McGill University’s new chancellor: Pierre Boivin

The Board of Governors of McGill University has approved the nomination of Pierre Boivin as the 21st Chancellor.

Boivin is the former president of the Montreal Canadiens and is a longstanding leader in Quebec’s charitable and business sectors.

“Pierre Boivin’s commitment to service and his entrepreneurial spirit make him the ideal candidate to serve as McGill’s 21st Chancellor,” said Maryse Bertrand, Chair of the McGill Board of Governors. “We are fortunate to have a leader of his calibre join the University in this capacity and look forward to working with him in the years ahead.”

He has been appointed for a three-year term, beginning on July 1, 2024 and will succeed Chancellor John McCall MacBain, whose current term ends June 30, 2024. 

His nomination stems from a process that was launched last summer by the Nominating, Governance and Ethics Committee.

According to a press release by McGill University, the chancellor’s duties include presiding over Convocation and representing the University at official functions.

Boivin is currently the Vice-Chair of the Board of Claridge Inc., after having completed a 12-year mandate as president and CEO of the private investment firm headquartered in Montreal.

He is also well known to hockey fans as the former president of the Montreal Canadiens, a position he held from 1999 to 2011.

He has be the chair of several foundations and fundraising initiatives such as the Montreal Canadiens Children’s Foundation in 2000 and the Fondation CHU Sainte-Justine from 2006 to 2012.

“Through his life and work, Pierre Boivin has made outstanding contributions across the domains of business, sports and entertainment in Quebec,” said Deep Saini, president and vice-chancellor of McGill. “I am confident that, in his role as Chancellor of McGill, he will serve our University with the same degree of commitment and integrity, reflecting our values and advancing our mission in all that he does.”

Boivin said he is honoured to have been selected as chancellor of McGill University.

“I look forward with great enthusiasm to serving McGill and its exceptional community of students, faculty, staff and alumni, in Quebec, Canada and around the world.”