Paul Paré

Paul Paré was convinced that business and industrial leaders should participate in the debate on national issues. He frequently spoke in favour of stronger involvement of the business community in the social and political world, thereby winning the respect and consideration of his peers. Also, his personal public contribution to the referendum issue of 1980 demonstrated eloquently his profound conviction that Quebec and Canada share common interests.

Leader of Imasco since its founding in 1969, Paul Pare was responsible in many ways for the remarkable success of the corporation. His achievements during the diversification period of Imasco are particularly noteworthy. Starting from a tobacco base, Imasco broadened its field to include retail drug outlets in Canada and in the U.S., and fast-food outlets in the U.S. As further proof of its dynamic force, Imasco acquired Canada Trustco, the largest trust company in the country.

Born in Montréal in 1922, Paul Paré studied at Loyola College and at McGill University, graduating with a bachelor of laws degree. After serving in the Royal Canadian Navy during the Second World War, reaching the rank of Lieutenant-Commander, he was admitted to the Quebec bar in 1949 and joined the firm of Slattery, Bélanger and Paré. He entered lhe legal department of Imperial Tobacco that same year. From 1950 to 1952, he was executive assistant to the Minister of National Defence, the Honourable Brooke Claxton.

In 1952, Paul Paré returned to the legal department of Imperial Tobacco. Three years later, he moved on to Canadian Tobacofina as President. In 1963, he once more returned to Imperial Tobacco, as Vice-President of Marketing. At this point in his career, he began his ascent to the top of the corporate ladder. Elected to the Board of Directors of Imperial Tobacco in 1964, he became Executive Vice-President in 1966. He was appointed President of Imasco in 1969. In 1979, he was elected Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer. He left the latter function in the spring of 1986 and remained Chairman of the Board.

Paul Paré was also a member of several boards of Canadian corporations, namely IBM Canada, The Canadian Fund Ltd., The Canadian Investment Fund Ltd., Canadian Pacific Ltd., Liquid Carbonic Canada Ltd., Royal Bank of Canada, SNC Group, CIP Inc. and Telemedia Inc. His contribution also extended to several welfare organizations. He was a governor of St. Mary’s Hospital of Montréal, the Portage Program (related to drug dependency), Olympic Trust of Canada and the Douglas Hospital Corporation. He was a member of the Advisory Board of the Palliative Care Centre of the Royal Victoria Hospital and an honorary member of the Canadian Association for Children’s Surgery and the foundation for the Université du Quebec à Montréal. He was co-chairman of the “A city, call it proud” campaign, launched in 1983. In 1985, he was named an Officer of the Order of Canada.

Paul Paré married Audrey Drury in 1948. They had four children, Victor, Ronald, Jane and Cathy, and two grandchildren, Ian and Lucy.

Paul Paré died in 1996. He was inducted into the Academy of Great Montrealers in the Economic category in 1986 and was named a Commander of the Ordre de Montréal in 2016.