John Samuel Bourque
Encyclopedia
John Samuel Bourque was a Quebec
politician
, Cabinet Minister, military member and businessman. He was the Member of Legislative Assembly of Quebec
for the riding of Sherbrooke for 25 years.
Born in Sherbrooke, Quebec
, Bourque studied at the Petit Séminaire de Saint-Charles-Borromée in Sherbrooke, before being enrolled in the 22nd (French Canadian) Battalion, CEF, as a soldier and sergeant where he participated in World War I
in the United Kingdom
. He was also a colonel, sergeant, major and lieutenant-colonel for the Sherbrooke Fusilliers. He retired from the military service in 1943. While being in military duties, he was also a businessman running a lumber store.
Bourque was first elected in 1935
as a member of the Action libérale nationale
which shortly after was merged with the Quebec Conservative Party to form the Union Nationale. He was re-elected for six additional terms until the 1960
elections in which he lost to the Quebec Liberal Party candidate. He served for several ministries in the Maurice Duplessis
Cabinet
. He was the Minister
of Public Works
from 1936 to 1939, Minister of Land and Forests from 1938 to 1939 and from 1944 to 1958, Minister of Hydraulic Resources from 1945 to 1958 and Minister of Finances from 1958 to 1960.
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...
, Cabinet Minister, military member and businessman. He was the Member of 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 riding of Sherbrooke for 25 years.
Born in Sherbrooke, 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....
, Bourque studied at the Petit Séminaire de Saint-Charles-Borromée in Sherbrooke, before being enrolled in the 22nd (French Canadian) Battalion, CEF, as a soldier and sergeant where he participated in World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. He was also a colonel, sergeant, major and lieutenant-colonel for the Sherbrooke Fusilliers. He retired from the military service in 1943. While being in military duties, he was also a businessman running a lumber store.
Bourque was first elected in 1935
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 Action libérale nationale
Action libérale nationale
The Action libérale nationale was a short-lived provincial political party in Quebec, Canada. It was founded during the Great Depression and led by Paul Gouin. The ALN played an important role in the foundation of the Union Nationale.-Origin and beliefs:The party was created in 1934 by...
which shortly after was merged with the Quebec Conservative Party to form the Union Nationale. He was re-elected for six additional terms until 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...
elections in which he lost to the Quebec Liberal Party candidate. He served for several ministries in the 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...
Cabinet
Cabinet (government)
A Cabinet is a body of high ranking government officials, typically representing the executive branch. It can also sometimes be referred to as the Council of Ministers, an Executive Council, or an Executive Committee.- Overview :...
. He was the 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 Public Works
Public works
Public works are a broad category of projects, financed and constructed by the government, for recreational, employment, and health and safety uses in the greater community...
from 1936 to 1939, Minister of Land and Forests from 1938 to 1939 and from 1944 to 1958, Minister of Hydraulic Resources from 1945 to 1958 and Minister of Finances from 1958 to 1960.