Albiny Paquette
Encyclopedia
Joseph-Henri-Albiny Paquette (October 7, 1888 – September 25, 1978) was a Quebec
politician
and physician
. He was a cabinet minister for 17 years in Maurice Duplessis
' Union Nationale government.
Born in Marieville, Quebec
, Paquette studied in medical sciences at the Montreal campus of Université Laval
. After additional studies and training at Bellevue Hospital in New York City
, Paquette worked first for the Canadian Red Cross
in the Balkans
, then in the Canadian Forces
as a Medical Officer. He also served at several hospitals in Europe
including in Paris
and in England
.
Paquette returned to Quebec in 1919 and practiced medicine in Mont-Laurier
until his entry into municipal politics and his nine-year stint as mayor of that city.
Paquette was first elected to the Legislative Assembly of Quebec
for the district of Labelle
in the 1935 general election
as a member of the Conservative Party. He was reelected, as a member of the Union Nationale, in all six subsequent elections from 1936 to 1956. Paquette remained as the Legislative Assembly Member for Labelle until he resigned in 1958. He served from 1936 to 1939 and 1944 to 1958 as Minister
of Health in the Duplessis Cabinet. In 1958, he was appointed to the Legislative Council of Quebec
for the division of Rougemont and resigned in 1967.
He received several honors, distinctions and medals, including honorary doctorates for Université Laval
, Université de Montréal
and Bishop's College
. His other rewards include the Military Medal of the British Government, the Medal of the Canadian Centennial
and the honor cross of the French government. He was decorated by the Prince of Wales
in 1919.
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
and physician
Physician
A physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
. He was a cabinet minister for 17 years in Maurice Duplessis
Maurice Duplessis
Maurice Le Noblet Duplessis served as the 16th Premier of the Canadian province of Quebec from 1936 to 1939 and 1944 to 1959. A founder and leader of the highly conservative Union Nationale party, he rose to power after exposing the misconduct and patronage of Liberal Premier Louis-Alexandre...
' Union Nationale government.
Born in Marieville, Quebec
Marieville, Quebec
Marieville is a city in the Canadian province of Quebec. It is located within the Rouville Regional County Municipality in the Montérégie region about 30 kilometers east of Montreal. The population as of the Canada 2006 Census was 7,904.-History:...
, Paquette studied in medical sciences at the Montreal campus of Université Laval
Université de Montréal
The Université de Montréal is a public francophone research university in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It comprises thirteen faculties, more than sixty departments and two affiliated schools: the École Polytechnique and HEC Montréal...
. After additional studies and training at Bellevue Hospital in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, Paquette worked first for the Canadian Red Cross
Canadian Red Cross
The Canadian Red Cross Society is a Canadian humanitarian charitable organization and one of 186 national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies....
in the Balkans
Balkans
The Balkans is a geopolitical and cultural region of southeastern Europe...
, then in the Canadian Forces
Canadian Forces
The Canadian Forces , officially the Canadian Armed Forces , are the unified armed forces of Canada, as constituted by the National Defence Act, which states: "The Canadian Forces are the armed forces of Her Majesty raised by Canada and consist of one Service called the Canadian Armed Forces."...
as a Medical Officer. He also served at several hospitals in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
including in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
and in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
.
Paquette returned to Quebec in 1919 and practiced medicine in Mont-Laurier
Mont-Laurier, Quebec
Mont-Laurier is a town and incorporated municipality in northwest Quebec, Canada, located on the banks of the Rivière du Lièvre, a tributary of the Ottawa River. Known as the “Capital of the Haute-Laurentides”, the motto of the town is Laurus elationis praemium, which translates to “Lift the...
until his entry into municipal politics and his nine-year stint as mayor of that city.
Paquette was first elected to the Legislative Assembly of Quebec
Legislative Assembly of Quebec
The Legislative Assembly of Quebec was the name of the lower house of Quebec's legislature until 1968, when it was renamed the National Assembly of Quebec. At the same time, the upper house of the legislature, the Legislative Council, was abolished...
for the district of Labelle
Labelle (provincial electoral district)
Labelle is a provincial electoral district in Quebec, Canada that elects members to the National Assembly of Quebec. The riding was created in 1980 from parts of Laurentides-Labelle and Gatineau. The riding also existed from 1912 to 1973...
in the 1935 general election
Quebec general election, 1935
The Quebec general election of 1935 was held on November 25, 1935 to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Quebec, Canada...
as a member of the Conservative Party. He was reelected, as a member of the Union Nationale, in all six subsequent elections from 1936 to 1956. Paquette remained as the Legislative Assembly Member for Labelle until he resigned in 1958. He served from 1936 to 1939 and 1944 to 1958 as Minister
Minister (government)
A minister is a politician who holds significant public office in a national or regional government. Senior ministers are members of the cabinet....
of Health in the Duplessis Cabinet. In 1958, he was appointed to the Legislative Council of Quebec
Legislative Council of Quebec
From 1867 until 1968, the Legislative Council of Quebec was the unelected upper house of the bicameral legislature in the Canadian province of Quebec...
for the division of Rougemont and resigned in 1967.
He received several honors, distinctions and medals, including honorary doctorates for Université Laval
Université Laval
Laval University is the oldest centre of education in Canada and was the first institution in North America to offer higher education in French...
, Université de Montréal
Université de Montréal
The Université de Montréal is a public francophone research university in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It comprises thirteen faculties, more than sixty departments and two affiliated schools: the École Polytechnique and HEC Montréal...
and Bishop's College
Bishop's College
Bishop's College in Colombo, Sri Lanka was founded by the Anglican Church of Ceylon in February 1875.It is a fee-levying private school, with over 2000 students at all grades from Kindergarten to Grade 14. The current principal is Mrs...
. His other rewards include the Military Medal of the British Government, the Medal of the Canadian Centennial
Canadian Centennial
The Canadian Centennial was a year long celebration held in 1967 when Canada celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Canadian Confederation. Celebrations occurred throughout the year but culminated on Dominion Day, July 1. 1967 coins were different from previous years' issues, with animals on each...
and the honor cross of the French government. He was decorated by the Prince of Wales
Prince of Wales
Prince of Wales is a title traditionally granted to the heir apparent to the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the 15 other independent Commonwealth realms...
in 1919.