love, while having the privilege of working with one another,” says Mr. Savoie.

The fact that you’ve come to share a meal in the company of your parents at any time doesn’t bother anyone. On the contrary, we encourage you to do so! As to the quantity of food in the Résidences Soleil, more than 6,000 meals are served daily. We have a range of the most varied menus that follow the seasons. Our menus change every 4 months. At each meal, 2, and at times 3 choices of menu are offered to you, with all the trimmings: salad bar and dessert bar. These are features that are greatly appreciated by our residents and their visitors. All our meals are concocted with talent, variety and creativity as a function of our clients’ needs by qualified chefs. Each menu is conscientiously analysed and certified by dieticians. It is with unconcealed pride that Mr. Savoie declares: "For me, it’s a pleasure and a matter of pride to offer a meal to my guests". Quebec has been enriched by the accomplishments of Groupe Savoie which have made a good number of us aware of a reality that we can no longer ignore; that of our elderly. Doesn’t it merit a distinctive milieu where one can live better; a lively milieu and a source of freedom such as the Résidences Soleil? I can assure you that visiting the Résidences Soleil will mean choosing them!

Social and family involvements…

More than once, the Groupe Savoie was the object of awards and nominations: the Prix d'excellence and the Prix entreprise de services du Mérite économique, the Prix Bâtisseures gérontisme, Winner of 2 Roses-d'Or-Fadoq Estrie, Builder of the Months of November/December 2001 by the Builder/Architect Magazine, Prize for Service Enterprises of the Granby-Bromont Chamber of Commerce. As for Mr. Savoie, he was selected as Honorary President of the Mayor of Sherbrooke’s Golf Tournament, Patron of Honour for the Quebec Lung Association, Personality of the Week "Mérite Estrien" by the Journal La Tribune newspaper. The Royal Canadian Legion, as well as the Organizing Committee for the 2001 Canada Day Celebration honoured Mr. Eddy Savoie with the title of 2001 Canadian Personality of the Year in Boucherville, and he was winner of the "Horace-Viau" Prize (Member of the Horace-Viau club) by the Club Richelieu St-Basile and International. The Savoie family is also greatly involved in humanitarian organizations. Among other achievements, they were nominated Family of the Year on several occasions. For more than ten years, Madam Carmelle Savoie was responsible for the Red Cross "Blood Clinic" in collaboration with the Optimist Club. Nataly and Janet jointly accepted the honorary presidency for the Club Richelieu fundraiser which comes to the aid of the young, for the year 2002. It is therefore a very busy family, but above all, one that is very involved as well.

Present and future projects…

With the daily support of his wife and children, Mr. Savoie banks on the future and will not stray from his path. The proprietor of eight Résidences Soleil in operation: Manoir Boucherville, Manoir Sorel, Manoir Sherbrooke, Manoir Mont St-Hilaire, Manoir St-Laurent, Manoir Granby, Manoir du Musée and the recently completed Manoir Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Mr. Savoie is already busying himself with other residences. In fact, 2 new residences are currently in the process of being completed. “More than once”, he says, “I’ve been asked: when do you plan on slowing down? Now, with 4 daughters and a 26-year old son, as well as with the Manoir Dollard-des-Ormeaux project just being completed, we’re not ready to slow down. During an interview several years ago, while we were building our second Résidence Soleil, the Manoir Sorel, a local journalist asked me what my dreams were? To have a Résidence Soleil in each of Quebec’s major cities! The Savoie family is particularly proud of its accomplishments and passionate about the construction field. At the present time, we are working toward the realisation of this dream while improving our concept for Golden Agers with each new construction." With a desire to perpetuate his work for his five children and ten actual and future grandchildren who could take over eventually and eventually fulfill their own dreams, Mr. Savoie is already thinking about other Résidences Soleil. What more could one wish for when taking over from someone, if not to follow the example of a builder, a visionary?

"The success of the Groupe Savoie is the result of teamwork directed by a person and a family that possesses out-of-the- ordinary values. Each of us, at different levels, finds his or her place and can see the results of his or her efforts in a tangible way by having a vision of the Group’s expansion and growth. It’s an encouraging sign for everyone’s personal growth and an interesting future."

In only a few years, Mr. Eddy Savoie, with the help of his family, has succeeded in making his enterprise the largest private enterprise family business in Quebec and in Canada. The Groupe Savoie is in a constant state of expansion in the field of development, operation and ownership of residences for the elderly, early retirees and Golden Agers. Let’s hope that the concept of Les Résidences Soleil, where the builder’s pride, the heart of a visionary and the courage of a creator can be found, will live on in perpetuity with future generations of Savoies. "We must never cease to follow developments in order to remain as close to reality as possible, but the essential goal is to be successful in our family life as well as our emotional life. And if, in addition, we can succeed in business ‘as a family’, then we are people who are blessed by life. We then have the duty to share with society by becoming involved in organizations and humanitarian activities, and that is one of our mottos”, concludes Mr. Eddy Savoie.

Congratulations to the Groupe Savoie and long live the Résidences Soleil!