In 1880, he helped found the Liberal newspaper L'Électeur at Quebec City and became its editor and later its owner.

In 1886, he played an important part in the election victory of the Parti National of Honoré Mercier.

In December 1896, L'Électeur became Le Soleil when the Quebec Catholic bishops forbade the reading of Pacaud's newspaper after he had published several editorials critical of the church.

In 1903, Pacaud fell seriously ill and the Compagnie de Publication Le Soleil was formed to take over the operation of the paper.

His brother Gaspard Pacaud was a newspaper editor and also served in the Ontario legislative assembly.