Marcel Laurin's successor as Mayor of Saint-Laurent, Dr Bernard Paquet, became mayor in 1990. He successfully pursued the efforts of his predecessor until December 31 2001, after which Saint-Laurent became one of the 27 boroughs of the new City of Montréal. Born in Windsor in the Eastern Townships on July 2, 1932, he completed classical studies at collège de Saint-Laurent and earned PhD in medicine from Université de Montréal. A volunteer at the Notre-Dame-de-l'Espérance Hospital from 1959, he then headed the Centre's professional departments for more than 21 years (1971 to 1992). In 1983 he became President of the Association des directeurs de services professionnels du Quebec.

Dr Bernard Paquet

Municipal Councillor for Laval District from 1982 to 1990 and member of the Executive Committee from 1990 to 2001, Bernard Paquet was a mayor who also held many other positions. His different roles included his positions as member of the Executive Committee of the Régie intermunicipale en gestion des déchets de l'île de Montréal and of the Montréal Urban Community's Economic Development Commission. Dr Paquet is also involved with community organizations, serving as member of the Board of Directors for the Fondation du  centre hospitalier de Saint-Laurent and of the Chambre de commerce de Saint-Laurent. He was also elected to the new Montreal Metropolitan Community (MMC). Saint-Laurent thrived and expanded under his leadership. Its population increased, new residential projects emerged (Bois-Franc, Nouveau Saint-Laurent), a new Centre des loisirs was built, infrastructure networks were consolidated, economic and industrial development were achieved, and the Technoparc was builted. Saint-Laurent is ranked at 2nd most important industrail pole in Quebec and the capital of high-technology industries in Canada.

Comité consultatif d'urbanisme Bernard Paquet in 1997

In 1997, Dr Paquet received the Maire entrepreneur par excellence award from the Fondation de l'entrepreneurship for his contribution to the economic and social development of Ville de Saint-Laurent.

Bernard Paquet also invested a great deal of energy in preserving harmony in the Saint-Laurent community, whose population is made up of 166 cultural backgrounds. Concerned by culture and impassioned by art, he accomplished a great deal for the Musée d'art de Saint-Laurent, and on several occasions, including in 2002, he was named Grand bienfaiteur du Musée.

Dr Paquet withdrew from public life to spend more time with his family after more than 42 years of dedication to his fellow citizens.

In June 2002, he received the Ordre des Grands Laurentiens in the Citizens category. The committee accepted his nomination in recognition of everything he accomplished for the people of Saint-Laurent.