Simon Gaudreault is the Chief Economist and Vice-President, Research for the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB). He is responsible for conducting research and lobbying on a variety of economic, commercial, political and social issues affecting SMEs across Canada. Simon is also a national spokesperson for CFIB. In this capacity, he is an occasional media commentator on news relating to SMEs and economics.

Simon joined CFIB in April 2011 as an economist. He assumed direction of national research in 2018 and was appointed to his current position in 2022.

Prior to joining CFIB, Simon worked as a consultant for the local economic development office of Manicouagan from 2008-2009, assisting entrepreneurs with their business plans and playing a key role in the economic diversification strategy for Manicouagan Regional County Municipality.

Simon also has experience in municipal issues. He worked as a research and studies advisor in the Office of the Manager of the City of Laval (2009-2011), as an analyst at the consulting firm Pierre Prévost Conseil (2006-2007), and as a finance and tax advisor for the Transition Committee of the Greater Montreal Area (2004-2005).

Simon holds an Honours BA in Economics from the University of Ottawa and an MSc in Economics from l'Université du Québec à Montréal. His Master's thesis is on entrepreneurship in outlying regions of Canada.