Jacques Tanguay

Jacques Tanguay is a visionary entrepreneur and influential leader with a notable track record of success in business and in community engagement. His exemplary journey strikes a balance between professional achievement and social responsibility.

Armed with a diploma in business administration from Université de Moncton and in accounting from Université Laval, Mr. Tanquay led Ameublements Tanguay for over 40 years. He transformed this family business into a major player in the retail industry, while also expanding into real estate and hospitality through Groupe immobilier Tanguay and Gestion hôtelière Jacques Tanguay.

Jacques is a man of deep commitment and strong convictions, and he has made a lasting impact on university sports as founder of the Rouge et Or football team, and its President since 1994. Under his leadership, the team has won 12 Vanier Cup national championships, placing Université Laval among the most prestigious programs in Canada. He has built a culture of excellence that has attracted top-level student athletes and shaped a unique model where athletic prowess and academic achievement go hand in hand.

A pillar of amateur sports, he has also played a key role in the rise of junior hockey in Québec. As co-owner and president, he led Remparts de Québec to Memorial Cup victories in 2006 and 2023. His influence now extends internationally, as he is also co-owner of Boxers de Bordeaux in France.

His commitment to philanthropy led him to create Maurice-Tanguay Foundation in 1990, an organization that transforms the lives of thousands of at-risk children and families through community-focused initiatives and major charity events. Mr. Tanquay is widely recognized for his generosity and community involvement and has received numerous distinctions, including induction into the Order of Canada in 2014.

Today he has the privilege of working alongside his three sons: Charles, President of Tanguay; Olivier, Executive Director of the Maurice-Tanguay Foundation; and Alexandre, owner of various businesses, including the Océanic de Rimouski hockey team.

Université Laval is proud to award an honorary doctorate to Jacques Tanguay in recognition of his unwavering community commitment, his strong influence on both the business and sports worlds, and his exemplary philanthropic legacy.