Sherbrooke, May 11, 2026 - In the presence of Quebec Liberal Party leader Charles Milliard, Brome-Missisquoi MNA Frédéric Beauchemin and local activists, Pierre Cossette was officially nominated as the QLP candidate in the Sherbrooke riding.
After beginning his career as a physician and teacher, and spending many years as a manager in hospitals and universities, Pierre Cossette is entering provincial politics as a member of the Quebec Liberal Party. After earning a doctorate in medicine from the Université de Montréal in 1991, he pursued postdoctoral studies in internal medicine at the Université de Sherbrooke, completing them in 1995. He also obtained a Master's degree in Epidemiology and Biostatistics from McGill University in 1999. In 1997, he became a professor in the Department of Medicine, before rising through the Faculty's administrative ranks to become Dean in 2010.
An avid supporter of development and innovation within his organization, Pierre Cossette led the Université de Sherbrooke's Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences to undertake a complete overhaul of the medical program, create a clinical simulation laboratory in cooperation with the CHUS, and develop the first cooperative nursing program in Quebec.
In 2017, he became Rector of the Université de Sherbrooke, a position he will hold until 2025. Under his leadership, thanks to the work of mobilized and committed teams, the university doubles its research revenues and implements a partnership strategy that will contribute to the development of nearly 500 research and innovation projects involving students, mainly with SMEs and the Quebec community. UdeS is also distinguished by the highest rating ever awarded in the world in the STARS sustainable development ranking.
Mr. Cossette's commitment has been recognized on numerous occasions. In 2008, he received the Grand Prix from the Board of Directors of the Centre hospitalier universitaire de Sherbrooke (CHUS), as well as the Prix Leadership from the Association québécoise des établissements de santé et de services sociaux in 2009. He was named a Knight of the Ordre national du Québec in June 2024. Earlier this year, in February 2026, he was named Chevalier de l'Ordre des Palmes académiques de la France. These recognitions illustrate the impact of his leadership in the fields of healthcare, science, research and higher education.
"Drawing on my career in medicine and my experience as a manager in hospitals and universities, I decided to pursue my commitment to the development of my community by getting involved in provincial politics, under the leadership of Charles Milliard. As a resident of the region for over thirty years, I know the people who live here and the issues that concern them. I am also aware of Sherbrooke's considerable potential, and I hope that, if the population places its trust in me, I will be able to contribute concrete ideas and proposals to the development of our community and of Quebec as a whole. It is with great enthusiasm that I embark on this adventure!
- Pierre Cossette, QLP candidate in Sherbrooke
"Pierre Cossette's arrival is great news for the Estrie region, which will be able to express itself strongly with the Quebec Liberal Party. Pierre's candidacy fits perfectly with our desire to find innovative solutions to the challenges facing our society, and to improve public services in Quebec, particularly in health and education. His experience and knowledge of local players make him the ideal candidate to represent the colors of the Quebec Liberal Party in the riding of Sherbrooke."
- Charles Milliard, Leader of the Quebec Liberal Party
