Arcand started his journalistic career in 1978 at CKAC as a news editor and then the radio station's vice-president and the director of information. He was then the senior vice-president of Metromedia CMR Broadcasting Inc. in which the company acquired several radio and television stations across the province but mainly in the Montreal area. Among those included CKOI-FM and CFCF-AM. In 2002, he would become the president of Corus Entertainment's Corus Quebec radio division who purchased Metromedia's radio stations. He was involved with the Tel-Aide community organization as an administration member.
Provincial politics
In 2007, Arcand announced his candidacy in the provincial election for the riding of Mont-Royal which was left vacant by Health minister Philippe Couillard who announced his candidacy in the riding of Jean-Talon in Quebec City replacing Margaret Delisle. He decided to run to improve the province's economic competitiveness. Following his easy re-election in 2008, Arcand was given his first cabinet position. He was named the Minister for International Relations, replacing Monique Gagnon-Tremblay who was promoted to President of the Treasury Board replacing Monique Jerome-Forget. Arcand was also given the portfolio of the Francophonie that was left vacant by Benoit Pelletier who did not seek re-election. Since August 11, 2010, he has held the position of Minister of Sustainable Development, the Environment and Parks. He has also served as a member of the Ministerial Committee for Economic Prosperity and Sustainable Development since January 15, 2009. He was re-elected in September 2013 and in April 2014 and since April 2014 hold the position of Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Minister responsible for the Northern Plan, Minister responsible for the Lanaudiere region, and Minister responsible for the Laurentides region. In July 2014 Arcand was awarded with the Fray International Sustainability Award at SIPS 2014/Shechtman International Symposium in Mexico, for his achievements and contributions to sustainable development in politics. At the dissolution of the house in August 2018, Arcand was Minister responsible for Government Administration and Ongoing Program Review, Chair of the Conseil du trésor, and Minister responsible for the Côte-Nord region. In the 2018 election, Arcand was reelected in the redistributed riding of Mont-Royal–Outremont.
