Paul Gérin-Lajoie
Encyclopedia
Paul Gérin-Lajoie, is a Canadian
lawyer, philanthropist, and a former member of the National Assembly of Quebec
and Cabinet Minister
.
Born in Montréal
, the son of Henri Gérin-Lajoie and Pauline Dorion, he studied at College Jean-de-Brébeuf
, where he was editor of the school paper, the Université de Montréal
, and Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar, where he received a Doctor of Laws degree. He was admitted to the Bar of Quebec in 1943.
He ran unsuccessfully as a Liberal candidate in the riding of Vaudreuil-Soulanges
in the 1956 election
and in a 1957 by-election.
In 1958, he ran again unsuccessfully for the leader of the Liberal party. He was elected in Vaudreuil-Soulanges in the 1960
election and was re-elected in 1962
and 1966
. From 1960 to 1964 he was the Minister of Youth in the cabinet of Jean Lesage
and in 1964 became the first person since 1875 to be appointed Minister of Education, serving in that position until 1966. As Minister of Education he was the driving force behind major changes made to Quebec's education system. He did not run for re-election in 1970.
Gérin-Lajoie was president of the Canadian International Development Agency
from 1970 to 1977.
He founded the Paul Gérin-Lajoie Foundation, in 1977, an organization that has contributed to the basic education of children in the poorest countries in addition to raising awareness of these international countries among primary school children in Canada.
"in recognition of his distinguished services to his country, chiefly as president of the Canadian International Development Agency from 1970 to 1977, and as deputy premier and minister of education of the Government of Québec from 1960 to 1966". In 1987, he was made an Officer of the National Order of Quebec
and was promoted to Grand Officer in 1998. In 2002, he was made a Knight of the Order of the Legion of Honour
by the Government of France.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
lawyer, philanthropist, and a former member of the National Assembly of Quebec
National Assembly of Quebec
The National Assembly of Quebec is the legislative body of the Province of Quebec. The Lieutenant Governor and the National Assembly compose the Parliament of Quebec, which operates in a fashion similar to those of other British-style parliamentary systems.The National Assembly was formerly the...
and Cabinet Minister
Executive Council of Quebec
The Executive Council of Quebec is the cabinet of the government of Quebec, Canada....
.
Born in Montréal
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...
, the son of Henri Gérin-Lajoie and Pauline Dorion, he studied at College Jean-de-Brébeuf
Collège Jean-de-Brébeuf
Collège Jean-de-Brébeuf is a private French-language educational institution offering secondary school and CEGEP college-level instruction in Montreal, Quebec. It is a co-ed establishment for students in their final year of secondary school and in college. It is boys-only in the first four years...
, where he was editor of the school paper, the 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 Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar, where he received a Doctor of Laws degree. He was admitted to the Bar of Quebec in 1943.
He ran unsuccessfully as a Liberal candidate in the riding of Vaudreuil-Soulanges
Vaudreuil-Soulanges (provincial electoral district)
Vaudreuil-Soulangers was a provincial electoral district in the province of Quebec, Canada. Located in the Montérégie region, the riding was formed in 1939 following a merger of Vaudreuil and Soulanges it was split in 1989 in two ridings: Vaudreuil and Salaberry-Soulanges which later became...
in the 1956 election
Quebec general election, 1956
The Quebec general election of 1956 was held on June 20, 1956 to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of Quebec, Canada. The incumbent Union Nationale, led by Maurice Duplessis, won re-election, defeating the Quebec Liberal Party, led by Georges-Émile Lapalme.This was the fifth and final...
and in a 1957 by-election.
In 1958, he ran again unsuccessfully for the leader of the Liberal party. He was elected in Vaudreuil-Soulanges in the 1960
Quebec general election, 1960
The Quebec general election of 1960 was held on June 22, 1960 to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of Quebec, Canada. It was one of the most significant elections in Quebec history, rivalled perhaps only by the 1976 general election...
election and was re-elected in 1962
Quebec general election, 1962
The Quebec general election of 1962 was held on November 14, 1962, to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Quebec, Canada. The incumbent Quebec Liberal Party, led by Jean Lesage, won re-election, defeating the Union Nationale led by Daniel Johnson, Sr..In an unusual move,...
and 1966
Quebec general election, 1966
The Quebec general election of 1966 was held on June 5, 1966, to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of Quebec, Canada. The Union Nationale , led by Daniel Johnson, Sr, defeated the incumbent Quebec Liberal Party, led by Jean Lesage....
. From 1960 to 1964 he was the Minister of Youth in the cabinet of Jean Lesage
Jean Lesage
Jean Lesage, PC, CC, CD was a lawyer and politician in Quebec, Canada. He served as the 19th Premier of Quebec from 22 June 1960, to 16 August 1966...
and in 1964 became the first person since 1875 to be appointed Minister of Education, serving in that position until 1966. As Minister of Education he was the driving force behind major changes made to Quebec's education system. He did not run for re-election in 1970.
Gérin-Lajoie was president of the Canadian International Development Agency
Canadian International Development Agency
The Canadian International Development Agency was formed in 1968 by the Canadian government. CIDA administers foreign aid programs in developing countries, and operates in partnership with other Canadian organizations in the public and private sectors as well as other international organizations...
from 1970 to 1977.
He founded the Paul Gérin-Lajoie Foundation, in 1977, an organization that has contributed to the basic education of children in the poorest countries in addition to raising awareness of these international countries among primary school children in Canada.
Honours
In 1979, he was made a Companion of the Order of CanadaOrder of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
"in recognition of his distinguished services to his country, chiefly as president of the Canadian International Development Agency from 1970 to 1977, and as deputy premier and minister of education of the Government of Québec from 1960 to 1966". In 1987, he was made an Officer of the National Order of Quebec
National Order of Quebec
The National Order of Quebec, termed officially in French as l'Ordre national du Québec, and in English abbreviation as the Order of Quebec, is a civilian honour for merit in the Canadian province of Quebec...
and was promoted to Grand Officer in 1998. In 2002, he was made a Knight of the Order of the Legion of Honour
Légion d'honneur
The Legion of Honour, or in full the National Order of the Legion of Honour is a French order established by Napoleon Bonaparte, First Consul of the Consulat which succeeded to the First Republic, on 19 May 1802...
by the Government of France.
Electoral record (partial)
External links
- Paul GÉRIN-LAJOIE at Assemblée nationale du Québec
- Fondation Paul Gérin-Lajoie