 He won UQAM's teaching award five times, and was a co-recipient of the 2002 Harry Johnson Prize.In 2001 he was a member of the Seguin commission which examined the possible fiscal imbalance between the federal and provincial governments.In June 2009 Pauline Marois asked him to run for office at a time when the PQ was looking to increase its economic credentials, following the departure of François Legault.