Nicolas Plourde

Biography

Nicolas Plourde grew up in Cartierville, in northern Montreal. He now lives with his partner, Ann-Marie, and is the father of three children. His parents, both teachers, instilled in him the importance of education, the French language, and active participation in Quebec society.

These values became evident very early in his career. While studying law at the University of Montreal, Nicolas became secretary-general of the Federation of Student Associations of the University of Montreal Campus (FAÉCUM), and later president of the Quebec University Student Federation (FÉUQ). Deeply involved in the student movement, he advocated for access to higher education and brought students’ voices all the way to the National Assembly.

A law graduate of the University of Montreal who was admitted to the Quebec Bar in 1993, Nicolas has built a practice in civil and commercial litigation. Throughout his career, he has assisted individuals and organizations facing disputes and complex situations. He is known for his thoroughness, sound judgment, and ability to bring parties together to find practical and lasting solutions.

His career has led him to hold positions of significant responsibility within the legal profession. After serving as president of the Young Bar of Montreal, he became president of the Montreal Bar Association, and then president of the Quebec Bar Association in 2012. In these roles, he contributed to protecting the public, improving access to justice, and advancing the legal profession.

In 2013, upon completing his term as President of the Quebec Bar Association, he co-founded the law firm Sarrazin Plourde, which he helped grow and which now employs about twenty professionals. This experience has given him practical knowledge of managing an organization, developing a team, and the responsibilities that come with being an employer.

He subsequently continued his national-level involvement by serving as president of the Federation of Law Societies of Canada, which brings together the law societies responsible for regulating the legal profession across the country.

Beyond his titles, a single concern has run through his career: making justice more accessible, more understandable, and closer to citizens. As a founding director of Justice Pro Bono, Nicolas also helped establish the Greater Montreal Community Justice Center and the Montreal Bar Association’s On-Call Lawyers Service. He is also an advocate for improved access to legal aid.

His commitment goes far beyond the law. For nearly eight years, Nicolas served as president of the Fondation de l’Accueil Bonneau, an organization dedicated to supporting people who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless. He served for more than ten years on the board of directors of Special Olympics Québec, which promotes the inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities through sports, and then for six years on the board of Moulin Microcrédits, which helps skilled immigrants pursue their professional goals in Canada. These commitments reflect his dedication to dignity, inclusion, and the opportunity for everyone to take their rightful place in Quebec society.

A member of the Quebec Liberal Party for more than ten years, Nicolas has served on the party’s National Executive Committee and acted as chief election officer during the two most recent leadership races—a role that requires impartiality, rigor, and adherence to the rules.

Nicolas has always viewed political engagement as one of the most direct ways to bring about positive change. After serving in student, legal, and community circles, he believes the time has come to put his experience fully to work in public service.

As the Quebec Liberal Party candidate in Anjou–Louis-Riel, he wants to reach out to citizens, understand their priorities, and work with them to advance the issues that affect their daily lives. He aims to offer them an attentive presence, a strong voice, and a genuine ability to bring people together and take action.