As founder and president of the real estate development company Brigil, Ottawa native Gilles Desjardins exemplifies courage, hard work and commitment to the community. He has created a real estate development business solidly established in the National Capital Region.
Gilles Desjardins’ inspiring career started in 1985, when, at 19 years’ old and with the support of his father, he built his first six-unit residential building. Since then, Mr. Desjardins has transformed his vision into reality, building more than 14,000 residential units. Today, Brigil holdings number over 5200 residential units, as well as commercial buildings, and strategic lands in Ottawa and Gatineau that are ready for the construction of some 45,000 new residential units.
Mr. Desjardins’ career and influence in business circles is reflected in the awards he has received from his peers. These have included Person of the Year from the Gatineau Chamber of Commerce, Entrepreneur of the Year from the Regroupement des gens d’affaires; the Order of Gatineau; and the Grand bâtisseur de l’Outaouais award. As well, Brigil was featured on Aon Hewitt’s “Best Employer in Canada” list in 2013 and 2014, proving the company’s commitment to the well-being of its employees.
A generous philanthropist for more than 40 years, Mr. Desjardins has supported over 400 causes in areas as diverse as health care, education, culture and the environment. In 2024–2025, he and his sons co-chaired the 80th annual Centraide Outaouais campaign, which raised more than $4.8M. He currently chairs the major gifts committee of the Fondation Santé Outaouais’ $50M campaign.
He has also received the Grand mécène du Québec award, the Governor General of Canada Meritorious Service Medal and the Gérard-Lesage Medal from the Université du Québec en Outaouais.
With his spouse Céline and his sons Jessy and Kevin, Mr. Desjardins continues to build a family business founded on civic values.