Pierre Arcand began his career in Montréal as a journalist. In 1978, he was appointed news editor for CKAC and the Télémédia network. In 1984, he was promoted to Vice-president and director general at CKAC, and in 1985 was named Senior Vice-president of Télémédia, a position he held until 1988 when he became co-owner of  CFCF and CFQR. In 1992, his group acquired the CKVL and CKOI radio stations followed by CIEL and CIME-FM in 1998. In 2002, Pierre Arcand, backed by more than 20 years of experience on radio, was appointed President of Corus Québec Radio, owner of 14 stations across Quebec. In 1987 he was named New Performer by the Montréal Chamber of Commerce. He served as a board member for Tel-Aide from 1983 until 1986, and of The Diabetic Children's Foundation from 1997 until 2006. Pierre Arcand was elected MNA for Mont-Royal in 2007, subsequent to which he served as parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Economic Development, Innovation and Export Trade and to the Minister of Tourism from April 2007 until April 2008. At that time, he was appointed parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Finance and President of the Conseil du trésor. Furthermore, he held the position of Vice-chair of the Committee on education until 2008.

Re-elected in December 2008, he was appointed Minister of International Relations and Minister responsible for La Francophonie. Since August 11, 2010, has held the position of Minister of Sustainable Development, the Environment and Parks. He has also served as a member of the Comité ministériel de la prospérité économique et du développement durable since January 15, 2009. He was re-elected on September 2013 and on April 2014.