Lucien Bouchard facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lucien Bouchard
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Bouchard in 2013
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| 27th Premier of Quebec | |
| In office January 29, 1996 – March 8, 2001 |
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| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Lieutenant Governor | Martial Asselin Jean-Louis Roux Lise Thibault |
| Deputy | Bernard Landry |
| Preceded by | Jacques Parizeau |
| Succeeded by | Bernard Landry |
| President of the Parti Québécois | |
| In office January 27, 1996 – March 2, 2001 |
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| Preceded by | Jacques Parizeau |
| Succeeded by | Bernard Landry |
| Leader of the Opposition | |
| In office November 4, 1993 – January 14, 1996 |
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| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Prime Minister | Jean Chrétien |
| Preceded by | Jean Chrétien |
| Succeeded by | Gilles Duceppe |
| Leader of the Bloc Québécois | |
| In office July 25, 1990 – January 16, 1996 |
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| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Gilles Duceppe (interim) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 22, 1938 Saint-Cœur-de-Marie, Quebec, Canada |
| Political party | Parti Québécois (provincial, 1990–2010) Bloc Québécois (federal, 1990–2010) |
| Other political affiliations |
Progressive Conservative (federal, c. 1984–1990) |
| Spouse | Solange Dugas (since May 18, 2013) |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | Université Laval |
| Profession | Lawyer |
Lucien Bouchard (born December 22, 1938) is a French Canadian lawyer and a retired politician. He was an important figure in Quebec and Canadian politics for many years.
Bouchard served as a minister in the Canadian government for two years. Later, he started a new political party called the Bloc Québécois. He became the Leader of the Opposition in Canada's Parliament from 1993 to 1996. He played a big role in the "Yes" campaign during the 1995 Quebec referendum. After that, he became the 27th premier of Quebec, serving from 1996 to 2001.
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Early Life and Education
Lucien Bouchard was born in Saint-Cœur-de-Marie, Québec. His parents were Alice and Philippe Bouchard. His brother, Gérard Bouchard, is a well-known historian.
Lucien Bouchard finished college in 1959. He then studied social science and law at Université Laval. In 1964, he became a lawyer in Quebec. He worked as a lawyer in Chicoutimi until 1985.
Early Years in Politics
Bouchard's journey in politics was quite interesting. He joined different political parties over the years. He even started his own party, the Bloc Québécois.
Throughout his career, Bouchard was a strong Quebec nationalist. This means he believed Quebec should have more control over its own future. In 1980, he supported the "Yes" side in the first 1980 Quebec referendum on Quebec's independence.
In 1984, his friend from law school, Brian Mulroney, became the Prime Minister of Canada. Mulroney asked Bouchard to take on important roles. In 1985, Bouchard became Canada's ambassador to France.
Member of Parliament
Working with Brian Mulroney
In 1988, Bouchard came back to Canada. He was elected as a Progressive Conservative Member of Parliament (MP). He quickly joined Mulroney's team as a Cabinet Minister. He served as Secretary of State and later as Minister of the Environment.
Bouchard believed that the Meech Lake Accord would keep Quebec as part of Canada. This accord was a plan to change Canada's constitution. However, when changes were suggested to the accord, Bouchard disagreed. He felt these changes weakened the original plan.
Starting the Bloc Québécois
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Soon after, Bouchard announced he supported Quebec becoming a separate country. He sent a message of support to the Parti Québécois (PQ), a party that wanted Quebec to be independent.
When Prime Minister Mulroney found out, he asked Bouchard to leave his Cabinet. Bouchard then left the Progressive Conservative party. He sat in Parliament as an independent member for a few months.
After the Meech Lake Accord failed, Bouchard created a new party. This party was called the Bloc Québécois. It was formed with five former Progressive Conservatives and two former Liberals. The Bloc Québécois' main goal was to help Quebec become independent.
In the 1993 Canadian federal election, the Bloc Québécois won many seats in Quebec. They won 54 out of 75 seats in Quebec. This made them the second-largest party in the Canadian Parliament. Because of this, Lucien Bouchard became the first leader of a separatist party to be the Leader of the Opposition in Canada.
Leader of the Opposition
As Leader of the Opposition, Bouchard's party focused on issues related to Quebec's future. He announced that Bloc MPs would only speak French in Parliament. This policy is still in place today.
In 1994, while serving as Leader of the Opposition, Bouchard faced a serious health challenge. He lost his left leg due to a severe infection.
The 1995 Quebec Referendum
In 1995, Bouchard signed an agreement with the leaders of two other Quebec parties. This agreement outlined the plan for a new vote on Quebec's independence. This vote was called the 1995 Quebec referendum.
Bouchard was very important in convincing the PQ leader, Jacques Parizeau, to include a plan for an association with Canada in the referendum question. He campaigned strongly for the "Yes" side. The referendum was very close, but the "No" side won by a small margin.
During the campaign, Bouchard made some comments that caused controversy. He also used a newspaper photo of Prime Minister Jean Chrétien and Pierre Trudeau laughing. Bouchard claimed they were laughing at Quebec. Chrétien later called this a "crude stunt."
Premier of Quebec
After the "Yes" side lost the 1995 referendum, Jacques Parizeau resigned as Quebec premier. Lucien Bouchard was chosen to be the new leader of the Parti Québécois in January 1996. He then became the premier of Quebec.
As premier, Bouchard said that there would be no new referendum on independence for a while. He focused on improving Quebec's economy. His government worked to reduce the province's debt.
Bouchard led the PQ in the 1998 Quebec general election. He ran against Jean Charest, who was now the leader of the provincial Liberal Party. Even though the Liberals won slightly more votes overall, the PQ won more seats. This allowed Bouchard to lead the government for another term.
During his time as Premier, Bouchard's government achieved balanced budgets. They also expanded social programs, like creating a universal childcare system and a system for prescription drug coverage (pharmacare). He famously refused to use public money to help the Montreal Expos baseball team build a new stadium. He said it was more important to fund hospitals.
Retirement from Politics
Lucien Bouchard left politics in 2001. Bernard Landry took over as Quebec premier. Bouchard said that he felt he hadn't succeeded in reigniting the desire for sovereignty.
After leaving politics, Bouchard returned to working as a lawyer. He became a partner at a law firm. He works on business and company law. He also serves on the boards of several companies and organizations, like the Montreal Symphony Orchestra.
In 2010, Bouchard shared his thoughts on Quebec's independence. He said that sovereignty might no longer be a realistic goal for Quebec. He believed that the Bloc Québécois was only meant to last until the 1995 referendum. He also suggested that the 1995 referendum might have passed if it had been a two-step process.
Personal Life
Lucien Bouchard has been married three times. He married his first wife, Jocelyne Côte, in 1966.
His second wife was Audrey Best. She was a lawyer and passed away in 2011 from breast cancer.
On May 18, 2013, Bouchard married his third wife, Solange Dugas.
Bouchard has two sons, Alexandre and Simon.
"Pour un Québec lucide"
In 2005, Bouchard and other prominent Quebecers published a statement called "Pour un Québec lucide" (For a Clear-Eyed Vision of Quebec). This statement warned about the challenges Quebec would face in the future, especially with its aging population. It encouraged people to think carefully about the province's economic and cultural future.
In 2006, Bouchard stated that Quebec's population needed to be more productive. He also pointed out that his generation was responsible for a large part of Quebec's debt. He felt that future generations should not have to carry this burden alone.
Legacy and Achievements
Lucien Bouchard's time as premier included some important decisions. His government made cuts to health care spending to balance the budget. He also oversaw the creation of a low-cost, universal public daycare system and a universal pharmacare system.
He is remembered for his strong personality and his demand for excellence. He was also known for his charm and his ability to speak well. Bouchard has stated that he will not return to politics.
Elections as Party Leader
Lucien Bouchard won the 1998 Quebec general election. He resigned as premier in 2001. He is the only leader of the Parti Québécois to be Premier for his entire leadership. He is also the only non-interim PQ leader who never lost an election.
Honours and Awards
Lucien Bouchard has received many honours throughout his life:
- He became a member of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada in 1988.
- He received the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal in 1992.
- He has received several honorary law degrees (Honoris causa) from universities in France and Quebec.
- He was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002.
- He was made a Commander of the Legion of Honour in 2002.
- He received the Grand Commander of the National Order of Quebec in 2008.
- He was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012.
See also
- List of Quebec premiers
- Quebec sovereignty movement
- History of Quebec
- Politics of Quebec
- Politics of Canada
Images for kids
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Bouchard in 2009
