Louise Beaudoin
Encyclopedia
Louise Beaudoin is a Canadian politician, who represents the electoral district
of Rosemont
in the National Assembly of Quebec
, initially as a member of the Parti Québécois
(PQ), and since June 6, 2011, as an independent. She is best known for her previous tenure as MNA
of Chambly
, from 1994 to 2003, when she occupied various ministerial positions.
and a master's degree in sociology
at the Sorbonne
. As a student, like many contemporaries, she was associated with Quebec separatists.
In the 1970s, she worked at the École nationale d'administration publique
(ENAP). She was also director of Claude Morin
's office. Posted to the Délégation générale du Québec à Paris from 1984–1985, she was close to René Lévesque
in the last years of his life.
Beaudoin was elected as a péquiste
in the riding of Chambly
in 1994, and re-elected in 1998.
During her time as MNA of Chambly, Beaudoin had several portfolios. At various times she was the minister responsible for the Charter of the French Language
, international relations
, intergovernmental relations, La Francophonie, Culture and Communications, and globalization
. She received some English press coverage for her spirited defence of Bill 101 on an episode of 60 Minutes
. Her stringent enforcement of Bill 101 didn't play well with the Anglophone communities in Quebec, and she was famously portrayed as a leather-clad dominatrix
by popular Montreal Gazette
cartoonist
Aislin. On several occasions she has made controversial remarks about culture, claiming, for example, that multiculturalism
is a Canadian value but not a Quebec one. With Sheila Copps
, the Minister for Canadian Heritage, Beaudoin also worked for the adoption of the UNESCO Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity, voted on after the September 11 attacks in 2001. The same year, she accused the federal government of lying for not permitting Quebec premier Bernard Landry
to participate in the Summit of the Americas
.
After eight years as MNA of Chambly, Beaudoin was defeated by the Liberal
Diane Legault
in 2003. Her defeat was largely attributed to anti-PQ resentment in the Saint-Bruno area of the riding as a result of Bill 170
.
After her departure from the National Assembly, she joined the Université du Québec à Montréal
as a professor and there continued her studies into globalization
.
She was decorated as a commandeur of the Légion d'honneur
on September 23, 2004.
She did not run for the PQ in the riding of Chambly in the 2007 elections
and her assistant Bertrand St-Arnaud
tried to win the seat but lost to adéquiste
Richard Merlini
.
Beaudoin returned to the political scene in December 8, 2008 by getting elected in Rosemont
to succeed the resigned Rita Dionne-Marsolais
.
As of 2008, Beaudoin was a host and journalist on Radio-Canada's series 5 sur 5, which answers viewers' questions about a wide variety of topics. She has also served as director of the board for Théâtre Espace Go
.
On January 20, 2009, Beaudoin, along with fellow PQ member François Rebello
, attended the inauguration of Barack Obama
in Washington, D.C.
On June 6, 2011, Beaudoin and caucus mates Lisette Lapointe
and Pierre Curzi
resigned from the Parti Québécois to sit as independents over the PQ's acceptance of a bill changing the law to permit an agreement between the City of Québec
and Quebecor
Inc. concerning the construction of an arena in Quebec City.
Electoral district
An electoral district is a distinct territorial subdivision for holding a separate election for one or more seats in a legislative body...
of Rosemont
Rosemont (provincial electoral district)
Rosemont is a provincial electoral district in Quebec, Canada that elects members to the National Assembly of Quebec. The district is located in Montreal. Its boundaries are Dickson Street and Lacordaire Boulevard to the east. Sherbrooke Street to the south, the Canadian Pacific Railway and 6th...
in 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...
, initially as a member of the Parti Québécois
Parti Québécois
The Parti Québécois is a centre-left political party that advocates national sovereignty for the province of Quebec and secession from Canada. The Party traditionally has support from the labour movement. Unlike many other social-democratic parties, its ties with the labour movement are informal...
(PQ), and since June 6, 2011, as an independent. She is best known for her previous tenure as MNA
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...
of Chambly
Chambly (provincial electoral district)
Chambly is a provincial electoral district in the province of Quebec, Canada. Situated in the Montérégie region south of Montreal, the riding was created in 1829...
, from 1994 to 2003, when she occupied various ministerial positions.
Biography
Beaudoin earned a master's degree in history from Université LavalUniversité Laval
Laval University is the oldest centre of education in Canada and was the first institution in North America to offer higher education in French...
and a master's degree in sociology
Sociology
Sociology is the study of society. It is a social science—a term with which it is sometimes synonymous—which uses various methods of empirical investigation and critical analysis to develop a body of knowledge about human social activity...
at the Sorbonne
Sorbonne
The Sorbonne is an edifice of the Latin Quarter, in Paris, France, which has been the historical house of the former University of Paris...
. As a student, like many contemporaries, she was associated with Quebec separatists.
In the 1970s, she worked at the École nationale d'administration publique
École nationale d'administration publique
The École nationale d'administration publique , located in Quebec City, Quebec, was established in 1969 by the Quebec government, as a way of obtaining a professional public administration during a period when a number of social and structural changes were taking place within the province...
(ENAP). She was also director of Claude Morin
Claude Morin
Claude Morin may refer to:*Claude Morin , Parti Québécois Member of the Quebec legislature and Cabinet Member, 1976–1982*Claude Morin , ADQ Member of the Quebec legislature, 2007–...
's office. Posted to the Délégation générale du Québec à Paris from 1984–1985, she was close to René Lévesque
René Lévesque
René Lévesque was a reporter, a minister of the government of Quebec, , the founder of the Parti Québécois political party and the 23rd Premier of Quebec...
in the last years of his life.
Beaudoin was elected as a péquiste
Parti Québécois
The Parti Québécois is a centre-left political party that advocates national sovereignty for the province of Quebec and secession from Canada. The Party traditionally has support from the labour movement. Unlike many other social-democratic parties, its ties with the labour movement are informal...
in the riding of Chambly
Chambly (provincial electoral district)
Chambly is a provincial electoral district in the province of Quebec, Canada. Situated in the Montérégie region south of Montreal, the riding was created in 1829...
in 1994, and re-elected in 1998.
During her time as MNA of Chambly, Beaudoin had several portfolios. At various times she was the minister responsible for the Charter of the French Language
Charter of the French Language
The Charter of the French Language , also known as Bill 101 and Loi 101, is a law in the province of Quebec in Canada defining French, the language of the majority of the population, as the only official language of Quebec, and framing fundamental language rights for everyone in the province...
, international relations
International relations
International relations is the study of relationships between countries, including the roles of states, inter-governmental organizations , international nongovernmental organizations , non-governmental organizations and multinational corporations...
, intergovernmental relations, La Francophonie, Culture and Communications, and globalization
Globalization
Globalization refers to the increasingly global relationships of culture, people and economic activity. Most often, it refers to economics: the global distribution of the production of goods and services, through reduction of barriers to international trade such as tariffs, export fees, and import...
. She received some English press coverage for her spirited defence of Bill 101 on an episode of 60 Minutes
60 Minutes
60 Minutes is an American television news magazine, which has run on CBS since 1968. The program was created by producer Don Hewitt who set it apart by using a unique style of reporter-centered investigation....
. Her stringent enforcement of Bill 101 didn't play well with the Anglophone communities in Quebec, and she was famously portrayed as a leather-clad dominatrix
Dominatrix
Dominatrix or mistress is a woman or women who takes the dominant role in bondage, discipline and sadomasochism, or BDSM. A common form of address for a submissive to a dominatrix is "mistress", "ma'am", "domina" or "maîtresse"...
by popular Montreal Gazette
The Gazette (Montreal)
The Gazette, often called the Montreal Gazette to avoid ambiguity, is the only English-language daily newspaper published in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, with three other daily English newspapers all having shut down at different times during the second half of the 20th century.-History:In 1778,...
cartoonist
Editorial cartoon
An editorial cartoon, also known as a political cartoon, is an illustration containing a commentary that usually relates to current events or personalities....
Aislin. On several occasions she has made controversial remarks about culture, claiming, for example, that multiculturalism
Multiculturalism
Multiculturalism is the appreciation, acceptance or promotion of multiple cultures, applied to the demographic make-up of a specific place, usually at the organizational level, e.g...
is a Canadian value but not a Quebec one. With Sheila Copps
Sheila Copps
Sheila Maureen Copps, PC is a former Canadian politician who also served as Deputy Prime Minister of Canada from November 4, 1993 to April 30, 1996 and June 19, 1996 to June 11, 1997....
, the Minister for Canadian Heritage, Beaudoin also worked for the adoption of the UNESCO Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity, voted on after the September 11 attacks in 2001. The same year, she accused the federal government of lying for not permitting Quebec premier Bernard Landry
Bernard Landry
Bernard Landry, is a Quebec lawyer, teacher, politician, who served as the 28th Premier of Quebec , leader of the Opposition and leader of the Parti Québécois .-Personal:...
to participate in the Summit of the Americas
Summit of the Americas
The Summits of the Americas is a series of international summit meetings bringing together the leaders of countries in North America, Central America, South America and the Caribbean. Neither the elderly leader nor a representative from Cuba participated in this summit...
.
After eight years as MNA of Chambly, Beaudoin was defeated by the Liberal
Parti libéral du Québec
The Quebec Liberal Party is a centre-right political party in Quebec. It has been independent of the federal Liberal Party of Canada since 1955....
Diane Legault
Diane Legault
Diane Legault is a Quebec dentist and politician.She was the member of the National Assembly for Chambly in Quebec. She represented the Liberal Party of Quebec and resigned on November 15, 2006. On November 7, 2006, she was elected President of the Ordre des dentistes du Québec, the professional...
in 2003. Her defeat was largely attributed to anti-PQ resentment in the Saint-Bruno area of the riding as a result of Bill 170
Municipal 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....
.
After her departure from the National Assembly, she joined the Université du Québec à Montréal
Université du Québec à Montréal
The Université du Québec à Montréal is one of four universities in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.-Basic facts:The UQAM is the largest constituent element of the Université du Québec , a public university system with other branches in Gatineau , Rimouski, Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec City, Chicoutimi, and...
as a professor and there continued her studies into globalization
Globalization
Globalization refers to the increasingly global relationships of culture, people and economic activity. Most often, it refers to economics: the global distribution of the production of goods and services, through reduction of barriers to international trade such as tariffs, export fees, and import...
.
She was decorated as a commandeur of the Légion d'honneur
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...
on September 23, 2004.
She did not run for the PQ in the riding of Chambly in the 2007 elections
Quebec general election, 2007
The Quebec general election of 2007 was held in the Canadian province of Quebec on March 26, 2007 to elect members of the 38th National Assembly of Quebec. The Quebec Liberal Party led by Jean Charest managed to win a plurality of seats, but were reduced to a minority government, Quebec's first in...
and her assistant Bertrand St-Arnaud
Bertrand St-Arnaud
Bertrand St-Arnaud is a politician in the Canadian province of Quebec, who was elected to represent the riding of Chambly in the National Assembly of Quebec in the 2008 provincial election...
tried to win the seat but lost to adéquiste
Action démocratique du Québec
The Action démocratique du Québec, commonly referred to as the ADQ is a centre-right political party in Quebec, Canada. On the sovereignty question, it defines itself as autonomist, and has support from both soft nationalists and federalists....
Richard Merlini
Richard Merlini
Richard Merlini is a politician from Quebec, Canada. He was an Action démocratique du Québec member of the National Assembly for the electoral district of Chambly from 2007 to 2008....
.
Beaudoin returned to the political scene in December 8, 2008 by getting elected in Rosemont
Rosemont (provincial electoral district)
Rosemont is a provincial electoral district in Quebec, Canada that elects members to the National Assembly of Quebec. The district is located in Montreal. Its boundaries are Dickson Street and Lacordaire Boulevard to the east. Sherbrooke Street to the south, the Canadian Pacific Railway and 6th...
to succeed the resigned Rita Dionne-Marsolais
Rita Dionne-Marsolais
Rita Dionne-Marsolais is a former Quebec politician and economist. She was the Member of National Assembly of Quebec for the riding of Rosemont in the Montreal region and represented the Parti Québécois from 1994 to 2008.Dionne-Marsolais went at the Université de Montréal and obtained a bachelor's...
.
As of 2008, Beaudoin was a host and journalist on Radio-Canada's series 5 sur 5, which answers viewers' questions about a wide variety of topics. She has also served as director of the board for Théâtre Espace Go
Théâtre Espace Go
Théâtre Espace Go is a theatre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Founded in 1985 as the feminist Théâtre Expérimental des Femmes, the company changed its name to Théâtre Espace Go in 1994 and broadened its mandate.In 1988, it received the Grand Prix from the Conseil des arts de Montréal for its...
.
On January 20, 2009, Beaudoin, along with fellow PQ member François Rebello
François Rebello
François Rebello is a politician in the Canadian province of Quebec, who was elected to represent the riding of La Prairie in the National Assembly of Quebec in the 2008 provincial election. He is a member of the Parti Québécois....
, attended the inauguration of Barack Obama
Inauguration of Barack Obama
The inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States took place on Tuesday, January 20, 2009. The inauguration, which set a record attendance for any event held in Washington, D.C., marked the commencement of the four-year term of Barack Obama as President and Joe...
in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
On June 6, 2011, Beaudoin and caucus mates Lisette Lapointe
Lisette Lapointe
Lisette Lapointe is a Quebec politician, journalist and teacher, currently sitting as an independent. She is the wife of Jacques Parizeau, former Premier of Quebec, Canada...
and Pierre Curzi
Pierre Curzi
Pierre Curzi is an actor, screenwriter and politician in Quebec, Canada. He is the Member of the National Assembly of Quebec for the riding of Borduas in the Montérégie region south of Montreal...
resigned from the Parti Québécois to sit as independents over the PQ's acceptance of a bill changing the law to permit an agreement between the City of Québec
Quebec City
Quebec , also Québec, Quebec City or Québec City is the capital of the Canadian province of Quebec and is located within the Capitale-Nationale region. It is the second most populous city in Quebec after Montreal, which is about to the southwest...
and Quebecor
Quebecor
Quebecor Inc. is a communications company based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It was founded by Pierre Péladeau, and remains run by his family. Quebecor Inc. owns 55% of Quebecor Media Inc...
Inc. concerning the construction of an arena in Quebec City.