Honoré Mercier facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Honoré Mercier
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| 9th Premier of Quebec | |
| In office January 27, 1887 – December 21, 1891 |
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| Monarch | Victoria |
| Lieutenant Governor | Louis-Rodrigue Masson Auguste-Réal Angers |
| Preceded by | Louis-Olivier Taillon |
| Succeeded by | Charles Boucher de Boucherville |
| Member of Parliament for Rouville |
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| In office October 12, 1872 – January 22, 1874 |
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| Preceded by | Guillaume Cheval dit St-Jacques |
| Succeeded by | Guillaume Cheval dit St-Jacques |
| MNA for Saint-Hyacinthe | |
| In office June 3, 1879 – June 17, 1890 |
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| Preceded by | Pierre Bachand |
| Succeeded by | Odilon Desmarais |
| MNA for Bonaventure | |
| In office June 17, 1890 – October 30, 1894 |
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| Preceded by | Henri-Josué Martin |
| Succeeded by | François-Xavier Lemieux |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 15, 1840 Saint-Athanase, Lower Canada |
| Died | October 30, 1894 (aged 54) Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
| Political party | Liberal Party / Parti National |
| Spouses | Léopoldine Boivin (death) Virginie Saint-Denis |
| Alma mater | Jesuit College Sainte-Marie |
| Occupation | Lawyer, newspaper editor |
| Profession | politician |
Honoré Mercier (born October 15, 1840 – died October 30, 1894) was an important Canadian politician from Quebec. He worked as a lawyer and journalist before entering politics. He served as the ninth premier of Quebec from 1887 to 1891. He led the Parti National, which later became the Quebec Liberal Party. Mercier became powerful by speaking out against the execution of Louis Riel. He said it was a betrayal by the government of John A. Macdonald.
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Early Life and Education
Honoré Mercier was born in Saint-Athanase, Lower Canada. His father, Jean-Baptiste Mercier, was a farmer. Honoré studied at the Jesuit College Sainte-Marie in Montreal. He became a lawyer in April 1865. At just 22 years old, Mercier became the editor of a newspaper called Le Courrier de St-Hyacinthe. He did not support the idea of Canadian Confederation in 1864. He believed it would not be good for French Canadian people.
Becoming a Member of Parliament
In 1871, Mercier helped create a political group called the Parti National. It did not last very long. In the 1872 election, Mercier ran as a Liberal candidate. He won and became a Member of the House of Commons. He represented the area of Rouville. He chose not to run again in the 1874 election. In the 1878 election, he ran in St. Hyacinthe. However, he lost to his opponent, Louis Tellier, from the Conservative Party.
Starting in Provincial Politics
In 1879, Mercier was chosen to be the Solicitor General of Quebec. This was a role in the Cabinet of Premier Henri-Gustave Joly de Lotbinière. He held this position for less than a year. He then won a special election called a by-election. This made him a Member of the Legislative Assembly for the area of Saint-Hyacinthe. He was re-elected in the 1881 and 1886 elections. He won another by-election in 1887.
Becoming a Party Leader
Mercier became the leader of the Quebec Liberal Party in 1883. He was also the President of the Bar of Montreal from 1885 to 1887. He strongly disagreed with the decision to execute Louis Riel in 1885. This event made many people support Mercier. The Quebec Conservative Party lost support because the federal government, led by Conservatives, had ordered Riel's execution.
Mercier used this chance to form a new group with some Conservatives who were unhappy. He brought back the name "Parti National" for the 1886 Quebec provincial election. His party won most of the seats. Most of the members were Liberals, with only a few Conservatives. So, the name "Liberal" was soon used again. The Conservatives had fewer members in the Legislative Assembly. They stayed in power for a few more months. But Mercier officially became Premier of Quebec in 1887.
Premier of Quebec
Mercier believed that Quebec should have more control over its own affairs. He saw this as important for Quebec's identity. He worked with Ontario Premier Oliver Mowat to reduce the federal government's power. In 1887, Mercier started the idea of meetings between provinces. He was the first Quebec premier to strongly support provincial autonomy. This means provinces having more power within Canada. He wanted to stop the federal government from being able to cancel provincial laws.
Mercier was a strong supporter of Quebec's rights. He was a pioneer for later premiers who also wanted more power for Quebec. He also encouraged connections with French-speaking people outside Quebec. This included those in Western Canada and New England. At that time, these French speakers had not yet become fully part of English-Canadian or American culture. Mercier worked for reforms, economic growth, and supported Catholicism and the French language. He became very popular but also made some opponents. He was re-elected as the Member for Bonaventure. His party won the 1890 election with even more seats. In 1891, the Pope gave him the special title of a count.
Political Challenges
On December 16, 1891, Honoré Mercier was removed from his position by Lieutenant Governor Auguste-Réal Angers. This happened after a report suggested there were issues with how his government used public money. He lost the 1892 election. After this, he gave up his role as party leader to Félix-Gabriel Marchand. Mercier was later put on trial, but he was found not guilty. A second report cleared his name. However, his health had become very poor, and his political career was over. He passed away in 1894 at the age of 54. He was buried in the Notre Dame des Neiges Cemetery in Montreal, Quebec.
Mercier's Legacy
Many places and landmarks are named after Honoré Mercier to remember him:
- The Mercier Bridge connects the western part of Island of Montreal with the South Shore.
- The town of Mercier, Quebec is named after him.
- Avenue Mercier is in downtown Shawinigan, Quebec.
- The provincial election area of Mercier is named in his honor.
- An elementary school and a high school in Montreal are named Honoré-Mercier.
- A hospital in Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, is called Hôpital Honoré-Mercier.
- Avenue Honoré-Mercier is located in Quebec City centre.
- The area of Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve and its part Mercier in Montreal.
Family Connections
Honoré Mercier's son, Honoré Mercier fils, also served many terms in the Legislative Assembly of Quebec. He was also a Cabinet Minister. His grandson, Honoré Mercier III, served one term in the Legislative Assembly.
Mercier was the father-in-law of Lomer Gouin, who also became a Premier of Quebec. He is also a great-great-grandfather of NDP retired leader Thomas Mulcair.
See also
- Politics of Quebec
- History of Quebec
- Quebec general elections
