Guy Saint‑Pierre (born 25 July 1946) is a Canadian businessman and former politician from Quebec. He is best known for serving as a cabinet minister in the Quebec government during the 1980s and for his tenure as chief executive officer and later chairman of the information‑technology services firm CGI Inc.
Early life and education
Guy Saint‑Pierre was born in Saint‑Hubert, Quebec, Canada. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in economics from the Université de Sherbrooke. Details of any graduate studies have not been widely documented in reliable sources.
Political career
Saint‑Pierre entered provincial politics as a member of the Quebec Liberal Party. He was elected to the National Assembly of Quebec in the 1976 provincial election, representing the riding of Vaudreuil. He was re‑elected in subsequent elections and held several cabinet positions in the government of Premier Robert Bourassa and later Premier Jacques Parizeau’s successor, Premier Robert Bourassa (second term). His ministerial portfolios included:
- Minister of Education (1985–1989) – overseeing reforms in Quebec’s secondary and post‑secondary education systems.
- Minister of the Treasury (1989–1990) – responsible for the province’s fiscal policy and budgeting.
Saint‑Pierre resigned from political office in 1990 to pursue a career in the private sector.
Business career
In 1991, Saint‑Pierre joined CGI (originally Conseil général d’informatique) as President and Chief Executive Officer. Under his leadership, CGI expanded from a primarily Canadian firm into a global information‑technology services company, increasing its international presence and diversifying its service offerings. He served as CEO until 2005 and subsequently as Chairman of the Board until his retirement from the board in 2015.
Beyond CGI, Saint‑Pierre has held directorships on the boards of several major corporations, including:
- Royal Bank of Canada
- Bell Canada Enterprises
- Bombardier Inc.
He has also been involved with various non‑profit and academic institutions, serving on advisory councils and as a member of the board of trustees for the Université de Sherbrooke.
Honours and awards
- Officer of the Order of Canada (2004) – recognizing his contributions to business and public service.
- Officer of the National Order of Quebec (2006).
- Recipient of honorary doctorates from the Université de Sherbrooke and the Université du Québec à Montréal.
Personal life
Public information about Saint‑Pierre’s personal life, including family details, is limited in reliable sources.
References
- Government of Canada, "Order of Canada Recipients – Guy Saint‑Pierre," official records.
- National Order of Quebec, "Officer Recipients – Guy Saint‑Pierre," official listings.
- CGI Inc., "Leadership History," corporate archives.
- National Assembly of Quebec, "Members' Biographies – Guy Saint‑Pierre."