
The Daffodil Ball reaches a milestone, raising $3,413,908 to fund cancer research
A record-breaking amount for this iconic Quebec event
MONTREAL, April 25, 2025 /CNW/ - The Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) closed the 32 nd edition of its prestigious Montreal Daffodil Ball by raising a historic amount of $3,413,908. Presented under the theme Prospective, the Ball assembled over 700 guests including business, cultural and philanthropic leaders. Funds raised during this benefit evening will fuel the most promising world-class research projects in Quebec and bring hope to people living with cancer.
"I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to all our donors and partners for their unwavering support of this important event. Together, we raised funds to ensure that the brightest ideas in cancer research in Quebec are given every chance to succeed – and reach the people who need them most. Your generosity will help us accelerate progress in cancer research, improve treatments, and save lives," stated Andrea Seale, Chief Executive Officer at the Canadian Cancer Society.
Daffodil Moment: A stirring performance by Marie-Annick Lépine
The evening was marked by a moving and meaningful moment when Marie-Annick Lépine, celebrated artist and member of Les Cowboys Fringants, took the stage to sing Ta dernière adresse. In a heartfelt performance, she delivered a poignant tribute to her late partner, Karl Tremblay. Her inspiring testimonial reminded attendees why they were all gathered at the Ball.
Influential voices to move the cause forward
The Daffodil Ball was supported by four dedicated co-chairs, Isabelle Marcoux (Transcontinental Inc.), Nicolas Marcoux (PwC Canada), Michael Sabia (Hydro-Québec), and Kim Thomassin (Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec), whose leadership and commitment helped make this event a resounding triumph. The event was further made possible through the incredible dedication of over 200 volunteers and suppliers, and the exceptional contributions of masters of ceremony Marie-Ève Janvier and Claudia Marques.
"Through strategic partnerships with world-renowned institutions across the province, we are amplifying our impact. Together, we are shaping the future of cancer research by investing in the country's most promising projects," said Nadia Wendowsky, Vice President, Leadership and Corporate Giving at the Canadian Cancer Society.
Mobilizing for research as never before
Given that 2 in 5 Canadians will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, research breakthroughs are essential to improve and save the lives of people living with this disease. The Daffodil Ball, Quebec's largest cancer-related fundraiser, achieved an extraordinary milestone this year through unparalleled collective action, making it the most impactful edition in its history. Since 2004, this event has raised nearly $48 million to fund support programs and research projects aimed at preventing cancer and improving screening, diagnosis, and treatment. These efforts allow people living with this disease to live fuller, longer lives.
Celebrate innovation and hope. Visit daffodilball.ca to donate. The next edition of the Canadian Cancer Society's Montreal Daffodil Ball will be held on April 30, 2026.
Official photos of the event are available in the press kit here.
About the Canadian Cancer Society
The Canadian Cancer Society works tirelessly to save and improve lives. We raise funds to fuel the brightest minds in cancer research. We provide a compassionate support system for all those affected by cancer, across Canada and for all types of cancer. Together with patients, supporters, donors and volunteers, we work to create a healthier future for everyone. Because to take on cancer, it takes all of us. It takes a society. Help us make a difference. Call 1-888-939-3333 or visit cancer.ca today.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Cision Canada
6 hours ago
- Cision Canada
Hisense Celebrates Kick-off of FIFA Club World Cup™ as Official Partner, Marking New Milestone in Global Sports Journey
QINGDAO, China, June 14, 2025 /CNW/ -- Hisense, a leading brand in global consumer electronics and home appliances, celebrates the opening of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ as an Official Partner, reinforcing its long-standing commitment to global sports. For Hisense, every match is not just a competition, but an opportunity to inspire, connect, and lead through technology. As an Official Sponsor of the FIFA World Cup™ in 2018 and 2022, and Official Partner of UEFA EURO 2016™, 2020™, and 2024™, Hisense continues to strengthen its association with the world's most prestigious tournaments. The brand has further expanded its influence through high-profile partnerships in other fields, including the PSG, NBA (North America), NRL (within Australia), Real Madrid (MEA & Spain), NASCAR (USA), Red Bull Racing in Formula 1, and leading organizations in esports and football. For fans watching from home, Hisense is redefining the matchday experience. According to Omdia, Hisense has led the global market for 100-inch and above TVs with a 56.7% volume share in 2023, 2024, and Q1 2025, delivering ultra-large screens that recreate the stadium atmosphere in living rooms worldwide. Every pass, goal, and celebration come to life with immersive clarity, making fans feel part of the action. Looking ahead, Hisense remains committed to its brand mission of enriching people's lives through innovative technology. By deepening its presence across diverse sports and entertainment platforms, Hisense strives to create unforgettable moments that connect fans worldwide. Through continuous innovation in display and audio technologies, the brand aims to inspire passion, foster unity, and empower every viewer to truly "Own the Moment." Through its powerful synergy of sports partnerships and display innovation, Hisense continues to help fans everywhere "Own the Moment" and enjoy the excitement of competition—wherever they are. About Hisense Hisense, founded in 1969, is a globally recognized leader in home appliances and consumer electronics with operations in over 160 countries, specializing in delivering high-quality multimedia products, home appliances, and intelligent IT solutions. According to Omdia, Hisense ranks No. 2 worldwide in total TV volume shipments (2022-2024) and No. 1 globally in the 100-inch and over TV segment (2023- Q12025). As the first official partner of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™, Hisense is committed to global sports partnerships as a way to connect with audiences worldwide.


Toronto Star
8 hours ago
- Toronto Star
Ottawa's GST/HST relief for first-time new home buyers is a broken promise — and too little, too late for GTA
Two weeks ago, the federal government unveiled a measure designed to improve housing affordability: a targeted GST/HST rebate for first-time buyers of newly built homes. Unfortunately, this narrowly focused policy is not just inadequate, it's a broken promise decades in the making. The new proposal offers a full GST/HST rebate for first-time buyers of new homes up to $1 million, with a partial rebate for homes priced between $1 million and $1.5 million. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW While this may sound generous on paper, it ignores the reality for hundreds of thousands of Canadians in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and lower mainland British Columbia, where average prices for new homes exceed these thresholds. In practice, very few buyers in these two key regions will benefit. The Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD) has made its position clear: this initiative is both geographically biased and far too narrow in scope to meaningfully impact affordability. But what makes this situation worse is the federal government's failure to uphold a commitment it made to Canadians more than three decades ago. When the new GST was being designed in late 1980s, very specific thought went into how the tax would apply to new homes and how the rebate structure would be put together to ensure that the tax would not impact affordability. Business Opinion What's behind the GTA's housing crisis? Two studies shine a light on the problems By addressing approval delays, reducing municipal fees, and focusing on construction of homes, A federal technical paper released in 1989 by then-Finance Minister Michael Wilson outlines those homes under $350,000 would receive a rebate of up to 36 per cent of GST paid, tapering off to zero at $450,000. As seen on Page 19 of this technical paper, the government also committed to reviewing and adjusting these thresholds every two years to keep pace with economic and housing market conditions. That review and adjustments never happened. At the time, the government estimated that 95 per cent of new homes would qualify for at least a partial rebate, with 90 per cent receiving the maximum. This promise helped sell the tax to Canadians with the reassurance that GST would not be a barrier to home ownership. Today, that assurance rings hollow to buyers in the GTA, where average new home prices have long since eclipsed those 1990s thresholds and so now virtually no homes in the region qualify for a rebate. What was supposed to support 95 per cent of new homebuyers now supports close to 0 per cent. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW According to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), the average price of a single-detached home in Ontario has increased from $276,000 in 1990 to $1,023,000 in 2023, an increase of 270 per cent. Over the same period, the net federal HST collected on these homes increased by 479 per cent, from $8,832 to more than $51,000. This isn't just a statistic; it's a growing burden. That additional $43,000 in taxes, when rolled into a standard 25-year mortgage at 4 per cent, results in an extra $220 in monthly payments, $24,000 in additional interest, and a total financial hit of more than $66,000 over the life of the loan. And that's for a typical new home, not a luxurious mansion. In fact, by failing to update the rebate thresholds as promised, the federal government has quietly extracted nearly $4 billion in additional GST/HST revenue from new homebuyers in Ontario alone — most of it in just the last decade. Business Opinion Sky-high development charges make new home building in the GTA near impossible. Here's what needs to change Failure to cut building costs by modernizing the Development Charges Act, writes Dave Wilkes, The federal government's recently proposed GST/HST relief on new homes for only first-time buyers does not even begin to address the real problem. First-time buyers represent just five-to-10 per cent of new home purchases in the GTA. The rest, like young families upsizing and seniors downsizing, get no help. Plus, the proposed program is geographically biased, as the average price for a condo in the GTA is more and $1 million and the average price of a single-family home (including townhouse and semis) is more than $1.5 million — meaning even those who qualify in the GTA will receive less relief than buyers in lower-cost markets, despite paying more for the same (or lesser) product. The government acknowledges that GST/HST contributes to unaffordability but stops short of meaningful action, so if the federal government is serious about addressing the housing crisis, it needs to start by removing the barriers it helped build. This means expanding GST/HST relief to all new home buyers, not just first-time buyers, and adjusting the rebate thresholds to reflect today's housing markets across the country. This isn't radical, it's simply delivering on a promise made in 1989 and long overdue.


Winnipeg Free Press
11 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Shawn Levy, Our Lady Peace among new inductees to Canada's Walk of Fame
TORONTO – Director Shawn Levy, rock band Our Lady Peace and golf star Mike Weir were among the famous Canadians honoured Saturday with a star on Canada's Walk of Fame. The induction gala also celebrated the accomplishments of guitarist Liona Boyd, actress Tonya Williams, cardiovascular surgeon Dr. Tirone David, War Child Canada founder Dr. Samantha Nutt and hotelier Isadore Sharp. The Toronto International Film Festival is also receiving a star while celebrating 50 years of shaping Canada's film industry. The nine inductees walked the red carpet ahead of the ceremony with friends and family while highlighting their shared pride in being Canadian. The 2025 inductees will join more than 230 Canadians who have been honoured on Canada's Walk of Fame in areas including entertainment, humanitarianism, philanthropy, sports and entrepreneurship. Stars each mark a permanent place of tribute on the streets of Toronto's Entertainment District. 'What's wonderful and different about this year is that we have such unique voices from such unique people,' said Jeffrey Latimer, CEO of Canada's Walk of Fame. 'The connective tissue is that they're all the best at what they do in their professions.' A televised version of Saturday's Walk of Fame induction ceremony will air on July 1 at 7 p.m. on CBC and CBC Gem. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 14, 2025.