Claudine Bouchard named new CEO of Hydro-Quebec

Claudine Bouchard. (Source: Hydro-Quebec)

The Quebec government has announced Claudine Bouchard as the new president and CEO of Hydro-Quebec.

Bouchard, who started working at Hydro-Quebec more than 25 years ago in the call centre, replaces Michael Sabia, who is stepping down from the role to lead Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Privy Council Office in Ottawa. Sabia had only been the Quebec Crown corporation’s head boss since 2023.

A Hydro-Quebec veteran, Bouchard has been the executive vice-president and Chief Operating and Infrastructure Officer since 2023 and oversees the Société d’énergie de la Baie James, a subsidiary that offers services in generation and transmission plant engineering, project management and construction.

She takes on her new role as CEO on July 5 after the board of directors recommended her as Sabia’s successor.

In a press release, the provincial government described her as a “visionary and strategic leader” who helped steer the modernization of the power utility for several years. Economy Minister Christine Frechette welcomed the news, highlighting how she helped spearhead a plan that led to a reduction of power outages by 50 per cent last year.

Citing new wind power projects throughout Quebec and the “historic” energy agreement with Newfoundland and Labrador, Premier François Legault said Hydro-Quebec needs “strong leadership that is capable of delivering results.”

“Claudine Bouchard knows the Crown corporation very well. She has demonstrated that she knows how to get things done, bring teams together and lead concrete transformations. I am convinced that she has everything it takes to lead Hydro-Québec in this new phase of its development,” Legault said in a statement.

Bouchard also said she was “honoured” to be appointed.

“It is a great privilege to lead this company, which has had such a profound impact on Quebec’s history and will play a key role in its development in the coming decades,” she said.