Governance
of the Maison des étudiants canadiens

Tell us about your background and your arrival at the Cité internationale.

A law graduate and a member of the Bar of Quebec, I have a trajectory that transcends the domain of my legal training.

The current director of the Maison des étudiants canadiens, I have had important experiences in various domain such as culture, education and interpersonal relations. These experiences and passions have allowed me to combine the mind of a manager of human resources and finances and an open mind, ready to “think new”.

Carrying out management duties, I have a very varied background, from managing the Semaine francophone de Toronto team to managing the university residences at the University of Sherbrooke, as well as managing internships at the Bar of Quebec and other sectors at the University of Sherbrooke.

At the University of Sherbrooke, I also held the role of Deputy Manager for the Cultural Centre, where I managed not only the performance halls (1300 seats) but also the university’s art collections, bringing an even more passionate view to the art and the management of cultural projects.

I arrived at the MEC with all of my “background”, but especially with a team spirit and innovation to make the building an even more secure, but also welcoming, friendly place that is full of exchanges and sharing. 

What do you think makes the Cité internationale a unique campus in the world?

The encounter with the other and with oneself.

How does living in your house allow residents to have a different outlook on the world and how is it a spring board for their futures?

The Maison des étudiants canadiens, along with its residents’ committee, frequently organises activities, trips and cultural events that allow the residents to network and make lifelong friendships.

Highlighting our Canadian and mixed students and encouraging them to develop is a part of our core being, whether it be through a concert by a resident musician, a private showing organised by an art student or a video presenting a doctoral student’s thesis to our networks…

All of this makes the MEC a special place where networking, friendships and meetings are encouraged.

A large family, a place where life is good.

If you had to sum up the Cité internationale in one word, what would it be and why?

UNIQUE

Unique in the encounters there  
Unique in its diversity
Unique in its history
Unique in its peaceful setting
Unique in its geographical location
Unique in Paris
Unique in the world

Nathalie G. Drouin, a distinguished lawyer, has served as Canada’s Ambassador to France since March 2026. She will also soon assume her responsibilities as Ambassador to the Principality of Monaco.

Prior to taking on this role, she served as Deputy Clerk of the Privy Council and National Security and Intelligence Advisor to the Prime Minister from January 2024 to March 2026. She previously held the position of Deputy Clerk of the Privy Council and Associate Secretary to the Cabinet from August 23, 2021, to January 26, 2024.

Before joining the Privy Council Office, Ms. Drouin served as Deputy Minister of Justice and Deputy Attorney General of Canada from June 2017 to August 2021, and as Senior Associate Deputy Minister at the Department of Justice Canada from September 2016 to June 2017.

From September 2012 to September 2016, Ms. Drouin was Deputy Minister of Justice and Deputy Attorney General for the Government of Quebec.

She also held various positions at the Financial Markets Authority (Autorité des marchés financiers), including that of Executive Director of Market Oversight and Legal Affairs.

Ms. Drouin holds a Bachelor of Laws degree and a graduate diploma in Business Administration, both from Université Laval. She has been a member of the Quebec Bar since 1992.