Canada Council for the Arts Announces New Board Chair Appointment

Pierre Lassonde / Photo via Canada Council for the Arts

On July 30, 2015 the Canada Council for the Arts announced the appointment of businessman and philanthropist Pierre Lassonde as the new chair of its board of directors, effective immediately. 

Lassonde was selected after a comprehensive search, following the death of Canada Council's former chair Joseph L. Rotman in January. 

Lassonde's career in Canada and the US has spanned 30 years. In 1982 he co-founded the Franco-Nevada Mining Corporation, the first publicly traded gold company, which merged with Newmount Mining Corp in 2002 to become the world's largest mining company. He has served as chairman of the board of the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec (MNBAQ) since 2006, and is a highly active and engaged philanthropist, particularly in the fields of arts, education and community development.

In recognition of his accomplishments, Lassonde was made a Member of the Order of Canada in 2002 and an Officer of the Order of Quebec in 2008.

The Canada Council board chair appointment is a 5-year term. 

For more on the Canada Council for the Arts, visit http://canadacouncil.ca/.