The generous donations of Leslie and Irene Dubé to the University of Saskatchewan have left a lasting impact on the community.

On March 13th, 2024 Leslie Dubé passed away at the age of 91. Dubé was a businessman, philanthropist, father, husband and a vital member of the Saskatoon community. He was born on February 16th, 1933 in Wynyard, Saskatchewan to Joseph and Jennie Dubé. In 1954, Dubé married Irene who was also from Wynyard. 

Dubé had a vast portfolio of experiences and held a variety of different job positions throughout his career. His early life included working on the family farm, working as a brakeman and cook for the Canadian Pacific Railway, various positions including store manager with OK Economy store and head produce buyer for Shelly Brothers – now Loblaws and Westfair Food. 

In 1967, Dubé founded the LID Company, a fresh produce importing and distribution business. One year later the Dubés made their first private-sector investment by purchasing land on Eight Street East, which is now known as Greystone Heights, along with Martin Hector. In 1969 the Dubés opened an office to manage their growing ventures and later named it the Concorde Group of Companies, after the fastest aircraft in the world at that time to represent the speed at which their business was growing. Leslie and Irene Dubé managed a diverse collection of companies which included commercial properties, apartment buildings, produce businesses and the Pizza Hut franchise for Sasktchewan.

In the early 2000s the Dubés shifted from business to philanthropic work. They are best known for their donations to improving health, education and community. The Dubés were recognized as the 100 Who Made a Difference during the City of Saskatoon Centennial in 2006, received the Saskatchewan Order of Merit in 2008, and in 2017 received the Order of Canada as a recognition of their philanthropic work. 

The Dubés contributed significantly to the University of Saskatchewan. Irene Dubé served on the Board of Governors from 1987 to 1989. In 2007, they received honorary Doctor of Laws degrees from USask. 

In 2011, the Dubés donated $10 million to support the University of Saskatchewan Health Sciences project. The 500 seat lecture theatre, along with the Health Sciences library, were named in their honour: the Leslie and Irene Dubé Theatre and the Leslie and Irene Dubé Health Sciences Library respectively. 

In 2012 the Dubés donated $1 million to St. Thomas More  College (STM). In their honour, STM dedicated the Chair for Catholic studies in their name: the Leslie and Irene Dubé Chair for Catholic Studies. The Chair is responsible for scholarships in the area of Catholic studies and the advancement of Catholic knowledge and education. 

Additionally in 2012, in celebration of National Philanthropy Day, the Dubés were given the designation Honoured Supporters of the University of Saskatchewan. This is awarded to influential community members and philanthropists each year. Most recently, in 2020 Leslie and Irene Dubé donated $1 million to the Western College of Veterinary Medicine at USask. 

The Dubés contributed significantly to health organisations in Saskatoon. They have donated nearly $8 million to the Royal University Hospital, from which $3 million was allocated to the Leslie and Irene Dubé Centre for Mental Health, $6.5 million to the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital, $1 million to the Saskatchewan Hospital in North Battleford, and funded the Leslie and Irene Dubé Urology Centre of Health at St. Paul’s Hospital. 

USask President Peter Stoicheff has offered heartfelt condolences to the Dubé family and their friends on behalf of the university, saying, “We are extremely grateful for the visionary contributions that Les and his wife Irene have made to USask and to organisations throughout our province. Les has been a community builder and leader whose generosity will have a lasting impact on our university and on the lives of Saskatchewan citizens for many years to come.”

The President of STM, Carl Still, also offered condolences to Irene and the Dubé family, saying that STM will remember and honour his legacy in the community and at STM: “Through his devoted service and visionary generosity, Les enriched the life of the college and elevated the learning experience of countless students over the past twenty years.” A memorial mass will be held at the STM chapel for Dubé. Details will be available through the STM Campus Ministry. 

The USask community will continue to remember the generosity of Leslie Dubé during every finals study session in the Health Science library and every lecture in room 1550 in the Health Sciences Building.