2026 Outstanding Independents Awards Winner: Dépanneur Voisin Famille Baril

Operator: Éric Labranche

Community involvement has long been at the heart of the work of Éric Labranche, who runs the Voisin #995 store on behalf of the Baril Family in Quebec’s Mauricie region. 

During the pandemic, Labranche became known for his proactive efforts to support neighbours in need. Inspired by the message “Ça va bien aller,” which translates to “It’s going to be okay” in English, he produced rainbow-coloured flags and stickers carrying the slogan and sold them in his stores. 

Proceeds from the initiative raised $2,000 for local charities. He also collaborated with nearby businesses to launch a community food-drive campaign through the sale of donation bags. The initiative generated an additional $10,000, benefiting organizations including Centre Roland‑Bertrand and Artisans de Paix, helping support approximately 800 families facing hardship. 

Throughout the pandemic, Labranche ensured his stores remained open 24 hours a day to serve essential workers. His commitment to community continued in other ways, including volunteering staff support for local school events to ensure health measures could be maintained. 

In 2024, he further strengthened that mission by establishing the Baril Family Foundation, which provides clothing and food to schoolchildren in need across the region. In 2025, the Dépanneur Voisin holiday food drive raised close to $20,000 for the Baril Family Foundation. 

Today, Labranche continues to support his community by continuously seeking out ways to give back to the people his stores serve. He is also in the process of purchasing the site.