March 3
2026
A New Record for the Open Minds Evening, for the Second Year in a Row
The 11th edition of the Open Minds evening has once again made history.
Thanks to the extraordinary generosity and engagement of our community, a record-breaking $1,030,000 was raised in support of mental health research and care at the Douglas Institute.
An Evening Dedicated to Hope
Held in a warm and inspiring atmosphere, the event brought together leaders from the business community and dedicated philanthropists, all united by a shared commitment to advancing mental health research.
Hosted by our new spokesperson, Maripier Morin, the evening was a powerful demonstration of solidarity and collective action.
We would like to extend special recognition to our Honorary Co-Chairs — Kim Thomassin, Guy Côté and Alexandre L’Heureux — whose leadership and commitment were essential to the success of this year’s event. Thank you also to our board of directors, who are always committed to our success, especially Véronique Talbot and Caroline Côté.
Meaningful Moments, Real Impact
Among the highlights of the evening, the live auction, brilliantly led by our spokesperson, raised $39,500, while the raffle generated $19,735, thanks to the generosity of donors who contributed exceptional prizes.
Every contribution, large or small, directly supports research teams working to better understand, prevent and treat mental illness.
A Lasting Impact Since 2017
Since its inception in 2017, Open Minds has mobilized nearly $4.5 million for the Douglas Institute. These funds have supported major advancements in mental health research, creating tangible benefits for individuals living with mental illness and their families.
We are incredibly proud to add this year’s record-breaking total to that growing impact.
Thank You to Our Valued Partners
An event of this scale would not be possible without the remarkable commitment of our partners.
Presenting Partners: La Caisse, WSP Global, National Bank Financial
Gold Sponsors: Intact Insurance, Blackstone, BMO, Skadden, TPG, Fiera Capital
Silver Sponsors: Bell, Canderel, Power Sustainable, Fasken, CIBC, Solotech, CAE, BFL Canada, Oak Hill Financial Inc. – AQR, JPMorgan Chase, McCarthy Tétrault, Coller Capital, PICTON Investments
Bronze Sponsors: Sagard, Nymbus Capital, Synex Insurance, KPMG, Blakes, Stikeman Elliott, MKB – MacKinnon Bennett & Co., Idealist Capital, Altheria, Osler, Nesto, Alimentation Couche-Tard, BlackRock, Kruger, Gallagher, Jarislowsky Fraser, Levio, Teralys Capital, White Star Capital, EY, Groupe Desgagnés, Bank of America, GardaWorld, Mackenzie Investments, Behaviour Interactive, Agropur, Brookfield, Davies, BLG, PwC Canada, Axium Infrastructure, Air Canada, Norton Rose Fulbright, GreenShield
Their commitment to mental health makes a meaningful and lasting difference.
Relive the Open Minds Evening in Photos
Discover the photos captured by our photographers, immortalizing the highlights of the evening. Click on the link below to access the complete album.
The Ouverts d’esprit evening broke a new record last Thursday, February 26, at the Théâtre Paradoxe — marking the second consecutive year of record-breaking impact!
A major water leak in January 2026 caused significant losses at the Douglas Research Centre, directly impacting research teams. An emergency campaign is underway to support the resumption of essential mental health research.
Laughter, generosity and solidarity were at the heart of the Douglas Show, a memorable evening that made a meaningful contribution to mental health research.