Me Francisco Couto, retired advocate
Me Francisco Couto has been the Chair of the Board of Directors since September 2024. The retired lawyer has been involved with Éducaloi for several years. He became a board member in June 2021, following his role as an observer from 2012 to 2019.
Three things to know about Me Francisco Couto
A memorable film — Intouchables, directed by Olivier Nakache and Éric Toledano.
No coffee or tea—more like herbal tea.
He would have loved to dine with Mohandas Gandhi, Mother Teresa, Martin Luther King, and Mikhail Gorbachev, as they all embodied courage, perseverance, and hope for a better world. They had the courage to stand by their beliefs.
Me Francisco Couto’s career reflects an eloquence tempered with discretion. Before retiring, he was the Regional Director General of the Quebec Regional Office of Justice Canada where he oversaw federal government litigation in Quebec. His experience led him to manage a team of 350, including 200 legal professionals.
He became familiar with Éducaloi and its projects supporting English-speaking communities while serving as the federal representative for Quebec’s second official language, English.
Community involvement has always been important to Me Francisco Couto. He served on several committees of the Montreal Bar and held the position of Senior Advisor.
Helping one another and sharing are core values for Me Couto. He lives by two key sayings: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together” and “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” These aren’t just words to him; they are values he puts into action every day.
For example, Me Couto co-founded a national association of jurists, co-led the Government of Canada’s Workplace Charitable Campaign (2018) for Metropolitan Montreal, and was a champion of the National Managers’ Community (Quebec region) within the federal government. Me Couto is also involved as a board member of Eau Laval, a non-profit organization specializing in aquatic sports.
His family is just as important to him as his community work. Despite a busy career as a lawyer and manager, he always made time for his four children (now adults). He joined parent committees and school boards and volunteered as a soccer coach.
Honest, curious, and responsible, Me Couto is eager to give back and share his expertise. Éducaloi’s mission resonated with him because he truly believes that a civil society aware of its rights and obligations is essential to a healthy democracy. He strongly believes in a human-centered justice system that meets the needs of individuals.