Maurice LeClair
Encyclopedia
J. Maurice LeClair, CC
(born June 19, 1927) is a Canadian
physician, businessman, civil servant
, and academic.
Born in Sayabec
, Quebec
, he received a Bachelor of Science
degree in 1947 and a Doctor of Medicine
degree in 1951 from McGill University
. In 1953, he became a General Practitioner
in Shawinigan, Quebec
. In 1955, he became a Fellow at the Mayo Clinic
and received a Master of Science
in Medicine in 1958 from the University of Minnesota
. Returning to Canada in 1958, he became a consulting internist at the Notre Dame Hospital.
In 1962, he became Vice Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at the Université de Montréal
and Head of the department in 1965. In 1968, he became Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at the Université de Sherbrooke
. From 1968 to 1970, he was Vice President of the Medical Research Council of Canada.
From 1970 to 1974, LeClair was Deputy Minister
of Health
. In 1974, he joined the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Treasury Board
in 1976.
In 1979, he joined the Canadian National Railway
as a Corporate Vice President becoming President and Chief Executive Officer from 1982 to 1986. From 1987 to 1992, he was the Vice-Chairman of CIBC.
Order 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...
(born June 19, 1927) is a Canadian
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...
physician, businessman, civil servant
Civil service
The term civil service has two distinct meanings:* A branch of governmental service in which individuals are employed on the basis of professional merit as proven by competitive examinations....
, and academic.
Born in Sayabec
Sayabec, Quebec
Sayabec is a small Quebec municipality located in the La Matapédia Regional County Municipality in the Bas-Saint-Laurent region in the southeastern part of the province. Founded in 1894, the population according to the municipality's website was 1,877 in 2006...
, 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....
, he received a Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
degree in 1947 and a Doctor of Medicine
Doctor of Medicine
Doctor of Medicine is a doctoral degree for physicians. The degree is granted by medical schools...
degree in 1951 from McGill University
McGill University
Mohammed Fathy is a public research university located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The university bears the name of James McGill, a prominent Montreal merchant from Glasgow, Scotland, whose bequest formed the beginning of the university...
. In 1953, he became a General Practitioner
General practitioner
A general practitioner is a medical practitioner who treats acute and chronic illnesses and provides preventive care and health education for all ages and both sexes. They have particular skills in treating people with multiple health issues and comorbidities...
in Shawinigan, Quebec
Shawinigan, Quebec
Shawinigan is a city located on the Saint-Maurice River in the Mauricie area in Quebec, Canada. It has a population of approximately 51,904 people ....
. In 1955, he became a Fellow at the Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic is a not-for-profit medical practice and medical research group specializing in treating difficult patients . Patients are referred to Mayo Clinic from across the U.S. and the world, and it is known for innovative and effective treatments. Mayo Clinic is known for being at the top of...
and received a Master of Science
Master of Science
A Master of Science is a postgraduate academic master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The degree is typically studied for in the sciences including the social sciences.-Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay:...
in Medicine in 1958 from the University of Minnesota
University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities is a public research university located in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. It is the oldest and largest part of the University of Minnesota system and has the fourth-largest main campus student body in the United States, with 52,557...
. Returning to Canada in 1958, he became a consulting internist at the Notre Dame Hospital.
In 1962, he became Vice Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at 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 Head of the department in 1965. In 1968, he became Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at the Université de Sherbrooke
Université de Sherbrooke
The Université de Sherbrooke is a large university with campuses located in Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada and Longueuil, a suburb of Montreal approximately west of Sherbrooke. It is one of two universities, and the only French language university, in the Estrie region of Quebec.In 2007, the...
. From 1968 to 1970, he was Vice President of the Medical Research Council of Canada.
From 1970 to 1974, LeClair was Deputy Minister
Deputy Minister (Canada)
In Canada, a deputy minister is the senior civil servant in a government department. He or she takes political direction from an elected minister. Responsibility for the department's day-to-day operations, budget and program development lie with the deputy minister...
of Health
Minister of Health (Canada)
The Minister of Health is the Minister of the Crown in the Canadian Cabinet who is responsible for overseeing the federal government's health department and the enforcing the Public Health Agency of Canada, Canada Health Act, the law governing Medicare...
. In 1974, he joined the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Treasury Board
Treasury Board
The Treasury Board is the Government of Canada's only statutory Cabinet committee and is responsible for the federal civil service much of the operation of the Canadian government. Among its specific duties are negotiating labour agreements with the public service unions and serving as Comptroller...
in 1976.
In 1979, he joined the Canadian National Railway
Canadian National Railway
The Canadian National Railway Company is a Canadian Class I railway headquartered in Montreal, Quebec. CN's slogan is "North America's Railroad"....
as a Corporate Vice President becoming President and Chief Executive Officer from 1982 to 1986. From 1987 to 1992, he was the Vice-Chairman of CIBC.
Honours
- In 1980, he was made an Officer of the Order of CanadaOrder of CanadaThe 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 1985, he was promoted to Companion of the Order of Canada.
- In 2004, he was inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of FameCanadian Medical Hall of FameThe Canadian Medical Hall of Fame is a Canadian charitable organization, founded in 1994, that honours Canadians who have contributed to the understanding of disease and improving the health of people. It has a museum in London, Ontario, and has an annual induction ceremony.-2012:*Terry Fox*John...
.