Our foundation

A Brief History of the Foundation


In the early 1960s in Sutton, two men crossed paths and formed a lasting friendship: Dr Jean-Paul Bédard, a young doctor who settled in the town with his family and began his practice, and Harold Boulanger, an experienced entrepreneur well-established in the region. Their bond, rooted in deep mutual respect and a strong commitment to the community, grew stronger over the years. Following Harold's passing, Dr Bédard took the lead in founding what would later become the Boulanger-Bédard Foundation, renamed in 1980 to honor Dr Bédard’s significant contribution.


Since its creation over 45 years ago, the Foundation’s mission has remained steadfast: to support organizations dedicated to the development and well-being of young people in the region. Since its inception, the Boulanger-Bédard Foundation has supported more than 100 different organizations in their efforts to promote physical, cultural, artistic, and educational development, contributing over $1,300,000 to the community’s welfare.


The Foundation wishes to express its heartfelt thanks to the buyers of benefit concert tickets and participants in its various fundraising activities. It is through the unwavering support of these valued contributors—many of whom have been loyal for years—that the Boulanger-Bédard Foundation continues its work in empowering our youth and building a brighter future.

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Board of Directors

In the photo (L-R): Luc, Louis, Alex, Paul, Elyse, Francis


Paul Bruneau (President): Board member since 1992 and son-in-law of Dr. Jean-Paul Bédard, Paul is an entrepreneur, teacher, and MBA graduate. He took over his father-in-law’s foundation and has since worked to ensure its continuity.

Luc Boulanger (Vice President): Board member since 1998 and grandson of Harold Boulanger, Luc led mountain operations at Ski Sutton for over 40 years and remains a pillar of the community.

Louis Dandenault: Board member since 2009, Louis comes from a family closely connected to the Boulanger and Bédard families. A real estate broker, former mayor and councillor of Sutton, he remains committed to the mission.

Alex Hamel-Lessieur: Board member since 2022 and married to one of Dr. Jean-Paul Bédard’s granddaughters, Alex is an experienced financial planner with lifelong community involvement.

Elyse Boulanger (Secretary): Board member since 2023 and granddaughter of Harold Boulanger, Elyse is an experienced manager with an EMBA, recognized for her collaborative leadership and community engagement.

Francis Cournoyer: Board member since 2023, Francis is an entrepreneur and seasoned manager. An active member of the Sutton Ski Club, he contributes significantly to community life.

Mission :


Our mission is to promote the development of young people in the Brome-Missisquoi MRC by supporting their access to an enriching education in sports, academics and the arts.


Values :


Youth development, accessibility, community involvement, education in all its forms, support and inclusion.


  1. Youth development - Putting young people at the heart of our mission by supporting their overall development: intellectual, physical and artistic.
  2. Accessibility - Providing all young people with equitable access to resources, materials and educational opportunities, regardless of their background.
  3. Community involvement - Collaborating with local organizations to enrich school and cultural life in the region.
  4. Education in all its forms - Valuing learning through a variety of avenues: sport, the arts, academic studies.
  5. Support and inclusion - Encouraging success by offering concrete, inclusive support adapted to the diverse needs of young people.


Detailed Mission Statement According to Our Supplementary Letters Patent.


To promote the education of youth in the Brome-Missisquoi Regional County Municipality by:

  1. Providing sports equipment, access to sports facilities, and offering training and courses to support school sports programs through eligible disbursements to qualified donees;
  2. Supplying books, materials, and educational tools to schools and offering scholarships to students for use in post-secondary education;
  3. Providing instruments and materials, and offering courses, seminars, and workshops on topics related to performance and visual arts through eligible disbursements to qualified donees.


To receive and maintain a fund or funds and to allocate all or part of the capital and the income from such capital, from time to time, to qualified donees as defined in subsection 149.1(1) of the Income Tax Act (Canada).


To receive donations, bequests, and other similar contributions in cash, securities, or property; to manage such donations, bequests, and contributions; and to organize fundraising campaigns for charitable purposes.