Quebec has appointed Jérôme Dupras as the province's new chief scientist, officials said on June 5, 2026 [1].
The appointment merges high-profile cultural influence with academic expertise to shape the province's approach to scientific governance and environmental sustainability.
Dupras is recognized as the bassist for the band Les Cowboys Fringants, but he also holds a professional background as a professor of ecological economics [1, 2]. The provincial government selected Dupras to leverage this specific academic expertise to develop and guide government science policy [2].
His role will involve bridging the gap between scientific research and legislative action. By focusing on ecological economics, Dupras is expected to integrate environmental costs, and benefits into the province's broader economic and scientific frameworks [1, 2].
The announcement in Montreal marks a strategic move by the Quebec government to bring a multidisciplinary perspective to its top scientific office [1]. While his musical career has made him a public figure, his primary mandate in this role is the administration of scientific strategy and policy development [2].
Quebec's chief scientist serves as a primary advisor to the government, ensuring that evidence-based research informs public policy decisions. Dupras will now lead these efforts, focusing on the intersection of science and economic sustainability [1, 2].
“Quebec has appointed Jérôme Dupras as the province's new chief scientist”
The appointment of a professor of ecological economics to the role of chief scientist suggests that Quebec is prioritizing a 'green' transition in its policy-making. By selecting a figure who is both an academic and a cultural icon, the government may be attempting to increase public engagement and trust in scientific initiatives related to climate change and economic sustainability.
