Pierre Péladeau

Class of 2000

Pierre Péladeau is a graduate of the Université de Montréal, and is best known as the founder of Canadian media company Quebecor Inc. Péladeauu bought his first newspaper, Le Journal de Rosemont, in 1950 with $1,500 borrowed from his mother. Three years later he acquired his first printing press. In 1964, Péladeau launched le Journal de Montréal, which became the highest circulation French daily in North America. Two years later he launched le Journal de Quebec, and in 1985 he amalgamated his various businesses under the name Quebecor.

In 1987, Quebecor secured Donohue Inc., one of Quebec’s largest pulp and paper companies. Throughout the 1980s and 90s, Quebecor multiplied its acquisitions in the printing industry. With the acquisition of World Color Press in 1999, Quebecor became the world’s premier commercial printer.

Through its subsidiary, Communications Quebecor Inc., the company publishes, distributes and retails books, magazines and recorded music. With the acquisition of the TQS network in 1997, Quebecor became active in broadcasting and new-media as well.

Over the years, Quebecor acquired or established a number of weekly news publications and distributors. In 1999, the purchase of Sun Media Corporation made Quebecor the second largest newspaper group in Canada. The company’s revenue exceeded 11 billion dollars, and Quebecor employed over 60,000 employees worldwide.

In addition to his thriving company, Péladeau remained a proud supporter of the arts. He was a founder of the Pavillon des Arts in Sainte-Ade¨le, and Chairman of the Montréal Metropolitan Orchestra.  He donated one million dollars to the Université du Québec é  Montréal’s efforts to build the Centre Pierre-Péladeau, dedicated to music and performing arts.

Pierre Péladeau also chaired and/or directed a number of organizations for the rehabilitation of alcoholics, including Pavillon Pierre Péladeau, La Maisonnee de Laval and l’Auberge du Nouveau Chemin. He was active with the Centre Immaculée-Conception, the Magnetothèque (as an honorary chairman), as well as many other worthy causes. In 1996, Péladeau made a one million dollar donation to the victims of the disastrous Saguenay-Lac St-Jean floods. He was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada in 1987, and an Officer of the National Order of Quebec in 1989.