Collaborators

Founder and President of companies in the forestry sector

Honorary Doctorate in Wood and Forest Sciences
Major Achievements - Awards and Distinctions

Guy Deschênes is the co-founder and former president of Boisaco from 1985 to 2006. Boisaco is a significant Quebec sawmill located in an industrial complex in Sacré-Cœur. It is distinguished by its cooperative business model, in which the community and workers are shareholders. Boisaco produces lumber for the Canadian and American markets. At the same time, the by-products generated by the sawing process feed three other companies focused on the valorization of wood residues: SACOPAN – manufacturer of embossed door panels (a partner of Corepan-Bois); Ripco – manufacturer of equestrian bedding and Granulco – manufacturer of eco-energy pellets. Since its inception in 1985, the Boisaco group has acquired other businesses and established new partnerships, always aiming to utilize forest resources better and promote job creation and regional development. Thanks to Mr. Deschênes' visionary, community-driven, and innovative spirit, Boisaco has emerged as a unique circular economy model based on the three pillars of sustainable development: economic, social, and environmental.

Mr. Deschênes is known for his innovation in the forestry sector and his commitment to socio-economic development and environmental responsibility. He has formed partnerships with various stakeholders in the forestry sector and co-founded several businesses and development organizations, including the Council of the Quebec Forest Industry.

His achievements in the forestry sector have been recognized with numerous awards and distinctions, including the Henri-Gustave-Joly-de-Lotbinière Award from the Ordre des ingénieurs forestiers du Québec (OIFQ), the Commemorative Medal for the 125^th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada, the Order of Merit of Quebec's Cooperative and Mutualism, and an honorary doctorate from Université Laval.

Areas of expertise

• Strategic development
• Management and administration
• Business project development