Hugo-Pierre (HP) is a partner in the Business Law Group of our Montréal office. His practice is largely focused on M&A, corporate finance, joint ventures and strategic business transactions.
He serves clients from various industries and sizes including pension & sovereign funds, private equity players, emerging and high growth companies, multinationals, listed issuers, as well as technology, pharmaceutical, food & health product, entertainment and electric vehicle (EV) related businesses.
HP also regularly advises private and public sector pension plans in their direct and indirect investment activity in Canada and abroad, and is a key contact in our eMobility and EV supply chain practices having represented in 2023 SK On CO., Ltd. in an $1.2 billion investment with Ford and EcoPro BM to build a cathode active materials (CAM) manufacturing facility in Bécancour, Québec.
Over the course of his career, HP has led numerous marquee mandates, including working two years in a row on the biggest private equity buyout deals in Canada’s history, namely the $5.2 billion recapitalization of GardaWorld by BC Partners in 2019 (Lexpert’s 2020 Private Equity Deal of the Year), the $5.125 billion recapitalization of GFL Environmental led by BC Partners and Teachers in 2018, and the launch of QuadReal Property Group in 2015-2018. HP also has significant experience in large corporate debt and equity restructurings, including the Cirque du Soleil and Homburg Invest CCAA proceedings and the Aveos out-of-court workout.
Recognized as a Lexpert Rising Star in 2021 and by Best Lawyers Canada in Corporate law and M&A in 2024 and 2025, HP has co-authored and continually updates since 2009 a chapter on M&A in a Québec-based legal work (JurisClasseur: Droit des sociétés, LexisNexis). He also presents on developments and trends in the corporate landscape. HP obtained a Certificate in Mining Law from the Osgoode Hall Law School of York University, a professional training program designed to provide practical knowledge and skills on the resolution of complex ownership, regulatory, contractual, environmental and legal issues arising in the mining industry. HP previously practiced as a foreign counsel at a leading Brazilian firm, where his practice was focused on project finance within the mining, oil and gas and infrastructure industries.
Representative Work
- Exosens
Exosens in its acquisition of LR Tech
- A significant shareholder
A selling shareholder in Newen Studios’ acquisition of Johnson Production Group
- Parity Inc.
Parity Inc. in its securing of $25 million of Series B Funding
- Parity Inc.
Parity Inc. in its closing of a US$4 million loan facility from NY Green Bank
- SK On
SK On in connection with an $1.2 billion investment with Ford and EcoPro BM in the Province of Québec
- Russell Reynolds Associates
Russell Reynolds Associates in its acquisition of Kilberry
- Photonis Group
Photonis Group in its agreement to acquire Telops
- Lavergne Industries Inc.
Lavergne Industries Inc. in its connection with a $20 million investment from Fondaction
- Nichi-Iko Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd
Nichi-Iko Pharmaceutical Co. in its US$ 100 million sale to Ellimist Singapore Pte. Ltd.
- Parity Inc.
Parity in its $8 million financing from strategic investors
- Bailey International
Bailey International in connection with its acquisition of Hydrolico International
- Advanced Personnel Management
Advanced Personnel Management in their A$972 million IPO and listing on the ASX
- IVC Nutrition Corporation
IVC Nutrition Corporation in its acquisition of Vita Health Products Inc.
- A+E Networks
A+E Networks acquisition of a 35% stake in Reel One Entertainment
- TRC Companies Inc.
TRC in its acquisition of Quatric
- ArcelorMittal
ArcelorMittal Long Products Canada in its joint venture with Triple M Metal
- TPG
TPG in its submission of a stalking horse bid for Cirque du Soleil’s assets in partnership with Fosun, Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec and Investissement Québec
- Madison Dearborn Partners
Madison Dearborn Partners in its acquisition of the APM Group International
- BC Partners
BC Partners in the $5.2 billion recapitalization of GardaWorld
- Smooch Technologies Holding ULC
Smooch Technologies Holdings ULC in its acquisition by Zendesk, Inc.
- Vervent Audio Group
Vervent Audio Group in its acquisition of Audio Plus Services & Plurison
- Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec
Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec in its $200 million investment in Plusgrade
- Scientific Games Corporation
Scientific Games Corporation in its acquisition of Don Best Sports
- Sphinx Resources Ltd.
Sphinx Resources Ltd. in the creation of a new gold exploration company, Québec Precious Metals Corporation, and strategic investment by Goldcorp in such company
- Investors led by BC Partners and Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan
Investors led by BC Partners and Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan in the $5.125 billion recapitalization of GFL Environmental Inc.
Exosens in its acquisition of LR Tech
A selling shareholder in Newen Studios’ acquisition of Johnson Production Group
Parity Inc. in its securing of $25 million of Series B Funding
Parity Inc. in its closing of a US$4 million loan facility from NY Green Bank
SK On in connection with an $1.2 billion investment with Ford and EcoPro BM in the Province of Québec
- Russell Reynolds Associates
Russell Reynolds Associates in its acquisition of Kilberry
- Photonis Group
Photonis Group in its agreement to acquire Telops
- Lavergne Industries Inc.
Lavergne Industries Inc. in its connection with a $20 million investment from Fondaction
- Nichi-Iko Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd
Nichi-Iko Pharmaceutical Co. in its US$ 100 million sale to Ellimist Singapore Pte. Ltd.
- Parity Inc.
Parity in its $8 million financing from strategic investors
- Bailey International
Bailey International in connection with its acquisition of Hydrolico International
- Advanced Personnel Management
Advanced Personnel Management in their A$972 million IPO and listing on the ASX
- IVC Nutrition Corporation
IVC Nutrition Corporation in its acquisition of Vita Health Products Inc.
- A+E Networks
A+E Networks acquisition of a 35% stake in Reel One Entertainment
- TRC Companies Inc.
TRC in its acquisition of Quatric
- ArcelorMittal
ArcelorMittal Long Products Canada in its joint venture with Triple M Metal
- TPG
TPG in its submission of a stalking horse bid for Cirque du Soleil’s assets in partnership with Fosun, Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec and Investissement Québec
- Madison Dearborn Partners
Madison Dearborn Partners in its acquisition of the APM Group International
- BC Partners
BC Partners in the $5.2 billion recapitalization of GardaWorld
- Smooch Technologies Holding ULC
Smooch Technologies Holdings ULC in its acquisition by Zendesk, Inc.
- Vervent Audio Group
Vervent Audio Group in its acquisition of Audio Plus Services & Plurison
- Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec
Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec in its $200 million investment in Plusgrade
- Scientific Games Corporation
Scientific Games Corporation in its acquisition of Don Best Sports
- Sphinx Resources Ltd.
Sphinx Resources Ltd. in the creation of a new gold exploration company, Québec Precious Metals Corporation, and strategic investment by Goldcorp in such company
- Investors led by BC Partners and Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan
Investors led by BC Partners and Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan in the $5.125 billion recapitalization of GFL Environmental Inc.
Latest Insights
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Osler Update Jul 18, 2024
Corporate transparency registers: what private companies need to know as requirements get stricter across Canada
Requirements for private companies to disclose corporate ownership information on “transparency registers” have swept across Canada. We explain...
Read more
-
Report Feb 1, 2024
Guide to Doing Business in Québec
Québec is Canada’s largest province by geography and its second most populous province. Québec’s strategic location offers unique...
Read more -
Osler Update Dec 11, 2023
Canada emerging as a powerhouse in the global EV supply chain
Ambitious goals to decarbonize the economy, combined with global geopolitical dynamics.
Read more -
Osler Update Dec 11, 2023
Impact of transparency register requirements on financial sponsors
In recent years, new requirements for private companies to disclose corporate ownership information have proliferated across Canada.
Read more
Awards and Recognition
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Recognized in Corporate Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law (2024-2025)
—Best Lawyers in Canada -
Recognized in Finance and M&A (2022)
—Lexpert Special Edition -
Recognized as a Rising Star (2021)
—Lexpert Rising Stars
Media Mentions
-
Osler News Nov 25, 2021
Hugo-Pierre Gagnon, Emily MacKinnon and Jennifer Thompson named 2021 Lexpert Rising Stars
Osler is proud to announce that Hugo-Pierre Gagnon, Emily MacKinnon and Jennifer Thompson have been recognized as Lexpert Rising Stars: Leading...
Read more
Community Involvement
- Volunteer Coach, Québec Tech (formerly Startup Montréal and Montréal Inc.)
- Co-president of Centraide Fundraising Campaign of the Montréal office, since 2019
Speaking and Writing
Speaking Engagements
Les étapes d’un contrat : droit civil vs common law (in French only)
Speaker, Montréal, Friday, October 18, 2019
Les différentes étapes du processus contractuel – Quelques distinctions importantes entre droit civil et common law (in French only)
Speaker, Montréal, June 6, 2018
Published Work
Quoted in Will three be the charm? Quebec makes third attempt to amend mining law, Financial Post, National Post, July 31, 2013.
Quoted in Pushing for Plan Nord, Canadian Lawyer, September 2012.
Robert Yalden and Hugo-Pierre Gagnon : « Fusion et acquisition d’une société par actions » in Stéphane Rousseau, dir., JurisClasseur Québec – Collection Droit des affaires – Droit des sociétés, Montréal, LexisNexis, 17/1.
Credentials
Education
- McGill University, LL.M. (Institute of Comparative Law)
- University of Ottawa, LL.L. (summa cum laude)
- Osgoode Hall Law School (Certificate in Mining Law)
Languages
- English
- French
Professional Affiliations
- Barreau du Québec
- Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montréal
