When work transforms lives: the impact of Groupe TAQ through the eyes of those who find their place there

Here’s a look back at an extraordinary panel held on April 2, 2025, as part of the launch of the Groupe TAQ’s major community bond campaign. We welcomed two employee ambassadors of the campaign, Manon Boisvert and Raphaël Hivon-Michaud, as well as Lise Boiteau, mother of Charles Godbout, also a TAQ employee. The panel was moderated by veteran radio host Pascale CV.

During this emotional and humane panel, we were privileged to hear the voices of those for whom the TAQ Group represents much more than a job: it’s a true source of pride, autonomy and fulfillment.

Host Pascale CV, a long-time TAQ ally, opened the discussion with a touching personal testimony: that of her aunt with Down’s syndrome, for whom work has been synonymous with inclusion, dignity and joy. According to her, you have to come and meet TAQ’s workers to fully understand the strength and beauty of their commitment.

Raphaël Hivon-Michaud, who likes to call himself the “Swiss Army knife” of Groupe TAQ, has been with the company for nearly six years. He recounted his journey from uncertainty to a stimulating professional routine. Thanks to the trust placed in him, he has developed unsuspected skills and built up a solid circle of friends. “I love getting up around 5 a.m. every morning, because I know I’m going to do a job that makes me proud,” he says with conviction.

Then, Manon Boisvert, with some 31 years of seniority, moved the audience by talking about her passion for her work. She has found TAQ to be a place where she feels valued, encouraged and supported. For her, TAQ has been a school of life, a source of self-confidence and a pillar of stability. “I don’t know where I’d be today without them,” she confessed, her voice full of emotion.

Charles Godbout’s mother, Lise Boiteau, shared her son’s heartfelt story of how he has evolved since joining the Groupe TAQ. Long in search of an environment adapted to his challenges, Charles has finally found a place where he is understood, supported and valued. The key, in her view, is integration agents like Brigitte Bonneau, who are trained to adapt the work to each individual’s capabilities, and who team up with the workers’ family and friends. For Ms. Boiteau, TAQ is where Charles should have been a long time ago – an organization where people’s strengths are recognized above and beyond their challenges.

Each testimonial highlighted a powerful truth: TAQ is not just a workplace. It’s a vehicle for change, an engine for inclusion, a springboard to a better life for extraordinary people who deserve to be believed in.

Would you like to support Groupe TAQ’s mission too? The Community Bonds campaign runs until October 31, 2025, but don’t delay: sales of certain series end on June 30.

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