Françoise Bertrand

Françoise Bertrand, one of Canada’s most accomplished board chairs and governance leaders, for a focused conversation on Crown corporation governance versus widely held public company governance.

With more than 40 years of experience as a senior executive, board director, and chair, Françoise brings a rare dual perspective. She recently stepped down after eight years as Chair of VIA Rail Canada, a federal Crown corporation operating under intense public scrutiny, political oversight, and regulatory complexity. She also spent 11 years on the board of Québecor, serving as Chair for the final three years, giving her deep experience in shareholder-driven, market-facing governance.

Drawing on leadership roles that include President and CEO of Télé-Québec, Chair of the CRTC, President and CEO of the Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec, and advisory work across multiple federal institutions, Françoise offers practical insight into how governance responsibilities shift across public-interest mandates, regulatory environments, and capital structures.