Urban BBQ: A Winning Recipe for Research
May 28, 2025 - Presented for the 11th consecutive year by RBC Royal Bank (Quebec), the Urban BBQ for the benefit of the Cancer Research Society (CRS) was once again a resounding success. The event, held on May 28th at the Grand Quay of the Port of Montreal, brought together over 1 000 guests and raised the exceptional sum of $ 900,000 net, an amount that will be used directly to fund innovative cancer research projects in Quebec.
Under the powerful theme: “A meal, connections, and hope”, and in celebration of the CRS’s 80th anniversary, this festive gathering featured a gourmet BBQ specially crafted for the occasion by Marc-André Jetté (Hoogan et Beaufort and Annette bar à vin), with special guest Ricardo Larrivée, Urban BBQ ambassador, and hosted by André Robitaille, spokesperson for the CRS.
“For over 80 years, the CRS has been committed to funding cutting-edge research to better prevent, detect, and treat all types of cancer. The Urban BBQ has become a flagship event in our philanthropic calendar, enabling the funding of scientific breakthroughs that bring hope to people affected by cancer today—and for generations to come. None of this would be possible without the generosity of our participants and the leadership of RBC Royal Bank.”
— Manon Pepin, President and Chief Executive Officer, CRS
“The Urban BBQ perfectly illustrates what can be achieved when the business community rallies around a cause as critical as cancer research. RBC is proud to be at the heart of this collective movement. We are committed to helping advance science in the hope of offering better treatments and improved quality of life for patients across the country.”
— Marjolaine Hudon, Regional President, Quebec Headquarters, RBC Royal Bank
The CRS would like to sincerely thank its partners for their unwavering commitment. Namely, RBC Royal Bank (Quebec), Presenting Partner, as well as EM Real Estate, Platinum Partner, and Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton, Prestige Partner. A huge thank you to Marjolaine Hudon, Regional President, Quebec Division, RBC Royal Bank, Honorary President of the event, and to Jean-François Prince, Senior Vice-President, Regional Banking, Commercial Distribution, RBC Royal Bank and Committee Chair of the Urban BBQ, for their invaluable support.
We would also like to thank the honorary patrons, donors, participants and volunteers whose generosity and energy made this 11th edition a success.
Over the years, the Urban BBQ has become a staple of Montreal philanthropy. Since its very first edition, over $6.3 million has been raised to fund cancer research.
Thanks to events like the Urban BBQ, the CRS is able to continue supporting some of the most promising research projects in the country every year. Since 1945, we have invested more than $423 million in research, helping to advance science and improve the quality of life of those affected by this disease.