Gérald Tremblay
Encyclopedia
Gérald Tremblay is a Canadian politician and businessman currently serving his third term as mayor of Montreal
and as president of the Montreal Metropolitan Community
. Before becoming mayor he had a long career in business and management.
, Ontario, Tremblay grew up in Montreal
, where his family moved when he was four years old. His parents, Georges Albert Tremblay, a notary
, and Rollande Forest, had four boys: Michel, Gérald, Marcel
, and François. He was admitted to the Bar of Quebec in 1970 after receiving a law degree from the University of Ottawa
in 1969, and he later received an MBA from the Harvard Business School
in 1972. He was in senior management in several financial institutions in Quebec
, such as BDPM and Hydro corporation, until 1989, when he was elected to the National Assembly
and served as Minister of Industry, Commerce, Science and Technology until 1994, in the government of Robert Bourassa
. After being re-elected to the national assembly
in September 1994, he resigned in April 1996.
After his second term in the legislature and until his election as mayor on November 4, 2001, he was a successful entrepreneur, setting up a chain of specialty boutiques called Dans un Jardin which sold mostly perfume, but also jam, and other small delicacies. He also served on the board of directors of several corporations.
Gérald Tremblay and his wife, Suzanne Tailleur, were married on November 24, 1979 and the next year had twins, Marie-Laurence and Georges-Etienne.
that made up the Montreal Urban Community
(MUC) into one single city spanning the entire island of Montreal
, which caused then-mayor Pierre Bourque
, who was associated with orchestrating the merger, to call an election. Tremblay's municipal political party was known as the Montreal Island Citizens Union (now known as Union Montréal
), and his election campaign was based on re-evaluating the merger and decentralizing the city structure.
In the 2001 election, shortly after the towns on the island of Montreal had been forcibly merged into a new Island-wide city of Montreal, Tremblay campaigned as the defender of towns and cities. He received a great deal of support from opponents of the merger. However, in the subsequent referendum on the question of demerger, he was accused of betraying his supporters by coming out strongly in favour of the "no" side, supporting the megacity.
On November 6, 2005, Gérald Tremblay won his second term in office, easily winning against long-time rival Pierre Bourque by 74,646 votes. The voter turn-out estimated at 39.13% was the lowest ever in the history of the Montreal municipal elections. (See Quebec municipal elections, 2005
).
Since he took office, Tremblay has streamlined the city's operations but also generated controversy in some quarters. While his administration improved public consultation mechanisms, it is also considered by many to be one of the most secretive administrations in Montreal history, causing some to declare that the democratic deficit has grown during his tenure despite improvements to consultation. His administration also attempted a radical decentralization of the city by giving more power to the boroughs, but at the same time has come under attack by suburban mayors who decry his clear preference for Montreal to receive a much larger share of the island's tax revenues than it would have before the merger. However, many argue that these boroughs are even less responsive to the public than City Hall
, since they are not required to offer public consultations on their decisions. Nevertheless, the public can (and sometimes does) force referendums on particular bylaw proposals.
, without public consultation. The proposal was approved by City Council in a vote on November 29, 2006. Much of the criticism of the proposal came from residents and businesses who inhabit Avenue du Parc. On February 6, 2007, Mayor Tremblay backed away from his position on Avenue du Parc after losing the support of Bourassa's family. In a press conference on the issue, the mayor claimed to "have learned that the opinion of citizens is important."
Tremblay generally keeps to himself, and is known for avoiding the media.
In 2006, Tremblay was appointed vice president for North America of United Cities and Local Governments
and re-elected vice president of the International Association of Francophone Mayors.
Mayor of Montreal
The Mayor of Montreal is head of the executive branch of Montreal City Council.The Mayor's office administers all city services, public property, police and fire protection, most public agencies, and enforces all city and provincial laws within Montreal....
and as president of the Montreal Metropolitan Community
Greater Montreal Area
Greater Montreal is one of the two metropolitan communities of Quebec.Greater Montreal is the most populous metropolitan area in Québec. As of 2009, Statistics Canada identifies Montréal's Census Metropolitan Area as Canada's second most populous with a population of 3,859,318...
. Before becoming mayor he had a long career in business and management.
Early life and career
Born in OttawaOttawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
, Ontario, Tremblay grew up in Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
, where his family moved when he was four years old. His parents, Georges Albert Tremblay, a notary
Civil law notary
Civil-law notaries, or Latin notaries, are lawyers of noncontentious private civil law who draft, take, and record legal instruments for private parties, provide legal advice and give attendance in person, and are vested as public officers with the authentication power of the State...
, and Rollande Forest, had four boys: Michel, Gérald, Marcel
Marcel Tremblay (Montreal)
Marcel Tremblay is a Canadian politician and a City Councillor in Montreal, Quebec.He ran as a Civic Party of Montreal candidate to the City Council in a 1991 by-election in the district of Notre-Dame-de-Grâce but lost....
, and François. He was admitted to the Bar of Quebec in 1970 after receiving a law degree from the University of Ottawa
University of Ottawa Law
The University of Ottawa, Faculty of Law, sometimes colloquially known as U of O Law, is the law school of the University of Ottawa, located in Ottawa, Ontario. The University of Ottawa Law School is one of Canada's most influential, having produced lawyers throughout French and English Canada...
in 1969, and he later received an MBA from the Harvard Business School
Harvard Business School
Harvard Business School is the graduate business school of Harvard University in Boston, Massachusetts, United States and is widely recognized as one of the top business schools in the world. The school offers the world's largest full-time MBA program, doctoral programs, and many executive...
in 1972. He was in senior management in several financial institutions in Quebec
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....
, such as BDPM and Hydro corporation, until 1989, when he was elected to the National Assembly
34th National Assembly of Quebec
The 34th National Assembly of Quebec is the provincial legislature in Quebec, Canada that existed between September 25, 1989 and September 12, 1994 and was governed by the Quebec Liberal Party led by Robert Bourassa throughout most of the mandate except in the final months of the government prior...
and served as Minister of Industry, Commerce, Science and Technology until 1994, in the government of Robert Bourassa
Robert Bourassa
Jean-Robert Bourassa, was a politician in Quebec, Canada. He served as the 22nd Premier of Quebec in two different mandates, first from May 12, 1970, to November 25, 1976, and then from December 12, 1985, to January 11, 1994, serving a total of just under 15 years as Provincial Premier.-Early...
. After being re-elected to the national assembly
35th National Assembly of Quebec
The 35th National Assembly of Quebec is the provincial legislature in Quebec, Canada that existed between September 12, 1994 and November 30, 1998. The Parti Québécois led by Jacques Parizeau and Lucien Bouchard were in power during this mandate...
in September 1994, he resigned in April 1996.
After his second term in the legislature and until his election as mayor on November 4, 2001, he was a successful entrepreneur, setting up a chain of specialty boutiques called Dans un Jardin which sold mostly perfume, but also jam, and other small delicacies. He also served on the board of directors of several corporations.
Gérald Tremblay and his wife, Suzanne Tailleur, were married on November 24, 1979 and the next year had twins, Marie-Laurence and Georges-Etienne.
Mayoral career
Tremblay ran for mayor of Montreal after the controversial merging of the municipalitiesMunicipal reorganization in Quebec
The most recent episode of municipal reorganization in Quebec, Canada, was undertaken in 2002 by the Parti Québécois Government of Quebec, headed by Premier Lucien Bouchard and his successor Bernard Landry....
that made up the Montreal Urban Community
Montreal Urban Community
The Montreal Urban Community was a regional government that covered all municipalities that later merged into the megacity of Montreal.- History :...
(MUC) into one single city spanning the entire island of Montreal
Island of Montreal
The Island of Montreal , in extreme southwestern Quebec, Canada, is located at the confluence of the Saint Lawrence and Ottawa Rivers. It is separated from Île Jésus by the Rivière des Prairies....
, which caused then-mayor Pierre Bourque
Pierre Bourque (politician)
Pierre Bourque, CQ is a businessman and politician in Quebec, Canada. He founded the Vision Montreal political party and served as mayor of Montreal from 1994 to 2001.-Background:...
, who was associated with orchestrating the merger, to call an election. Tremblay's municipal political party was known as the Montreal Island Citizens Union (now known as Union Montréal
Union Montreal
Union Montreal is a municipal political party in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It currently governs Montreal's city government.-Origins:It was established as the Montreal Island Citizens Union in the aftermath of the province-wide municipal merger of 2001 and not long before the municipal election...
), and his election campaign was based on re-evaluating the merger and decentralizing the city structure.
In the 2001 election, shortly after the towns on the island of Montreal had been forcibly merged into a new Island-wide city of Montreal, Tremblay campaigned as the defender of towns and cities. He received a great deal of support from opponents of the merger. However, in the subsequent referendum on the question of demerger, he was accused of betraying his supporters by coming out strongly in favour of the "no" side, supporting the megacity.
On November 6, 2005, Gérald Tremblay won his second term in office, easily winning against long-time rival Pierre Bourque by 74,646 votes. The voter turn-out estimated at 39.13% was the lowest ever in the history of the Montreal municipal elections. (See Quebec municipal elections, 2005
Quebec municipal elections, 2005
The Canadian province of Quebec held municipal elections in its municipalities on November 6, 2005.The municipalities in Quebec for the 2005 election were different than the previous 2001 election, as many municipalities have voted to de-amalgamate....
).
Since he took office, Tremblay has streamlined the city's operations but also generated controversy in some quarters. While his administration improved public consultation mechanisms, it is also considered by many to be one of the most secretive administrations in Montreal history, causing some to declare that the democratic deficit has grown during his tenure despite improvements to consultation. His administration also attempted a radical decentralization of the city by giving more power to the boroughs, but at the same time has come under attack by suburban mayors who decry his clear preference for Montreal to receive a much larger share of the island's tax revenues than it would have before the merger. However, many argue that these boroughs are even less responsive to the public than City Hall
Montreal City Hall
The five-storey Montreal City Hall is the work of architects Henri-Maurice Perrault and Alexander Cowper Hutchison, and was built between 1872 and 1878 in the Second Empire style. It is located in Old Montreal, between Place Jacques-Cartier and the Champ de Mars, at 275 Notre-Dame Street East...
, since they are not required to offer public consultations on their decisions. Nevertheless, the public can (and sometimes does) force referendums on particular bylaw proposals.
Park Avenue controversy
Tremblay received criticism for his proposal to change the name of Avenue du Parc to Avenue Robert-Bourassa, in honour of former Quebec premier Robert BourassaRobert Bourassa
Jean-Robert Bourassa, was a politician in Quebec, Canada. He served as the 22nd Premier of Quebec in two different mandates, first from May 12, 1970, to November 25, 1976, and then from December 12, 1985, to January 11, 1994, serving a total of just under 15 years as Provincial Premier.-Early...
, without public consultation. The proposal was approved by City Council in a vote on November 29, 2006. Much of the criticism of the proposal came from residents and businesses who inhabit Avenue du Parc. On February 6, 2007, Mayor Tremblay backed away from his position on Avenue du Parc after losing the support of Bourassa's family. In a press conference on the issue, the mayor claimed to "have learned that the opinion of citizens is important."
Tremblay generally keeps to himself, and is known for avoiding the media.
In 2006, Tremblay was appointed vice president for North America of United Cities and Local Governments
United Cities and Local Governments
United Cities and Local Governments is an umbrella organisation for cities, local governments and municipal associations throughout the world...
and re-elected vice president of the International Association of Francophone Mayors.
Municipal election history
| Candidate | Party | Vote | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gérald Tremblay (incumbent) | Union Montréal Union Montreal Union Montreal is a municipal political party in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It currently governs Montreal's city government.-Origins:It was established as the Montreal Island Citizens Union in the aftermath of the province-wide municipal merger of 2001 and not long before the municipal election... |
159,020 | 37.90% | |
| Louise Harel Louise Harel Louise Harel is a Québec politician. In 2005 she served as interim leader of the Parti Québécois following the resignation of Bernard Landry. She was also interim leader of the opposition in the National Assembly of Quebec. She represented the riding of Hochelaga-Maisonneuve in the Montreal region... |
Vision Montréal Vision Montreal Vision Montreal is a municipal political party in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It has been in existence since 1994 and presently forms the Official opposition on Montreal City Council under leader Louise Harel.-Origins:... |
137,301 | 32.73% | |
| Richard Bergeron Richard Bergeron Richard Bergeron is a Canadian politician from Montreal and a previous Mayoral candidate. Bergeron is the leader of Projet Montréal, a municipal political party. He was its mayoralty candidate during the 2009 Montreal municipal election... |
Projet Montréal Projet Montréal Projet Montréal is a municipal political party in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.-Origins:Projet Montréal is possibly the first party since the Montreal Citizens' Movement that was not specifically established to promote a mayoral candidacy. It was created by environmental activists in May... |
106,768 | 25.45% | |
| Louise O'Sullivan Louise O'Sullivan Louise O'Sullivan is a former Montreal city councillor and member of the city's executive committee. She is the founder and leader of Parti Montréal Ville-Marie... |
Parti Montréal – Ville-Marie Parti Montréal Ville-Marie Parti Montréal Ville-Marie is a municipal political party in the city of Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Led by its founder, Louise O'Sullivan, Parti Montréal Ville-Marie was founded on May 31, 2005.... |
8,490 | 2.02% | |
| Michel Bédard | Parti Fierté Montréal Parti Fierté Montréal Parti Fierté Montréal is a small municipal political party in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It fronted its own candidate, Michel Bédard for the mayorship of Montreal in the municipal elections in 2009.During his electoral campaign, Mr... |
5,297 | 1.26% | |
| Michel Prairie | Independent Independent (politician) In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do... |
2,648 | 0.63% |
| Candidate | Party | Vote | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gérald Tremblay (X) | Montreal Island Citizens Union | 227,208 | 53.9 | |
| Pierre Bourque Pierre Bourque (politician) Pierre Bourque, CQ is a businessman and politician in Quebec, Canada. He founded the Vision Montreal political party and served as mayor of Montreal from 1994 to 2001.-Background:... |
Vision Montreal Vision Montreal Vision Montreal is a municipal political party in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It has been in existence since 1994 and presently forms the Official opposition on Montreal City Council under leader Louise Harel.-Origins:... |
152,562 | 36.2 | |
| Richard Bergeron Richard Bergeron Richard Bergeron is a Canadian politician from Montreal and a previous Mayoral candidate. Bergeron is the leader of Projet Montréal, a municipal political party. He was its mayoralty candidate during the 2009 Montreal municipal election... |
Project Montreal | 35,889 | 8.5 | |
| Michel Bédard | White Elephant Party of Montreal | 5,966 | 1.4 |