Spring Convocation - Students - University of Saskatchewan

Honorary Doctor of Laws
LESlie David DUBÉ
Les Dubé has set an inspiring example
for business and charitable leadership
in the Saskatoon community. Leading
by example through his strength of
character and generous spirit, Mr.
Dubé is a community role model
whose philanthropy, community
service and social investment have
enriched the lives of many.
Les Dubé was born in Wynyard,
Saskatchewan, and in 1954
married Irene Lily Sigurdson. As an
entrepreneur, his contributions in the
community began in 1961 with his
first private sector investment, leading
in 1969 to the opening of a small
business office. Starting with only
three employees, the Concorde Group
of Companies has grown into a large
company with diversified business
ventures in Saskatchewan, Manitoba,
Alberta and British Columbia.
The company started with land
purchases, then building motels,
apartments, warehouses and strip
malls; the supply and distribution of
fresh fruit and vegetables from many
parts of the world for wholesale and
retail food stores throughout Western
Canada. Large distribution facilities
are now located in British Columbia,
Alberta and Manitoba serving Western
Ontario through to British Columbia.
Les Dubé opted to freeze his estate
in 1993, and at that point, the Dubés
decided to donate money accumulated
from their business interest to charities.
Les Dubé’s philanthropic efforts in
Saskatoon have contributed to a new
wing at St. Paul’s Hospital, funding
the only lithotripter (for pulverizing
kidney stones) in Saskatchewan,
the Surgical Special Care Units
and the Urology Centre of Health
at St. Paul’s, the establishment of a
Breast Health Centre at Saskatoon
City Hospital and the Les and Irene
Dubé Community Service-Learning
Program at St. Thomas More College.
Les Dubé has held a number of
leadership positions with charities
and non-profit organizations in
Saskatchewan including the Heart
& Stroke Foundation, the Knights
of Columbus, The Saskatchewan
Diabetes Association, and others too
numerous to mention. Of particular
note are the Dubés’ contributions
to the James P. Mahoney Institute of
the Family. Mr. Dubé served on the
inaugural Board of the Saskatoon
Economic Development Authority,
now SREDA, and his contribution
to the early development of the
Authority is considered instrumental
in its success. With a strong service
commitment to the health sector, he
chaired the St. Paul’s Hospital Board
of Management from 1989–1994,
and was a founding member of the
Saskatoon Health Authority. His
many directorships include service
as Director and Executive Council
Member of the Saskatchewan
Chamber of Commerce, and as a
member of the Board of Governors of
St. Thomas More College.
Les Dubé was inducted into the
SABEX Hall of Fame in 2006 and
was recognized during the City of
Saskatoon Centennial as part of the
100 Who Made a Difference for his
commitment to philanthropy and
entrepreneurial spirit.
University of Saskatchewan 22 Spring Convocation 2007