Benoît Huot

Benoît Huot, C.M., C.Q., PLY, MBA

Saint-Lambert, QC

Member of the Order of Canada (C.M.) and Knight of the Order of Quebec (C.Q.), Benoît Huot represented Canada in Para swimming at five Paralympic Games, including Sydney 2000, Athens 2004, Beijing 2008, London 2012 and Rio 2016. He won 20 Paralympic medals, 32 world championship medals and four Commonwealth Games medals. Benoît also broke more than 60 world records in Para swimming.

Now retired from his athletic career, Benoît is Director of Operations for Groupe HELIOS, which manages, operates and maintains facilities in the water, building, recreation and industrial sectors. He is a consultant in communications, operations, marketing and fundraising for sporting organizations, and includes accessibility, diversity and inclusion among his many specialties.

Over the years, Benoît has been a spokesperson, brand/corporate ambassador, keynote speaker and emcee for numerous organizations. Since 2001 he has worked with companies including Canadian Tire, VISA, Facebook, Amazon, L’Oréal Canada, Pfizer Canada, Nestlé Canada, Speedo, CIBC, RBC and Home Depot, among others.

In media and public relations, Benoît has served as an emcee for the Government of Canada, hosting events for Prime Minister Harper and Prime Minister Charest. He has worked closely with several different Members of Parliament. Benoît is also a freelance radio/TV host and sports analyst for CBC/Radio Canada. Benoît and his wife Annie Couture own and operate a Canadian Tire franchise in Côte-des-Neiges, Montreal.

Benoît has a club foot on his right leg.

BOARD MEMBERSHIPS AND COMMITTEE EXPERIENCE

  • Chair, Para-Sports Québec (2023–present)
  • Director, MXZN Technologies (2020–present)
  • Director, La Prairie Immobilier (2019–present)
  • Director, Institut National des Sports du Québec (2018–present)
  • Ambassador, Jumpstart Foundation (2013–present)
  • Founder, Benoît Huot Foundation (2009–present)
  • Ambassador, Right to Play (2005–present)
  • Chair, Special Olympics Quebéc Games (2021–2022)
  • Director, Paralympic Foundation of Canada (2016–2019)
  • Board Member, Athlete Council, Swimming Canada (2014–2018)
  • Director, Fédération de Natation du Québec (2013–2015)
  • Board Member, Development Committee, Canadian Paralympic Committee (2010–2014)
  • Member, Athlete Council, Commonwealth Games Canada (2010–2014)

EDUCATION AND CREDENTIALS

  • Executive MBA, Queen’s University, Smith School of Business (2020)
  • Certificate in Social Impact, Queen’s University, Smith School of Business (2019)
  • BA, Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) (2014)
  • Business Certificate, TELUQ (UQAM) (2014)

Updated June 9, 2025