Lucien Bouchard
Lucien Bouchard, born on December 22, 1938 in Saint-Coeur-de-Marie, Quebec, is a Quebec lawyer and sovereigntist politician who was Leader of Opposition in Ottawa (1993 - 1996) and Premier of Quebec (January 29, 1996 - March 8, 2001). He is the brother of noted historian Gérard Bouchard and a recipient of the title of Commander of the French Legion of Honour.
Biography
Origins
Bouchard graduated from Jonquière Classical College in 1959 and then went on to obtain a Bachelor's degree in social science and a law degree at Laval University in 1964. Having worked for the Liberal Party of Quebec's campaign of 1970, he became a sovereignist shortly after, influenced in part because of Pierre Trudeau's imposition of martial law during the October Crisis. He was a great admirer of Premier René Lévesque (Bouchard would later make an habit of quoting Lévesque in speeches) and worked with the Yes side during the 1980 Quebec referendum on sovereignty. In 1985 he was appointed ambassador to France by Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, a then close friend of his whom he had met in Laval University. He then joined Mulroney's cabinet as secretary of state and later minister of the environment (1988-1990). While still a strong Quebec nationalist, he converged with Mulroney on the belief that, with a new constitutional arrangement, Quebec's position within Canada could be improved. His stance of the 1980s, endorsing renewed federalism instead of separatism, has been called a symptom of the Post-Referendum Syndrome that existed among Quebec nationalists at that time.
Founding the Bloc Québécois
In 1990, greatly offended by failure of the Meech Lake Accord, he resigned from the Tories and, with a group of dissident MPs, formed the sovereignist Bloc Québécois. This made Bouchard immensely popular in Quebec. The Parti Québécois (PQ; the Quebec provincial party in favour of independence) campaigned for the Bloc in the 1993 Canadian election, hoping for a massive success of the federal party to prepare sovereignty, according to the Three Periods strategy of PQ leader Jacques Parizeau. With the Quebec outrage about Meech (and rising support for independence), Bouchard's popularity, the collapse of the Tories and liberal leader Jean Chrétien's continued unpopularity in his home province, the Bloc swept Quebec, winning most of its ridings (54 out of 75). Bouchard became the first separatist leader of the Opposition and headed the Bloc caucus in Parliament from 1993 to 1996. In December 1994, he lost a leg to necrotizing fasciitis ("flesh-eating disease"), becoming possibly the most famous victim of this rare disease.
Referendum on sovereignty
In 1995, Bouchard signed, as Bloc leader, a tripartite agreement with Parti Québécois leader Jacques Parizeau and Action Démocratique leader Mario Dumont, which mapped the way to the referendum on independence. Faithful to René Lévesque's beliefs, he was instrumental in convincing Parizeau of including a plan of association with Canada in the referendum question. He campaigned with the other two leaders for the Yes side. Quebec premier Jacques Parizeau first led the Yes campaign but, as support for sovereignty began to reach a plateau, the more popular Bouchard was given the official leadership. A charismatic, efficient and poetic wordsmith, his popularity was also caused by the hero status that his departure from the government and rescue from disease conferred him. The referendum gathered support of 49.42 per cent of the electorate, a feat often attributed to Bouchard personally, although it is disputed.
Premier of Quebec
After the Yes side lost the referendum Parizeau resigned as Quebec premier and Bouchard replaced him. He thus resigned his own seat in Parliament in 1996 and became the leader of the Parti Québécois and premier of Quebec. On the matter of sovereignty, while in office, he stated that proper circumstances, the conditions gagnantes (winning conditions), would need to be in place before holding another referendum. During his presence as leader of government, these conditions did not arise and no referendum was held. A main concern of the Bouchard government, also considered part of the conditions gagnantes, was economic recovery through the achievement of "zero deficit" (the previous Liberal government had left a substantial deficit in the provincial budget). The deficit was eliminated in 1999, one year earlier than anticipated.
Retirement
Bouchard retired from politics in 2001 and was replaced by Bernard Landry as Quebec premier. He stated that his failure to revive the sovereignist flame was a cause of his departure, something he took responsibility for in a poignant farewell speech. Others have speculated that the Michaud Affair was another factor. Since then, he has begun a law practice again and kept a very low public profile, almost never commenting on politics or public affairs. He is married to Audrey Best (born 1960), a California-born airline stewardess he met on an international flight. They have two children, Alexandre and Simon.
Legacy
Controversial aspects of his government were cuts to health care (to reach zero deficit) and the amalgamation of Quebec's larger cities. Also, some have criticized that he did not push strongly enough for Quebec sovereignty during his time in office, especially the Purs et Durs (hardline) independentists, with whom his leadership met difficulties. More widely acclaimed aspects of his legacy include the creation of a low-cost, universal public daycare system, the birth of Emploi-Québec, lowered unemployment rates, a resurgent Quebec economy, and achieving a balanced budget. He is remembered for his sometimes "short fuse" when provoked, but also for his charms, eloquence and culture.
Quotes
- More than ever, it will be imperative to remind all that the sovereignist way is one of generosity, of tolerance, and openness. (listen)
- "Plus que jamais, il faudra rappeler que la démarche souverainiste en est une de générosité, de tolérance, et d'ouverture."
- The Quebec people possesses all the assets to achieve an enviable place in the concert of nations (i.e.: the international community). At the only condition of repatriating all of its public resources, rather than dispersing them on two conflicting fronts. (listen)
- "Le peuple québécois possède tous les atouts pour se tailler une place enviable dans le concert des nations. À la seule condition de rapatrier toutes ses ressources publiques, plutôt que de les disperser sur deux fronts conflictuels."
Elections as party leader
He won the 1998 election and resigned in 2001.
See also
