Communication from Groupe Boda

While our offices were closed for the summer construction holiday, the Journal de Montréal published an article by Sarah-Maude Lefebvre that casts doubt on the enviable reputation of Groupe Boda and its founder, Ms. Alice Wu. The article falsely suggests that Groupe Boda organized and/or financially contributed to an event held on May 26, 2025, at a restaurant in Brossard. This is simply not true. The company is entirely apolitical and neither participated in nor made any contribution whatsoever to the event.

Ms. Alice Wu recognizes the importance of integrating members of the Chinese community into Quebec society. As an immigrant herself who founded her family on the South Shore of Montreal more than 30 years ago, she is aware that her success is largely due to the warm welcome of her adopted homeland and to every Quebecer who contributed to her growth. It was in this spirit that she agreed to take part in an integration event aimed at bringing members of the Chinese community closer to a local elected official. It is unfortunate to see this personal contribution from Ms. Wu distorted and to witness the partisanship displayed by certain local political actors.

Let us be clear. Neither Groupe Boda nor its founder paid, directly or indirectly, for the participants’ meals or for the organization of this event. Ms. Alice Wu paid for her own meal and that of her husband. The sound system belongs to the restaurant and is provided free of charge to its customers. The interpreter voluntarily and graciously participated in the event. A Chinese-born artist gifted the mayor a painting of his own creation as a gesture of friendship. One of the event participants filmed the gathering for personal purposes, in order to share a positive message on his social media. To suggest that this free and altruistic participation constitutes a “lobbying effort” is both false and misleading.

Groupe Boda remains firmly of the view that Quebec is stronger when all its communities integrate, actively participate, and proudly share their diversity, ideas, and commitment. Let us choose inclusion over division.