Bruno Marchand

Youth and Influences

Bruno Marchand's parents are very Catholic, and put into practice the values of their Christian faith. His mother was often involved in liturgical activities in her parish. She is an inspiration to her son. Her neighbor often advised her not to sweep the front of her building since the city employees would do that, to which she replied: “I am The City.” This commitment to the community is second nature to the Marchands.

One time when he was in elementary school, a lunchtime activity was organized: students exchanged lunches. This was the moment Marchand became aware of poverty. He was confronted with the reality of some of his classmates ― social inequalities were becoming a reality for him. While visiting his childhood neighbourhood of Limoilou, he would later tell a journalist that many people suffered from financial difficulties. He saw things at this age that had a lasting impression on him: “In the neighbourhood, there were people who didn't eat three meals a day.”

Marchand continued to live in Limoilou into his early twenties. Certain places have strongly influenced him, and he identifies himself as a "child of the patro." Patro Roc-Amadour is a community center that organizes various leisure activities for the neighbourhood's most vulnerable members. The organization focuses on developing each individual's strengths. The values of mutual aid and inclusiveness are emphasized.

Its environment taught him to help others, to listen, to respect others, to have integrity and to have a deep-seated desire to improve himself.

Roadmap

In 1995, Bruno Marchand graduated from Université Laval with a degree in philosophy. In 1998, he completed a technical diploma in social work at Cégep de Sainte-Foy. From 1999 to 2008, he was the coordinator and student life advisor at the same CEGEP. He also received leadership training from the Ivey School of Business at Western University in London, Ontario.

After working at Cégep de Sainte-Foy, Marchand became President and CEO of Centraide [United Way] Québec, Chaudière-Appalaches et Bas-Saint-Laurent branch from 2014 to 2021. Previously, he had served on the organization's Board of Directors as a member and Chairman from 2003 to 2013. He also worked for the Association québécoise de prévention du suicide from 2008 to 2014. In 2020, under his leadership, the Centraide fundraising campaign reached a record $17 million. Since his arrival in 2014, the organization has received an increase in donations of over 35 per cent.

In 2014, he received a Tribute Award from the Association québécoise de prévention du suicide. At the same time, since 2008, Marchand has held hundreds of conferences for all sectors of Quebec City's socio-economic community.

Municipal Politics

Municipal Elections 2021

In the November 2021 elections, Bruno Marchand took the leap into municipal politics. His new political party, Québec Forte et Fière, set out five objectives for Quebec City on which it would base its post-pandemic program:

1. "strong, lively and diverse neighbourhoods;
2. positive leadership;
3. a vigorous and ambitious post-COVID economic recovery;
4. a resilient, green and caring city for all;
5. efficient and rigorous management of the city's finances and services".

Municipal elections were held across Quebec on 7 November 2021. It was one of the tightest battles for mayor of Quebec City. On the eve of the election, polls showed the two main frontrunners neck-and-neck.

Election night was memorable due to its improbable twists and turns. Barely 14 minutes after the start of the vote count, the main TV broadcasters announced Marie-Josée Savard's victory over Marchand. Advance voting ballots gave her a healthy 39 per cent lead. Marie-Josée Savard and her team delivered the victory speech. But as the evening wore on, the gap in votes gradually began to decrease. At 10:07 p.m., the TVA network (see Québecor Inc) withdrew its victory prediction. At 10:40 pm, Marchand overtook his rival. Against all odds, he was elected mayor by a margin of 739 votes.

Mayor of Quebec City

As mayor of Quebec City, Bruno Marchand supported the construction of a tramway. However, he faced opposition and difficulties. He criticized the Quebec government for interfering in his jurisdiction and for delaying the project. Finally, the mandate to build the tramway was withdrawn from the city in favour of the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec.

Like many other municipalities, Quebec City is facing issues of homelessness and housing crisis. To facilitate the construction of new housing projects, Marchand and the City of Quebec have allowed certain exemptions from urban planning regulations.

In the 2025 municipal elections, Marchand won a strong mandate, receiving more than 49 per cent of the vote, with about 55,802 more votes than his opponent in second place, Stéphane Lachance. Marchand's party, Québec Forte et Fière, also won 18 of the 21 municipal council districts.

Awards and Distinctions

• Tribute Award from the Association québécoise de prévention du suicide (2014)
• Michael Sheehan Award for his contribution to suicide prevention (2014)
• United Way of Canada President's Award for Innovation (2017)