Around Town: Embassy of France opens its doors to mental health community

“Welcome to my humble abode,” joked French Ambassador Nicolas Chapuis.

Anybody who’s ever been to or caught a glimpse of the Embassy of France on Sussex Drive knows that this striking Art Deco building, built in the 1930s, is anything but humble.

On Tuesday, the ambassador and his wife, Sylvie Camia, hosted 270-plus supporters of Ottawa Salus, a charitable organization that provides housing and support services for nearly 300 adults living with serious and persistent mental illness.
The sold-out soirée was both fabulous and successful, raising $70,000.

Liberal cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc was on hand to present the Celebrate Salus 2016 award to one of Salus’ founders, Dr. Alistair Catterson, in recognition of his contributions and commitment of almost 40 years. “I’ve always felt that Salus has given me back as much as I gave to it,” the psychiatrist said upon accepting his honour.

From left, Dr. Alistair Catterson was awarded the Celebrate Salus 2016 certificate by federal Liberal cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc during a fundraising reception for Ottawa Salus held at the Embassy of France on Tuesday, September 20, 2016.

Here’s the neat thing, though: In 1983, Salus got approval for $340,000 from LeBlanc’s late father, Romeo LeBlanc, when he was public works minister in Trudeau Sr.’s cabinet, and responsible for the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. The minister’s letter was sent to none other than Catterson by telex (that’s in the pre-fax machine and email era, for all you young’uns) and currently hangs on the wall at Ottawa Salus.

“I am happy, some 30 years later, to be with all of you here tonight and to think of the remarkable contribution that this modest investment made,” said LeBlanc, speaking in the Grand Salon with the massive Triumph of Constantine tapestry as his backdrop. “And, how it has encouraged literally thousands of people to give of their time, of their energy, of their love, of their money, to support and build this truly remarkable organization.”

Salus began with a single group home. Today, it has 13 buildings, ranging from shared accommodations and single homes to small apartment buildings, and a staff of 80-plus. It also has a modern and environmentally innovative new 42-unit building that’s nearly complete.

“There’s not one family in Canada that hasn’t been touched by mental illness,” LeBlanc also said in his remarks. “We’ve seen a loved one, a colleague, somebody we care about, face these difficult challenges.”

Attendees included Supreme Court Justice Michael Moldaver, Royal Ottawa Health Care Group CEO George Weber and Coun. David Chernushenko, who’s a previous recipient of a Celebrate Salus award. Laura Chapman co-chaired the event organizing committee with Ellen Wright, whose husband, Dwayne Wright, was board president at Salus for seven years. Its new prez is Paul Taylor from law firm BLG.

From left, Laura Chapman and Ellen Wright co-chaired the organizing committee for Soirée Salus held at the Embassy of France on Tuesday, September 20, 2016, in support of Ottawa Salus, a charitable organization that provides housing and support services for people living with severe and persistent mental illness.

George Weber, president and CEO of the Royal Ottawa Health Care Group, with Ottawa Salus board member Camille Power at Soirée Salus, a fundraising evening held at the Embassy of France on Tuesday, September 20, 2016, in support of Ottawa Salus, a charitable organization that provides housing and support services for people living with severe and persistent mental illness.

Keeping it fun was the incomparable Joseph Cull, who’s been known to dress in drag to raise funds for charity. With a towering white beehive wig and a dress that was pouffy enough to hide a French king, Cull auctioned off a French embassy dinner for 10. It fetched $6,100 from highest bidders Lisa Hunt and her husband Malcolm McCulloch. The embassy has a special place in the couple’s heart; it’s where they first met, at a reception, 13 years ago.

Live auctioneer Joseph Cull, dressed as Marie Antoinette, at the Embassy of France on Tuesday, September 20, 2016, sold a French embassy dinner for 10 to Malcolm McCulloch and Lisa Hunt, for $6,100, as part of a fundraising event for Ottawa Salus.

carolyn001@sympatico.ca