Jean-Guy Paquet

21st Rector of Université Laval

1977-1987

CC, OQ, FRSC, PhD, Eng.

Born in Montmagny, Québec, Jean-Guy Paquet earned his bachelor’s degree in engineering physics from Université Laval in 1959. He went on to study aeronautics at École nationale supérieure de l’aéronautique in Paris, which awarded him a master’s degree the following year. In 1963 he earned his PhD in electrical engineering from Université Laval. Over the following decade, he supervised more than 20 master’s theses and doctoral dissertations, and co-authored more than 50 scientific publications, including two tomes on systems theory and robotics.

In 1969 he became vice dean of the Faculty of Science and Engineering at Université Laval. In 1972 he was named vice rector of teaching and research. As rector of Université Laval from 1977 to 1987, he worked to build close relationships between the university and the broader community. He founded Groupe d’action pour l’avancement technologique et industriel de la région de Québec (GATIQ), and paved the way for the creation of the National Optics Institute (INO) and the Québec Metro High Tech Park.

During his time as rector, Jean-Guy Paquet established a commission to study the future of Université Laval, whose recommendations were then implemented through the Laval Project. The positions of ombudsman and women’s issues coordinator were created. The University introduced the strategic planning process, creating a master plan entitled “Choisir la qualité et miser sur nos forces” (“Choosing Quality and Leveraging our Strengths”). The number of students grew from 18,000 to 35,000, research grants and PhD recipients doubled, and the Research Development Office was created. The University welcomed distinguished guests such as His Holiness Pope John Paul II, Mother Teresa, United Nations Secretary-General Perez de Cuellar, the Duke of Edinburgh, and Perpetual Secretary of the Académie française Maurice Druon. Rector Paquet closed out his term with a major fundraising campaign that brought in $42 million for the construction of three new buildings on the UL campus.

During his rectorship, he held a number of other positions, including president of Jeunes entreprises du Québec métropolitain, co-president of the Corporate–Higher Education Forum, vice president of Association des universités partiellement et entièrement de langue française, president of the Conférence des recteurs et principaux des universités du Québec, member of the board of governors of the Institute of Canadian Bankers, and member of the National Advisory Board on Science and Technology.

After 25 years in academia, in 1998 Mr. Paquet turned his sights to the private sector, becoming president of Laurentian Life Inc. and executive vice president and chief operating officer of Laurentian Financial, president and chief executive officer of Laurentian Life of Canada and Laurentian Investments, and chairman of the board of Life of Boston.

In October 1994, he was appointed president and CEO of the National Optics Institute (INO) in Québec City, whose primary mission is research and development in optics-photonics to promote the country’s economic growth, helping businesses find ways to be more competitive.

Mr. Paquet is on the board of the following organizations: the National Optics Institute, the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Industrial Alliance Auto and Home Insurance Inc., MAAX Inc., the TELUS-Québec advisory board, Groupe d’action pour l’avancement technologique et industriel de la région de Québec (GATIQ), and Maison Michel-Sarrazin and its foundation. In October 2001 he was named chair of the board of the Canadian Space Agency. He was also closely associated with the founding of Moisson Québec and served as chair of the board of Musée du Québec from 1988 to 1994 and the Centraide-Québec (United Way) general fundraising campaign twice.

Mr. Paquet has received the following distinctions: induction into the Académie des Grands Québécois (2002), Prix d’Honneur 2001 from Société des relations internationales de Québec (SORIQ), Armand-Frappier award (Prix du Québec 2000), ADRIQ Career Award (1999), the Grand Prix d’Excellence from the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec (1998), Companion of the Order of Canada (1994), Officer of the Order of Québec (1992), Officer of the National Order of Merit (awarded by the President of France, 1993), the Gloire de l’Escolle Medal from the Université Laval Alumni Association (1987), Officer of Ordre de la Pléiade (awarded by the Association internationale des parlementaires de langue française, 1986), Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada (1978), and Honorary Fellow of the Corporate–Higher Education Forum and the Canadian Academy of Engineering. He has also received honorary doctorates from McGill University in Montréal, York University in Toronto, the Technical University of Nova Scotia, and Université de Sherbrooke.