Claude Ryan facts for kids
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Claude Ryan
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Claude Ryan, c. 1988
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| Member of the National Assembly of Quebec for Argenteuil | |
| In office 1979–1994 |
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| Preceded by | Zoël Saindon |
| Succeeded by | Régent L. Beaudet |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 26, 1925 Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
| Died | February 9, 2004 (aged 79) Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
| Political party | Quebec Liberal Party |
Claude Ryan (born January 26, 1925 – died February 9, 2004) was an important Canadian journalist and politician. He led a major French newspaper called Le Devoir. Later, he became the leader of the Quebec Liberal Party. He also served as a member of Quebec's parliament and as Minister of Education.
Claude Ryan: A Life in Public Service
Early Life and Family
Claude Ryan was born in Montreal, Quebec. His parents were Blandine Dorion and Henri-Albert Ryan.
Claude's brother, Yves Ryan, was also involved in politics. Yves was the mayor of Montreal North for many years.
A Career in Journalism
From 1962 to 1978, Ryan worked as an editor at Le Devoir. This was a French-language daily newspaper in Montreal. He became the newspaper's director from 1964 to 1978.
During his time leading the newspaper, he was known for being honest and understanding political issues. Both the Quebec government and opposition parties often asked for his advice.
The October Crisis and Rumors
In 1970, Quebec faced a difficult time known as the October Crisis. During this period, some people wrongly accused Ryan of trying to overthrow the government. This rumor was proven false.
However, it caused tension between Ryan and then-Prime Minister of Canada, Pierre Elliott Trudeau. Ryan believed Trudeau might have spread the rumor to hurt him politically.
Stepping into Politics
After the 1976 election, the Quebec Liberal Party needed a new leader. Claude Ryan won the leadership election in 1978. He led the party from 1978 to 1982. During this time, he often disagreed with René Lévesque, the leader of the Parti Québécois.
The 1980 Quebec Referendum
Ryan led the "No" side in the 1980 Quebec referendum. This vote was about whether Quebec should become an independent country. The "No" side, which wanted Quebec to remain part of Canada, won with 60% of the votes.
A key moment in the campaign involved Ryan's wife, Madeleine. A Quebec minister criticized Madeleine, calling her an "Yvette." This term suggested she was a traditional stay-at-home woman. Many women in Quebec were upset by this comment.
Madeleine Ryan responded by organizing a special event for women. A week later, 14,000 women gathered to show their disapproval. Many people believe this event encouraged many women to vote "No" in the referendum.
Challenges with Pierre Trudeau
Pierre Trudeau, the Prime Minister, was critical of Ryan's political style. Trudeau felt the Quebec Liberal Party was not campaigning effectively. He even sent his minister, Jean Chrétien, to help the "No" campaign. This further strained the relationship between Ryan and Trudeau.
The 1981 Provincial Election
Ryan then led the Liberal Party into the 1981 Quebec general election. His party received only 3% fewer votes than the Parti Québécois. However, the Parti Québécois won twice as many seats in the parliament.
Many blamed Ryan's campaign style for the loss. People said it was old-fashioned and not suited for television. For example, he did not like to create short sound bites for the news. After this loss, Robert Bourassa took over as the Liberal leader.
Return to Government
When the Liberals won the 1985 Quebec general election under Bourassa, Ryan became an important government member. He served as Minister of Education.
He also held other important roles. These included Minister of Municipal Affairs and Minister responsible for the Charter of the French Language. He continued to serve in the government led by Daniel Johnson.
Many people in English Canada remember Ryan for his efforts against Quebec becoming independent. However, those who followed his career knew he also believed the Canadian federal system was too centralized. He thought it needed changes.
Retirement and Legacy
Ryan retired from politics in September 1994. In 1995, he was honored with the Companion of the Order of Canada. This is one of Canada's highest honors. In 2002, he received the Canadian version of the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal.
Claude Ryan passed away in Montreal on February 9, 2004, from stomach cancer. In 2006, he was posthumously made a Grand Officer of the National Order of Quebec. This is another high honor in Quebec.
Published Works
Besides his many newspaper articles, Ryan also wrote several books:
- Les classes moyennes au Canada français, 1950
- L'éducation des adultes, réalité moderne, 1957
- Le contact dans l'apostolat, 1959
- Esprits durs, coeurs doux; la vie intellectuelle des militants chrétiens, 1959
- Les comités : esprit et méthodes, 1962
- Un type nouveau de laïc, 1966
- Le Devoir et la crise d'octobre 70, 1971
- Le Québec qui se fait, 1971
- Une société stable, 1978
- Regards sur le fédéralisme, 1995
- Mon testament spirituel, 2004
Biographies About Claude Ryan
- Aurélien Leclerc, Claude Ryan, l'homme du devoir, Les éditions Quinze, Montréal, 1978, 224 pages, ISBN: 0-88565-160-X
- Pierre Pagé, Claude Ryan, Un éditorialiste dans le débat social, Éditions Fides, Montréal, 2012, 544 pages, ISBN: 978-2-76213-090-4
See Also
- List of Quebec leaders of the Opposition
