Andrée Champagne facts for kids

Andrée Champagne PC CM was a talented Canadian actress, pianist, and politician. She was born on July 17, 1939, in Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, and passed away there on June 6, 2020. She was known for her acting roles and her important work in the Canadian government.

Early Life and Acting Career

Andrée Champagne grew up in Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec. She was a very skilled performer from a young age. She became a well-known personality in her home province of Quebec.

Becoming a Star

In the 1960s, Andrée Champagne became famous on television. She played the character "Donalda" in a popular TV series called Les Belles Histoires des pays d'en haut. This show was created by Claude-Henri Grignon. After the series finished in 1970, she started her own business. She opened a casting agency to help other actors find roles.

Helping Artists

Even after opening her agency, Andrée Champagne continued to perform. She also became involved in cultural issues. In the early 1980s, she joined the board of directors for l'Institut québécois du cinéma. This group helps with movies in Quebec. She also worked with l'Union des artistes, a union for artists. She helped create Le Chez Nous des Artistes. This was a special retirement home for artists.

A Career in Politics

Andrée Champagne decided to enter politics in 1984. She joined the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada. She ran as a candidate in the 1984 Canadian federal election. She won her election and became a Member of Parliament for the area of Saint-Hyacinthe-Bagot. This was during a big win for her party.

Serving as a Minister

After being elected, Andrée Champagne was chosen for an important role. She became a member of the Cabinet for Prime Minister Brian Mulroney. She was named the Minister of State for Youth. In this role, she helped create policies and programs for young people in Canada.

In the House of Commons

From 1986 to 1990, she served as the Assistant Deputy Chair of the Committee of the Whole House. This is a role that helps the Speaker manage debates. In 1990, she became the Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons. This is a very important job. The Deputy Speaker helps lead meetings and ensures that rules are followed. She held this role until 1993. She lost her seat in the 1993 Canadian federal election.

Becoming a Senator

On August 2, 2005, Andrée Champagne was appointed to the Senate of Canada. The Senate is another part of Canada's Parliament. She was nominated by Prime Minister Paul Martin. The Governor General Adrienne Clarkson officially appointed her. She joined the Conservative group in the Senate. She retired from the Senate on July 17, 2014, when she turned 75 years old.

Later Life

Andrée Champagne passed away on June 6, 2020. She died in her hometown of Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec.