Renaud Lachance

Renaud Lachance is a Canadian accountant, public administrator, and former senior civil servant who served as the Auditor General of Quebec from 2004 to 2012. His tenure was marked by rigorous audits of provincial government spending and significant contributions to public sector accountability. Following his term, he has held prominent roles in corporate governance, academia, and on various public boards, establishing himself as a leading figure in Canadian financial oversight and ethics.

Early life and education

Renaud Lachance was born in Quebec and pursued his higher education in the province. He earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from Université Laval, a prominent institution in Quebec City. Demonstrating early academic excellence, he later attended the prestigious Harvard Business School in the United States, where he completed the Program for Management Development. His educational foundation in both Quebec and at an elite international business school equipped him with a strong understanding of public administration and corporate finance.

Career

Before his appointment as Auditor General of Quebec, Lachance built a substantial career in the private sector and public accounting. He became a partner at the major accounting firm Ernst & Young, where he led the public sector audit practice in Quebec. His expertise was further recognized through roles such as Chairman of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants and President of the Ordre des comptables agréés du Québec. These positions involved close work with institutions like the Canada Revenue Agency and the Department of Finance, shaping national accounting standards.

Auditor General of Quebec

Appointed by the National Assembly of Quebec in 2004, Lachance served as the Auditor General of Quebec for two terms, succeeding Guy Breton. His office produced influential reports scrutinizing the finances of entities like Hydro-Québec, the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux, and the Ministère de l'Éducation. Key audits examined the election finances, the Montreal municipal pension plan, and the management of the James Bay Project. His work often informed debates in the National Assembly and led to reforms in the Quebec Public Service.

Later career and other activities

After completing his term in 2012, Lachance transitioned into roles in corporate governance and academia. He was appointed to the Board of Directors of several major organizations, including Laurentian Bank of Canada, SSQ Financial Group, and Loto-Québec. He also served as the Ombudsman for the Autorité des marchés financiers. In academia, he joined the faculty of Université Laval and the École nationale d'administration publique. His continued public service includes presiding over the Commission d’enquête sur l’octroi et la gestion des contrats publics dans l’industrie de la construction.

Personal life

Renaud Lachance maintains a relatively private personal life. He is known to reside in the Quebec City area. His professional recognitions include being named a Fellow of the Ordre des comptables agréés du Québec and receiving the Médaille de l'Assemblée nationale. He has been involved with cultural institutions such as the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec and the Opéra de Québec.

Category:Canadian accountants Category:Auditors General of Quebec Category:Universite Laval alumni Category:Harvard Business School alumni