Jean Marchand

The Honourable Senator Jean Marchand, PC (December 20 1918 - August 28 1988) was a well known French Canadian public figure, trade unionist and politician in Quebec, Canada.

Related Topics:
The Honourable - Senator - PC - December 20 - 1918 - August 28 - 1988 - French Canadian - Trade union - Quebec - Canada

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During the 1949 Asbestos Strike in Quebec, Marchand led the striking workers as secretary of the Catholic Workers Confederation of Canada (CCCL). It was during this time that he met Pierre Trudeau. Marchand was approached to be a Liberal candidate in the federal election of 1963, but disagreements scuttled a run that year.

Related Topics:
1949 - Asbestos Strike - Quebec - Catholic Workers Confederation of Canada - Pierre Trudeau - Liberal - Federal election of 1963

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In the 1965 federal election, Marchand along with Gérard Pelletier and Trudeau, was persuaded to run as Liberal candidates. Dubbed the "Three Wise Men" in English, and les trois colombes (three doves) in French, they were seen as destined to shake Canadian politics. Trudeau and Pelletier were provided "safe" ridings in Montreal while Marchand won a hard fight in Quebec City for his riding. Marchand was given a post in the government of Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson promptly after winning the election.

Related Topics:
1965 federal election - Gérard Pelletier - Montreal - Quebec City - Prime Minister - Lester B. Pearson

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When Pearson retired in 1968, Marchand was seen as the likely and strongest Quebec candidate to replace him. He declined to run for the Liberal party leadership, claiming that his English was not good enough. It then fell upon Trudeau to make a credible run by a French Canadian for the leadership of the Liberal party. Trudeau won the Liberal leadership and the 1968 federal election.

Related Topics:
1968 - Liberal leadership - 1968 federal election

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In the Trudeau government, Marchand held a variety of posts. In October 1976, he resigned his seat in the House of Commons over a disagreement with the government position regarding the use of French language by air traffic controllers in Quebec. Presenting himself as an opponent of the separatist program of the Parti Québécois, he stood unsuccessfully as a candidate in the 1976 Quebec provincial election, which the Parti Québécois won.

Related Topics:
1976 - Seat - Parti Québécois - 1976 Quebec provincial election

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Marchand was appointed to the Senate less than a month later, and became Speaker of the Canadian Senate in 1980. He was inducted into the Order of Canada in 1986.

Related Topics:
Senate - Speaker of the Canadian Senate - 1980 - Order of Canada - 1986

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