Soirée Salus, proudly presented by TD,  is Ottawa Salus’ signature fundraising event, bringing our community together for an inspiring evening celebrating hope, housing, and the transformative power of connection.   

This year we celebrate the 10th anniversary of Soirée Salus, marking a decade of community, impact, and support. Hosted at the beautiful John G. Diefenbaker Building, this special event welcomes community leaders, dedicated supporters, and advocates who share the belief that a safe stable home is the foundation for wellbeing.  

Guests will enjoy an evening of specially curated canapés, live music, networking and exciting live and silent auctions. Together, we will celebrate stories of resilience, honour community champions, and raise essential funds to advance stable housing and integrated mental health services for those who need them most.  

Soirée Salus 10th Anniversary

John G. Diefenbaker Building ~ Victoria Hall  
111 Sussex Dr. Ottawa, Ontario  
Wednesday, October 21 | 6:00PM  

Every ticket purchased, donation made or bid placed helps Ottawa Salus build a more resilient, healthier city – one person, one home, and one connection at a time. Can’t attend? You can still make an impact by making a donation in support of Salus’ housing and mental health services.

This year’s Soirée Salus will once again recognize the trailblazers who have made a meaningful impact in our community.

The Salus Changemaker Award  

The Salus Changemaker Award is presented annually to an exceptional organization, individual, or community group (public or private) that has made a significant and meaningful impact towards advancing the cause of supportive housing in Ottawa.  

 By being purpose-driven, they demonstrate an unwavering commitment to collaboration   and embrace opportunities with a pioneering mindset. As leaders in their field, they   continue to inspire and strengthen a culture of care across our community for individuals  living with mental illness or substance use health disorders.  

2026 Award Winner: Dr. Vera Etches  

Dr. Vera Etches

Dr. Vera Etches is a physician, public health leader, and champion for community well-being whose work has shaped a more collaborative and equitable health system in Ottawa and beyond.  

Currently President and CEO of CHEO, Dr. Etches previously served as Ottawa’s Medical Officer of Health from 2018 to 2025. During her tenure, she led Ottawa Public Health through the COVID-19 pandemic while championing a population health approach that recognized the role of housing, community services, and social supports in shaping health outcomes.  

Dr. Etches has consistently advocated for cross-sector collaboration to improve access to care for people facing systemic barriers. Under her leadership, Ottawa Public Health expanded partnerships with healthcare providers, community organizations, and social services through initiatives such as neighbourhood health and wellness hubs, helping bring health services closer to communities and strengthening support for vulnerable residents.  

In recognition of her leadership and service, Dr. Etches received the Key to the City of Ottawa in 2022. 

The  Salus Community Champion Award

The Salus Community Champion Award is presented annually to an organization, family or individual who has gone above and beyond in their efforts towards making Ottawa a more inclusive and compassionate city.  

Through their generosity, advocacy, and dedication, they have helped create and  champion lasting change, providing life-changing opportunities for people with mental   illness or substance use health disorders to live with dignity and independence, and  have a supportive place to call home.  They exemplify the power of collective action to make a difference and have a positive  impact in our community  

2026 Award Winner: Dr. Tim Aubry  

Dr. Tim Aubry

Dr. Tim Aubry is an Emeritus Professor in the School of Psychology and Senior Researcher at the Centre for Research on Educational and Community Services at the University of Ottawa. His research has focused on community mental health services, homelessness, and Housing First.  

Throughout his career, Dr. Aubry has worked closely with community organizations and government partners to help inform programs and policies that support people experiencing homelessness and mental health challenges. He was a member of the National Research Team and Co-Lead of the Moncton site for the Mental Health Commission of Canada’s At Home/Chez Soi Housing First Demonstration Project, conducted in five cities. He currently serves as Co-Chair of the University of Ottawa Pop-Up Lab on Housing and Homelessness.  

From 2011 to 2020, he held the Faculty of Social Sciences Chair on Community Mental Health and Homelessness at the University of Ottawa. In 2013, he received the Contribution to Evaluation in Canada Award from the Canadian Evaluation Society.  

Dr. Aubry is a Fellow of the Canadian Psychological Association and the Society for Community Research and Action, Division 27 of the American Psychological Association.

Soirée Salus would not be possible without the extraordinary support of our incredible sponsors. Your partnership helps ensure that more individuals across Ottawa have a stable, supportive place to call home and the mental health services to thrive. Together, we’re building homes, hope, and belonging — one connection at a time. For sponsorship inquiries, please contact Sarah Cybulski at scybulski@salusottawa.org. 

A special thank you to our incredibly dedicated Soirée Salus Committee for their creativity and hard work in bringing this special evening to life in support of stable housing in our community. Pictured left to right: Fiona Murray, Committee Chair; Candace Sutcliffe, Committee Co-Chair; Camille Therriault-Power; Janet Yale; and Reba Wilson.