Simard worked as a businessman and consultant before entering political life, initially for a number of business concerns owned by his family.
In 2002, sitting Saint Boniface MP Ron Duhamel was appointed to the Senate of Canada by Prime Minister Jean Chrétien.
[1] In parliament, Simard has expressed a special interest in matters relating to francophone concerns in Canada.
In his private business life, Simard was responsible for opening the first bilingual services centre in Canada.
On July 20, 2004, he was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Internal Trade, Deputy Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, and Minister responsible for Official Languages with responsibility for Official Languages and Democratic Reform.