A year ago, Philippe Laplante was travelling constantly for work, dealing with the stress of U.S. steel tariffs, eating all the wrong things and feeling terribly out of shape.

Today, he’s practically a new man.

There’s a very good reason for his dramatic lifestyle change: He’s got a big date coming up with a boxing ring and an opponent with no intention of going easy on him.

Laplante is one of 14 Ottawa business and community leaders participating in Fight for the Cure, a white-collar charity boxing night slated for Saturday, Oct. 3 at Rogers Centre Ottawa. For each matchup, it’ll be the fighters’ first time facing their opponent, with all proceeds supporting cancer care and research at The Ottawa Hospital.

For Tim Kluke, president and CEO of The Ottawa Hospital Foundation, Fight for the Cure is a natural fit. The Ottawa Hospital is the region’s cancer centre and home to one of the country’s largest cancer research institutes, while cancer research has long been one of the foundation’s biggest fundraising priorities, he said.

“We’re absolutely thrilled that this flagship cancer care and research event is benefiting The Ottawa Hospital,” said Kluke. “The funds raised are staying in our community, supporting patients, clinical trials and other cancer priorities at the hospital.”

Laplante knew if he was ever going to make the cut during the 2026 winter tryouts, he’d have to whip himself into shape. He’s now running, skipping rope, lifting weights most mornings and sometimes working out twice a day. His knees don’t bother him like they used to. He has more energy than he’s had in years.

“I’m feeling a lot better than I was feeling before,” said Laplante during an interview at the east-end head office of Ideal Roofing, where he serves as co-CEO. “I’m like the Energizer Bunny.”

Each participant has been asked to raise a minimum of $50,000 for the cause. Laplante is well past the $100,000 mark. Next up for him: $150,000. And if he gets there, maybe even $200,000.

“I’m very competitive,” said the 38-year-old married father of four. Not only does he want to beat his opponent, he’s also aiming to become Fight for the Cure’s top fundraiser for 2026. He hopes to surpass the $180,000 raised last year by Gabriel Pizza’s George Hanna, who’s helping him with training.

For Laplante, it’s the fundraising part that’s his “kryptonite.” He’s usually the one being asked for money, not the one doing the asking, through his company’s support of organizations such as Shepherds of Good Hope, The Ottawa Cancer Foundation, BGC Ottawa and OSEG Foundation. He’s been reaching out to family, friends, suppliers, vendors and buyers. He’s also organizing events, including a charity golf tournament.

“It’s a little bit out of my realm,” said Laplante, who’s picked up some tips from The Ottawa Hospital Foundation’s Shelley McLean and Fight for the Cure coach Chantal Theriault. “It’s all about doing it in increments and creating little targets.”

Laplante is no stranger to Fight for the Cure. He’s a longtime supporter of the fundraiser and its renewed focus on cancer care and research, a cause that has hit close to home for members of his family, as well as employees and their children.

And you don’t need three days of Rumpelstiltskin-style guessing to figure out his favourite movie growing up: Rocky. The writing was literally on the wall — his office wall, where there’s a large mural of a businessman in boxing gloves, accompanied by a quote from Suits character Harvey Specter: “I don’t have dreams, I have goals.”

2026 Fight for the Cure participant Philippe Laplante, co-CEO of Ideal Roofing, poses at his east-end office in front of a mural that now seems prophetic. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Laplante expressed an interest last year in getting in on the boxing action, only to be told by Fight for the Cure co-founder Scott Whitteker that, physically, he wasn’t ready. At six foot three, his weight had climbed to 295 pounds, helped along by frequent business travel and too many restaurant meals. He also has two boys under three, in addition to his two older children, ages 19 and 16.

On top of it all, U.S. steel tariffs have put Laplante under added pressure, with Ideal Roofing’s American sales down roughly 50 per cent and employees on both sides of the border left wondering what comes next.

“I’ve had a lot of sleepless nights,” said Laplante.

Ideal Roofing is a fourth-generation family business founded by Laplante’s great-grandfather in 1929, originally supplying farmers. The company manufactures steel roofing and siding products and also operates locations in Brampton and Moncton, typically employing 350 people during its busy season. A proud Franco-Ontarian, Laplante now leads the company alongside his father.

Laplante said he saw Fight for the Cure as a way of turning his lifestyle around.

“I was out of shape,” acknowledged Laplante, who set himself a goal, beginning in November, to drop considerable weight by the time the tryouts came around in early February. “I wanted to be healthy for my kids, I wanted to set a good example, to show them what it means to have goals, and to do what I can to help with cancer research.”

Laplante improved his eating habits and worked on his strength and cardio. He swapped chicken wings for lean protein and rice, and his usual beer for water.

The aspiring boxer impressed Fight for the Cure CEO Trevor Clark when he arrived for tryouts. He’d dropped 30 pounds and would go on to lose a total of 45. “He said, ‘I’m finding you a [physical] match no matter what,’” Laplante recalled.

Laplante is fighting Matt Champagne, owner of Champagne Construction & Interlock. Champagne, who’s a few years older and slightly heavier, is also married to former Fight for the Cure champ Shauna Bradley, CEO of Heart & Crown Irish Pubs, a co-presenting sponsor of the event with Inflector Environmental Services.

“I definitely want to win; I’m training to win,” said Laplante, who’s even getting a little help from one of his foremen, a former professional boxer in Mexico. “My greater purpose is to raise as much money as possible, but I also want to put on a good show.”

Whatever happens on fight night, Laplante says one change is here to stay: his healthier lifestyle, long after the gloves come off.

For more details about the event, see the Fight for the Cure website.

This article is made possible through sponsorship from Star Motors, WEALTH (WCPD), Syntax Strategic, RBC, Marilyn Wilson Dream Properties, ExecHealth, Altis Recruitment, Bell Canada, First Avenue Investment Counsel, Welch LLP, Brazeau Seller Law and Prime Benefits Group.

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