Marc-André Blanchard: A Commitment to Community

Photographer: Shawn McPherson

Photographer: Shawn McPherson

Blanchard with his wife Monique and sons Laurent and Adrian at their new home in Toronto.

McCarthy Tétrault carries considerable philanthropic clout in the sector. The firm's foundation awards United Way $300,000 every year. Their annual employee campaign is also going strong. To date the firm has increased the participation of its Associates from 28% to 48%—an incredible leap in a sector that has encountered challenges in engaging its younger employees. In addition to its strong commitment to United Way, McCarthy Tétrault inspires philanthropy in its staff through generous programs that include a day off each year for staff who want to volunteer and opportunities to do pro bono work inside and outside of Canada.

Marc-André Blanchard apologizes for arriving late to our meeting. We were scheduled to meet at 12:00 Noon and it's 12:02 p.m. when he strides into the reception area of McCarthy Tétrault's Toronto office. This is a man who takes his commitments seriously.

Blanchard assumed the helm at Canada's first national law firm in January, moving his wife and two sons from Montreal to Toronto. "We have more good days than bad days," he admits when asked how he and his family are adjusting to life in Toronto. Blanchard and his family were deeply involved in the Montreal community. The move to Toronto signalled a big change in their lives. As former president of the Quebec Liberal Party, a popular managing partner at McCarthy Tétrault, and member of the Montreal Board of Trade, among other contributions, Blanchard was a busy man. His wife, Monique, a former lawyer herself, is daughter of the influential Claude Ryan—the former publisher of the French newspaper, Le Devoir, and a leader of the Quebec Liberal Party himself.

"I believe community service and engagement are of the highest importance..."

Since arriving in Toronto, Blanchard admits they're taking their first year in a new city to look around and decide what comes next. Monique has enrolled in a course at the University of Toronto in literature, but beyond that, their commitments are few—but likely not for long.

"I believe community service and engagement are of the highest importance," says Blanchard. "Because of McCarthy Tétrault's commitment to United Way, I've already been out on an agency tour and look forward to getting more involved." For Blanchard, as a former politician, the appeal of United Way is the organization's deep understanding of the city and what the needs are.

"It's very different from what many others are doing. It isn't just about raising money, but about understanding the root causes and working on solutions. I like that from a policy development perspective."

This commitment, combined with his history of volunteering, inspires Blanchard to engender the same in his sons—12 year-old Adrian and 11 year-old Laurent. "I want them to see what's really happening in our community and realize that everyone has a role to play and can make a contribution."