Jacques Bougie

Born in Montréal in 1947, Jacques Bougie obtained a law degree from the Université de Montréal and a degree in business administration from the École des hautes études commerciales (HEC Montréal). These degrees were complemented by management courses in the International Management Program (Canada–Japan).

Jacques Bougie joined Alcan in 1979 as manager of Beauharnois Works, part of Alcan’s Smelters and Chemicals Ltd. From 1981 to 1989, he held various positions in Winnipeg, Toronto and Montréal in major project development, planning and general management, including responsibility for all downstream processing activities in North America, with the exception of rolling. He was vice-president, planning and administration, of Alcan Canada Products and president of Alcan Extrusion, North America, and subsequently of Alcan Enterprises. In July 1989, he was appointed president and chief operating officer of Alcan Aluminium Ltd. and, in November 1993, Jacques. Bougie took the helm of the company as president and chief executive officer.

Upon hearing of his resignation, the Alcan board of directors underscored Jacques Bougie’s remarkable leadership and exceptional contribution to the company’s growth: “From the critical restructuring of Alcan’s assets to the transformation of the company into an aluminium and packaging leader, not to mention by allowing the company to reach its full potential, Jacques Bougie unquestionably left his mark. He led Alcan to a new level of performance and expanded its horizons.”

Jacques Bougie left quite a legacy behind. By orchestrating the merger with Algroup, he wrote an important chapter in the company’s history. The new Alcan is a multinational US$12.4 billion company and global leader in aluminium and flexible and specialty packaging. It boasts 53,000 employees and conducts its operations in 37 countries.

Jacques Bougie sat on many federal work groups, commissions and advisory committees and was actively involved in various Canadian community and socio-cultural organizations. He chaired the Canada–Japan Business Committee from 1994 to 1999 and he was also a member of the Canadian Group of the Trilateral Commission from 1993 to 1998, the Canada–Japan Forum 2000 from 1991 to 1992 and the Economic Council of Canada from 1987 to 1990. Jacques Bougie was also a member of the board of directors of the Royal Bank of Canada, Bell Canada and BCE Mobile Communications.

Although he considerably reduced his professional activities, Jacques. Bougie did not completely sever his ties with the business community. Indeed, he continued to act as vice-chair of the Business Council on National Issues, a position he has held in 1998, and he co-chaired the 2001 Centraide of Greater Montréal fundraising campaign.

Jacques Bougie was named an Officer of the Order of Canada (1994) and awarded the Order of Merit by the Association des diplômés de l’Université de Montréal in 1999, in recognition of his professional achievements and contribution to the economic and social development of the country.

Jacques Bougie was inducted into the Academy of Great Montrealers in the Economic category in 2001 and was named a Commander of the Ordre de Montréal in 2016.