Pierre Arcand (born November 13, 1951) is a Canadian politician, businessman, announcer and journalist in Quebec, Canada. He was the elected Member of the National Assembly of Quebec (MNA) for the provincial riding of Mont-Royal–Outremont in the Island of Montreal from 2007 to 2022. He represented the Quebec Liberal Party. On October 5, 2018, Arcand was named interim leader, following the resignation of Philippe Couillard after the 2018 Quebec general election.

Pierre Arcand
Arcand in 2019
Leader of the Opposition of Quebec
In office
October 18, 2018 – May 11, 2020
PremierFrançois Legault
Preceded byJean-François Lisée
Succeeded byDominique Anglade
Interim Leader of the Quebec Liberal Party
In office
October 5, 2018 – May 11, 2020
President
  • Antoine Atallah
  • Linda Caron
Preceded byPhilippe Couillard
Succeeded byDominique Anglade
President of the Treasury Board
In office
October 11, 2017 – October 18, 2018
PremierPhilippe Couillard
Preceded byPierre Moreau
Succeeded byChristian Dubé
Minister of Energy and Natural Resources
In office
April 23, 2014 – October 11, 2017
PremierPhilippe Couillard
Preceded byMartine Ouellet
Succeeded byPierre Moreau
Minister for Environment, Sustainable Development and Parks
In office
August 11, 2010 – September 19, 2012
PremierJean Charest
Preceded byLine Beauchamp
Succeeded byDaniel Breton
Minister of International Relations
Minister responsible for the Francophonie
In office
December 28, 2008 – August 11, 2010
PremierJean Charest
Preceded byMonique Gagnon-Tremblay
Succeeded byMonique Gagnon-Tremblay
Member of the
National Assembly of Quebec
for Mont-Royal–Outremont
(Mont-Royal; 2007–2018)
In office
March 26, 2007 – October 3, 2022
Preceded byPhilippe Couillard
Succeeded byMichelle Setlakwe
Personal details
Born (1951-11-13) November 13, 1951 (age 73)
Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada
Political partyQuebec Liberal Party
Spouse(s)
Marielle Delisle[1]
(m. 1974)

Dominique Chaloult
RelativesPaul Arcand (brother)
Profession
  • Businessman
  • journalist

He is the brother of journalist Paul Arcand.[2]

Studies and professional career

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Arcand attended Cégep de Saint-Hyacinthe and the HEC (Hautes etudes commerciales) in the 1970s.[2]

Radiophony

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Arcand started his journalistic career in 1978 at CKAC as a news editor and then the radio station's vice president and the director of information. He was then the senior vice-president of Metromedia CMR Broadcasting Inc. in which the company acquired several radio and television stations across the province but mainly in the Montreal area. Among those included CKOI-FM and CFCF-AM. In 2002, he became the president of Corus Entertainment's Corus Quebec radio division, which purchased Metromedia's radio stations.[3][4]

He was involved with the Tel-Aide community organization as an administration member.[2]

Provincial politics

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In 2007, Arcand announced his candidacy in the provincial election for the riding of Mont-Royal which was left vacant by Health minister Philippe Couillard who announced his candidacy in the riding of Jean-Talon in Quebec City replacing Margaret Delisle. He decided to run to improve the province's economic competitiveness.[5]

Following his easy re-election in 2008, Arcand was given his first cabinet position. He was named the Minister for International Relations, replacing Monique Gagnon-Tremblay who was promoted to President of the Treasury Board replacing Monique Jérôme-Forget. Arcand was also given the portfolio of the Francophonie that was left vacant by Benoit Pelletier who did not seek re-election.[5]

Since August 11, 2010, he has held the position of Minister of Sustainable Development, the Environment and Parks. He has also served as a member of the Ministerial Committee for Economic Prosperity and Sustainable Development since January 15, 2009.[5]

He was re-elected in September 2012 and in April 2014 and, since April 2014, has held the position of Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Minister responsible for the Northern Plan, Minister responsible for the Lanaudiere region, and Minister responsible for the Laurentides region. In July 2014, Arcand was awarded the Fray International Sustainability Award at SIPS 2014/Shechtman International Symposium in Mexico, for his achievements and contributions to sustainable development in politics.[6][5]

At the dissolution of the house in August 2018, Arcand was Minister responsible for Government Administration and Ongoing Program Review, Chair of the Conseil du trésor, and Minister responsible for the Côte-Nord region.[7][5]

In the 2018 election, Arcand was reelected in the redistributed riding of Mont-Royal–Outremont.[8]

In December 2020, Arcand was found to have been vacationing in Barbados, despite the COVID-19 pandemic and public health advisories to avoid unnecessary travel, and as a result, was removed from his role as the opposition's critic for transportation and his position to represent the Quebec Liberals on Montreal issues.[9]

Interim Liberal leader

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On October 5, 2018, Arcand was named interim leader, following the resignation of Philippe Couillard after the 2018 Quebec general election.[10][11] This role ended when Dominique Anglade became party leader on May 11, 2020.[12]

Guy Ouellette case

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As soon as he was elected interim party leader, Arcand expelled Guy Ouellette from the Liberal caucus.[13][14]

References

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  1. ^ "Enregsitrement de mariage" (in French). Ministry of Health and Social Services. June 8, 1974. Retrieved March 26, 2020 – via Institut généalogique Drouin.
  2. ^ a b c "Pierre Arcand - Assemblée nationale du Québec". www.assnat.qc.ca.
  3. ^ Conseil ministres gouv.qc.ca [dead link]
  4. ^ Petrowski, Nathalie (May 10, 2009). "Pierre Arcand: ministre en ascension". La Presse.
  5. ^ a b c d e "Pierre Arcand - Assemblée nationale du Québec". www.assnat.qc.ca.
  6. ^ "Pierre Arcand is awarded with Fray International Sustainability Award in Mexico". flogen.org. FLOGEN Star OUTREACH.
  7. ^ "Pierre Arcand - National Assembly of Québec". www.assnat.qc.ca.
  8. ^ "Quebec election: Pierre Arcand takes Mont-Royal–Outremont riding". Global News.
  9. ^ "Quebec Liberal Pierre Arcand stripped of shadow cabinet roles after Barbados trip". Global News.
  10. ^ Authier, Philip (October 5, 2018). "New interim Liberal leader Pierre Arcand takes aim at CAQ and QS". The Gazette. Retrieved October 5, 2018.
  11. ^ "Quebec Liberals name long-time member Pierre Arcand interim leader". The Globe and Mail. Quebec City, Quebec. The Canadian Press. October 5, 2018. Archived from the original on May 28, 2023. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
  12. ^ "Dominique Anglade prend les commandes du PLQ". Radio-Canada.ca (in Canadian French). Retrieved May 11, 2020.
  13. ^ "Pierre Arcand chasse Guy Ouellette". Le Devoir. October 6, 2018.
  14. ^ "Le député Guy Ouellette est exclu du caucus libéral". TVA Nouvelles. October 5, 2018.
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Quebec provincial government of Jean Charest
Cabinet posts (3)
Predecessor Office Successor
Monique Gagnon-Tremblay Minister of International Relations
2008–2010
Monique Gagnon-Tremblay
Benoit Pelletier Minister for the Francophonie
2008–2012
Jean-François Lisée
Line Beauchamp Minister for Environment, Sustainable Development and Parks
2010–2012
Daniel Breton