Jean Alfred facts for kids

Jean Alfred (March 10, 1940 – July 20, 2015) was an important politician in Quebec, Canada. He made history by becoming the first Black person elected to the National Assembly of Quebec. He served as a member of the Parti Québécois from 1976 to 1981.

Jean Alfred's Early Life and Education

Jean Alfred was born on March 10, 1940, in Ouanaminthe, Haiti. His parents were Oracius Alfred and Prunelie Occean. He started his college studies and took some university courses in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

Moving to Canada and Higher Learning

Later, Jean Alfred moved to Ottawa, Canada. There, he earned a degree in philosophy from the University of Ottawa. He continued his studies and also received a master's degree in psycho-pedagogy. This field combines psychology and education. He also earned a Ph.D. in education, which is the highest university degree.

Jean Alfred's Career Before Politics

Before he became a politician, Jean Alfred worked as a teacher for many years. He taught in his home country of Haiti. He also taught in the Outaouais region of Quebec, Canada.

Returning to Education After Politics

After his time in politics, Jean Alfred went back to teaching. He also became a school board commissioner for the Commission Scolaire des Draveurs. This means he helped make important decisions for local schools.

Jean Alfred's Political Journey

Jean Alfred began his political career in 1975. He was elected as a city councillor for Gatineau City Council. This was his first step into public service.

Making History in Quebec Politics

Soon after, he entered provincial politics. In 1976, he was elected to the National Assembly of Quebec for the Papineau area. He ran as a candidate for the Parti Québécois. This was a very special moment because he became the first Black person ever elected to the National Assembly of Quebec.

He served a full term as a member of the Parti Québécois. For a short time, he also served as an independent member. In the next election, he ran in a new area called Chapleau. This area included parts of Gatineau and Papineau. However, he was not re-elected.

Later Attempts in Politics

Jean Alfred tried again to be elected in 1989, but he lost to John Kehoe from the Liberal Party. He also made a brief attempt to enter federal politics. He tried to become a candidate for the Bloc Québécois before the 1997 federal election, but he was not successful.

Jean Alfred passed away on July 20, 2015, in Gatineau, Quebec.