The Aluminium Association of Canada strives to ensure that Canada’s primary aluminium industry is recognized as a world-class model of sustainable prosperity
Founded in 1990, the Aluminium Association of Canada (AAC) brings together Canada’s three aluminium primary producers, Alcoa, Aluminerie Alouette and Rio Tinto. A non-profit organization, it represents the Canadian primary aluminium industry towards the population, public authorities, aluminium users, and key environmental and economic stakeholders.
Mission
Ensure the sustainability of Canadian responsibly produced primary aluminium and maintain its international leadership position.
Vision
By 2030, the Canadian aluminium industry will impose itself in end-use markets and with investors through the added value of its low-carbon responsibly produced aluminium.
Members
AAC members are world-class low-carbon responsibly-produced primary aluminium producers. They export to international markets, including the United States. Producers' operations are primarily located regionally.
Board of directors
The Aluminium Association of Canada is directed by a Board of Directors made up of representatives of member companies. Within a framework of sound governance, the Directors ensure the respect of the Association’s mission for the industry.
Sébastien Ross
Chairman of the AAC Board of Directors
Managing Director, Atlantic operations, Aluminium
Rio Tinto
Sébastien Ross joined the Rio Tinto Aluminium leadership team on October 9, 2018. He has accumulated over 25 years of varied experience in operations, including as a plant manager in the automotive sector and the vice-president of operations in the office furniture and transport equipment manufacturing sectors.
An industrial engineer by profession and graduate in engineering management, Sébastien was only 28 years old when he started his career in management. Throughout the years, he has held various positions that have enhanced his knowledge and developed his expertise in operations, marketing, product development and business unit management.
For many years, he worked for Bombardier Transportation’s Auto Body product group, where he was responsible for five manufacturing plants and three industrialisation sites with 4,500 employees in six different countries. After travelling all around the world for his career, from Rimouski to the United States and Germany, Sébastien returned to Quebec to join Rio Tinto Aluminium, Atlantic Operations.
Gaby Poirier
Regional Vice-President, North America Operations
Vice-President, Global Transformation
President Alcoa Canada
Gaby Poirier joined Alcoa on October 1, 2022, in the role of Regional Vice President – North America Operations. Based in Pittsburgh, Gaby oversees the operations within Canada and the US. He is a key member of the Operations Leadership Team, providing leadership to our operations in the North American region.
Originally from Quebec, he brings extensive international experience having worked in senior leadership roles in Canada, US, Europe, and Australia where he has developed a deep integrated operational background in diverse commodities such as aluminum, iron ore and copper.
Prior to joining Alcoa, Poirier worked for Rio Tinto for 20 years. Between 2020 and 2022, he was Managing Director of Kennecott copper mining and smelting complex in Salt Lake City, USA. From 2017 to 2020, he served as General Manager of the Greater Hope Downs joint venture in Perth, Australia, part of Rio Tinto’s Iron Ore Product Group. He also served as General Manager of the Dunkerque smelter in France, from 2016 to 2017, as well as General Manager of the Kitimat smelter in British Columbia, between 2013 and 2016. Previously, Gaby occupied management roles at Kentucky’s Sebree smelter, as well as Alma and Arvida smelters in Quebec’s Saguenay region.
He was a member of the Board of Directors of the Salt Lake Chamber, as well as the Copper Development Association and the Copper Club, until 2022. He was recently nominated to the US Aluminum Association Board of Directors as well as on board’s Executive committee. He is also a board member of the Alcoa Foundation.
He holds a bachelor’s and master’s degrees in chemical engineering, an MBA in Finance and is a certified Lean/Six Sigma black belt. He also completed the General Management Program – Executive Education at Harvard Business School.
Claude Gosselin
President and CEO
Aluminerie Alouette
Claude Gosselin is originally from the North Shore and obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Relations in 1991. He began his career at Aluminerie Alouette as a compensation and benefits advisor, before being successively promoted to supervisor, operations superintendent, and director of personnel and training.
From 2005 to 2015, he held the positions of Vice President of Human Resources and Corporate Affairs, and then Vice President of Operations and Maintenance. With his experience in production and administration, Mr. Gosselin has a thorough knowledge of management in the aluminum industry, where he has accumulated more than 25 years of experience.
From 2016 to 2020, he broadened his expertise by working as a senior manager in biomass, construction, and industrial maintenance in other regions of Quebec.
In 2021, he returned to Aluminerie Alouette as President and CEO. With this experience, Mr. Gosselin is recognized for his qualities as a unifying and visionary leader.
Team
The Aluminium Association of Canada relies on a team of industry-linked professionals who support and assist members in their development.
Jean Simard
President and CEO
Aluminium Association of Canada
As President and Chief Executive Officer of the Aluminium Association of Canada (AAC) since 2009, Jean Simard is the industry’s official representative and spokesperson with governments, business associations and the media, as well as with international organizations linked to the industry.
Mr. Simard holds a degree in Civil Law from the University of Ottawa, and is a member of the Barreau du Québec. He possesses extensive professional experience in public and government relations, mainly in sustainable development, energy and environmental affairs. Prior to joining the AAC, he was Vice-President Sustainable Development, Public and Governmental Affairs, at Gaz Métro, a Quebec-based energy company.
Mr. Simard represents the AAC at the International Aluminium Institute (IAI) and at the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI). He is a member of the Board of Directors and of the Executive Committee of the Quebec Industrial Aluminium Cluster (AluQuébec), as well as a member of the Board (Treasurer) of the Conseil patronal de l’environnement du Québec (CPEQ). Co-founder and member of the Board and Steering committee of SWITCH, the Alliance for a greener economy, he is one of the Leaders of the Canadian Smart Prosperity initiative. He is a member of the Advisory Council of the Canadian Institute for Climate Choices. He chairs the Board of Directors of the Quebec Music & Art Conservatories Foundation as well as the Board of Petits Chanteurs du Mont-Royal. He is also a member of the Ambassador Circle of Nature Conservancy Canada’s, Quebec Chapter.
Anik Dubuc, M. Env.
Executive Vice-President
Aluminium Association of Canada
Anik held the position of Vice-President, Sustainable Development since 2013 before being appointed Executive Vice-President in 2024. She has 25 years of experience in the aluminium production industry. Her main functions are to represent the industry before governments, business associations, international organizations linked to the industry, as well as with environmental and health and safety organizations. She is also responsible for standing committees of the Association and ensures the implementation of the objectives set by the industry and good communication with stakeholders.
In addition to covering health, safety and environmental topics related to the operating permits of AAC members, Anik’s role is oriented towards the fight against climate change, the development of traceability for the industry and the integration of practices allowing the development and promotion of responsible production.
At the beginning of her career, she served in various environmental management positions on production sites. She subsequently worked in corporate team in mandates of international scope. She was also assigned to major project teams as the main Environmental Coordinator, participating to engineering and to the impact study of new smelters. During her mandate with major projects, she was also assigned as spokesperson at the BAPE public hearings.
Anik Dubuc holds a Masters in Environmental Management from the University of Sherbrooke and graduated from Laval University in Biology-Agronomy, Environmental specialization.
Carole Lacroix
Executive Assistant and Communications Coordinator
Aluminium Association of Canada
Carole joined the AAC in 2015 and holds the position of Executive Assistant and Communications Coordinator. Her main responsibilities include coordinating the activities of the President and CEO and of the Board of Directors. She accompanies and supports the team in the realization of various AAC projects. At the same time, she coordinates the development and production of all AAC communications tools and activities.
Carole has a solid experience in management and communications thanks to a career that spans over 20 years in various communication agencies and public relations firms.
She holds a certificate in Public Relations from Université de Montréal and is fluent in French, English and Spanish.
Victor Legris, M. Env.
Economic Analyst and Sustainable Development Advisor<br />
Aluminium Association of Canada
Victor joined the AAC in 2019 and holds the position of Economic analyst and Consultant in Sustainable Development. Victor’s main responsibilities include analyzing the Canadian international aluminium trade, as well as the state of the market to provide resources on which the representations of the AAC are based. He provides leadership and coordination of working groups with AAC members and collaborates with various industry stakeholders to ensure the progress of AAC projects. He ensures the efficient management of the data used by the AAC.
Victor holds a Master’s degree in Environmental Management from the University of Sherbrooke, as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Economics from the University of Quebec in Montreal.
Larissa Kabadiang, M. Env.
Advisor, Environment, Health and Safety
Association de l'aluminium du Canada
Larissa joined the AAC team in 2022 and holds the position of Consultant, Environment, Health and Safety. Her main functions are to follow up and analyze technical files in environment and in health and safety. She provides leadership and coordination of working groups with AAC members and collaborates with various industry stakeholders to ensure the progress of AAC projects.
Larissa holds a Master’s degree in Environmental Management from the University of Sherbrooke and a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from the University of Quebec in Montreal. She has 4 years of experience in planning, environmental compliance audits and project management. In particular, she has held the position of environmental inspector at the Quebec ministry of the Environment and Climate Change (MELCC) for two years.