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Pierre Duchesne
Pierre Duchesne 2009-11-11.JPG
Duchesne in 2009
28th Lieutenant Governor of Quebec
In office
June 7, 2007 – September 24, 2015
Monarch Elizabeth II
Governor General Michaëlle Jean
David Johnston
Premier Jean Charest
Pauline Marois
Philippe Couillard
Preceded by Lise Thibault
Succeeded by J. Michel Doyon
Personal details
Born (1940-02-27) February 27, 1940 (age 85)
La Malbaie, Quebec, Canada
Spouses
Ginette Lamoreux
(m. 1963)
Parents Lorenzo Duchesne
Anne-Marie Bouchard
Alma mater Laval University
Profession Notary, civil servant

Pierre Duchesne, born on February 27, 1940, is a Canadian public servant. He served as the 28th Lieutenant Governor of Quebec. This important role meant he was the Queen Elizabeth II's representative in the province of Quebec. Before that, he was the secretary general of the National Assembly of Quebec. He was chosen for the Lieutenant Governor role by Governor General of Canada Michaëlle Jean. This decision was made with advice from Prime Minister of Canada Stephen Harper. His appointment was announced on May 18, 2007.

Pierre Duchesne's Life and Career

Pierre Duchesne Vice-Regal Salute
Duchesne on Remembrance Day, 2010, receiving the vice-regal salute

Pierre Duchesne studied at the seminary of Chicoutimi. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree there. Later, he received a law degree from Laval University. In 1966, he became a notary in Sept-Îles. A notary is a legal professional who helps with important documents.

Working at the National Assembly

Duchesne started working at the National Assembly of Quebec in 1974. The National Assembly is where Quebec's laws are made. From 1984 to 2001, he held a very important job there. He was the secretary general. This role involves managing the daily work and procedures of the Assembly.

He also wrote two important books about how the Quebec parliament works. These books are called Recueil des décisions concernant la procédure parlementaire and La Procédure parlementaire du Québec. They help people understand the rules and traditions of the Assembly.

Becoming Lieutenant Governor

On May 18, 2007, Prime Minister of Canada Stephen Harper announced that Pierre Duchesne would be the next Lieutenant Governor of Quebec. He took over from Lise Thibault. Pierre Duchesne was officially sworn into his new role on June 7, 2007. He served in this position until September 24, 2015.

Understanding Pierre Duchesne's Coat of Arms

A coat of arms is a special design that represents a person, family, or organization. It often includes symbols that tell a story about them. Pierre Duchesne was granted his own coat of arms on March 20, 2009.

What the Symbols Mean

  • The Shield: The main part of the coat of arms shows an oak tree. Duchesne's last name, "Duchesne," means "of the oak." The three roots of the tree stand for his three children. The seven acorns represent his future grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
  • The Crane: A crane bird is shown holding a paintbrush. The crane (or "grue" in French) reminds us of L'Isle-aux-Grues, Quebec. This shows Duchesne's connection to that place and to Quebec. The paintbrush shows his support for art and artists.
  • The Blue Band: A blue band across the shield represents the rule of law. This is a nod to his past jobs as a notary and as the Secretary General of the National Assembly. These roles involved upholding laws and rules.
  • The Rocky Terrain: The wavy lines on the shield and the rocky ground where the animals stand represent the Charlevoix region of Quebec.
  • The Motto: His motto is CONFIDE TIBI ET PERSEVERA. This Latin phrase means "Have confidence in yourself and persevere." It's a message about believing in yourself and never giving up.
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