Gérald Tremblay facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gérald Tremblay
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| 41st Mayor of Montreal | |
| In office January 1, 2002 – November 5, 2012 |
|
| Preceded by | Pierre Bourque |
| Succeeded by | Jane Cowell-Poitras (Acting) Michael Applebaum |
| Minister of Industry, Commerce, Science and Technology | |
| In office 1989–1994 |
|
| Premier | Robert Bourassa Daniel Johnson, Jr. |
| Succeeded by | Daniel Paillé |
| MNA for Outremont | |
| In office 1989–1996 |
|
| Preceded by | Pierre Fortier |
| Succeeded by | Pierre-Étienne Laporte |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 20, 1942 Ottawa, Ontario, Canada |
| Political party | Union Montréal (defunct) Quebec Liberal Party (provincial) |
| Spouse | Suzanne Tailleur |
| Relations | Marcel Tremblay (brother) |
| Children | Marie-Laurence, Georges-Étienne |
| Alma mater | University of Ottawa Harvard Business |
| Profession | Entrepreneur Businessman |
Gérald Tremblay (born September 20, 1942) is a former Canadian politician and businessman. He was the mayor of Montreal from 2002 until he resigned in 2012. He also led the Montreal Metropolitan Community. Before becoming mayor, he had a long career in business. Tremblay resigned as Mayor on November 5, 2012, after questions were raised about city contracts.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Gérald Tremblay was born in Ottawa, Ontario. His family moved to Montreal when he was four years old. He has three brothers: Michel, Marcel, and François.
He studied law at the University of Ottawa, finishing in 1969. In 1970, he became a lawyer in Quebec. He also earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Harvard Business School in 1972.
Career Before Politics
From 1974 to 1977, Tremblay taught at HEC Montréal, a business school. After that, he worked in leadership roles for several companies. He was a senior manager at a consulting firm and worked in the hotel and retail industries. He also served on the leadership teams for important organizations like the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec and Hydro-Québec.
He was also a successful entrepreneur. He started a chain of specialty stores called Dans un Jardin. These stores sold perfumes and other nice items.
Time in Provincial Politics
In 1989, Gérald Tremblay was elected as a Member of the National Assembly (MNA) for Outremont. He represented the Quebec Liberal Party.
He served as a minister in charge of industry, business, science, and technology from 1989 to 1994. He was re-elected as an MNA in 1994. He then led a committee focused on the economy and work until he resigned in 1996. After leaving provincial politics, he returned to working in private businesses.
Gérald Tremblay married Suzanne Tailleur on November 24, 1979. They adopted twins, Marie-Laurence and Georges-Etienne, four years later.
Mayoral Career in Montreal
Tremblay decided to run for mayor of Montreal after 29 smaller towns around Montreal were combined into one big city. This change was controversial. The previous mayor, Pierre Bourque, was linked to this merger.
Tremblay's political party was called the Montreal Island Citizens Union, later known as Union Montréal. His campaign promised to look at the merger again and give more power back to local areas. Many people who were against the big city merger supported him. He was elected mayor on November 4, 2001.
Second and Third Terms
On November 6, 2005, Gérald Tremblay won his second term as mayor. He easily defeated his rival, Pierre Bourque. In 2006, Tremblay was chosen as a vice president for North America of United Cities and Local Governments. He was also re-elected as vice president of the International Association of Francophone Mayors.
Gérald Tremblay was re-elected for a third term on November 1, 2009. He won with 37.90% of the votes. The campaign in 2009 focused on good leadership and fairness, especially after some issues with city contracts.
Challenges and Resignation
Tremblay's administration gave more power to the different boroughs (smaller areas) within Montreal. However, some suburban mayors felt that Montreal City Hall was getting too much of the island's tax money.
Tremblay also faced criticism for suggesting to change the name of Avenue du Parc to Avenue Robert-Bourassa, named after a former Quebec premier. He made this suggestion without asking the public first. Many residents and businesses on the street were unhappy. On February 6, 2007, Mayor Tremblay changed his mind after losing support from Bourassa's family. He said he learned that "the opinion of citizens is important."
In October 2012, during a public inquiry called the Charbonneau Commission, a construction contractor claimed that Tremblay's party, Union Montreal, received money from city contracts. On October 30, 2012, a former party organizer also claimed that Mayor Tremblay knew about some questionable financial practices.
Following these claims, Tremblay announced he would take a few days off. On November 5, 2012, Gérald Tremblay announced that he was resigning as mayor and leaving politics.
See also
In Spanish: Gérald Tremblay para niños
