The Leader

Gérald Tremblay followed a course that allowed him to explore numerous fields of interest and in so doing, enrich his thinking on the development of businesses as well as institutions. Elected mayor of Montréal in November 2001, he was given a second mandate in the fall of 2005 and a third in the fall of 2009. He also is chairperson of theCommunauté métropolitaine de Montréal(CMM) and of the Montréal Agglomeration Council.

As head of Quebec’s metropolis, he put his considerable experience to the service of his community. His objective: building a city to serve its citizens. Upon his arrival at city hall, Gérald Tremblay quickly showed his qualities as a leader by uniting all the partners of Montreal’s development, bringing them to work together and to propose projects that would ensure the future of the metropolis. He showed his leadership by laying the groundwork for the foundation of the new city of Montréal. In the same way, he now provides Montrealers with a game plan: Building Montréal 2025 – A World of Creativity and Possibilities, the result of the 2002 Summit as well as construction projects that are a direct outcome of these initiatives.

A lawyer and member of the Québec Bar Association since 1970, Gérald Tremblay holds an MBA from Harvard Business School. As senior partner and general manager of the consulting firm Sobeco Ernst & Young, he helped with the creation of a business turnaround concept. Following his participation in the revival of theFédération des Caisses d’entraide économique du Québec, he was noticed by the government of Québec, then led by Robert Bourassa. He was president of the Société de développement industriel du Québec from 1986 to 1989, and then served on the Board of Directors of theCaisse de dépôt et placement du Québecand that of Hydro-Québec where he was Member of the Executive Committee.

In 1989, Gérald Tremblay was elected Liberal MNA for Outremont and named Minister of Industry, Commerce, Science and Technology, from 1989 to 1994. Gérald Tremblay created and promoted the Quebec strategy for economic development based on the industrial clusters concept.

Today, in addition to being mayor, chairperson of the CMM and the agglomeration council, Gérald Tremblay assumes other responsibilities on other Canadian and international bodies and associations. Among others, he is Member of the Board of Directors of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and occupies different positions with the Caucus of Big City Mayors. He is also Director of the St-Laurent/Quebec region of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative. Gérald Tremblay is also Member of the Executive bureau of the United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) where he assumes the responsibility of Vice-Chair of the Committee on water and sanitation. He is executive Vice-President, treasurer and president of the METROPOLIS Committee on services and infrastructures funding. He is a founding member of the World Mayors Council on climate change. He was recently elected Vice-President of theAssociation internationale des maires francophones(AIMF). He is also a Member of Mayors for Peace.