Nicolas Girard
Encyclopedia
Nicolas Girard is a politician in Quebec
, Canada
, and member of the National Assembly of Quebec
. He was elected to the National Assembly in a by-election
as a Parti Québécois
member on September 20, 2004 in riding of Gouin
in the Montreal region.
.
As a student of Collège Édouard-Montpetit
, Girard was involved in the Parti Québécois local cell. He was then elected president of the student college association. He fought against budget cuts made by the Canadian federal government.
During the 1995 Quebec referendum
, he founded a student organization supporting the yes side. He gave several speeches along with PQ leader, Jacques Parizeau
.
Girard has a bachelor's degree
in political sciences at the Université de Montréal
and did studies for the master's degree
in industrial relations.
During his stay at the Université de Montréal, he was elected leader of student association - Fédération des associations étudiantes du campus de l'Université de Montréal
(FAÉCUM).
He is a former student activist, notably organizing student rallies against former minister Lloyd Axworthy
's cuts in education. He then became the president-elect of the Federation des associations étudiantes du campus de l'Université de Montréal (FAECUM). FAECUM supported the yes side during the 1995 Quebec referendum.
, André Boisclair
and Sylvain Simard
as a press secretary.
At the 2003 provincial election
, he was appointed as the deputy communication director for the campaign. Following the PQ's defeat, he was hired by the Confédération des syndicats nationaux
(CSN), as a communication specialist. He also joinded Pauline Marois
's organization as an advisor, in her attempt to quickly replace Bernard Landry
.
's resignation, he ran for the PQ in the Gouin riding. In the candidate selection process, he was backed by Pauline Marois and defeated high profile Bloc Québécois
vice-president, Dominique Ollivier, who was supported by Bernard Bigras
, Gilles Duceppe
and Louise Harel
.
He won his selection at the third round by a one vote margin.
In 2005, Bernard Landry
resigned after gaining only 75% of his party support, Girard then convinced André Boisclair to make a bid for the PQ leadership, which he won.
Since, Girard's political career has been on the fast-track. Boisclair appointed him the PQ critics in social services and as the chief strategist for the upcoming provincial election. Girard then appointed long-time friend, Pierre-Luc Paquette
, as PQ's general manager.
It is said that Girard would play a leading role in an eventual Boisclair government.
. He faced Françoise David
, the leader of Quebec Solidaire
, a left wing political party.
His electoral office was occupied by FRAPRU, a social lobby supporting more public funded housing, police were forced to evacuate the illegal protesters.
He was re-elected with almost 40% of the vote, however the PQ finished in third position.
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....
, Canada
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...
, and member of 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...
. He was elected to the National Assembly in a by-election
By-election
A by-election is an election held to fill a political office that has become vacant between regularly scheduled elections....
as a 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...
member on September 20, 2004 in riding of Gouin
Gouin (electoral district)
Gouin is a provincial electoral district in Quebec, Canada that elects members to the National Assembly of Quebec. The district is located in Montreal between the Canadian Pacific Railway and Jean-Talon Street and west of 6th Avenue...
in the Montreal region.
Student activism
Girard was involved in politics in his teens, notably on the Parti Québécois (PQ) Youth Association in the riding of La PrairieLa Prairie
La Prairie may refer to a number of places in North America.Canada*La Prairie, Quebec*La Prairie United States*La Prairie, Illinois*La Prairie, Minnesota*La Prairie Township, Clearwater County, Minnesota...
.
As a student of Collège Édouard-Montpetit
Collège Édouard-Montpetit
Collège Édouard-Montpetit is a francophone CEGEP in Longueuil, Quebec, Canada. Approximately 6700 students are enrolled in the Longueuil and St-Hubert campuses. The College of General and Vocational Education is affiliated with the ACCC, and CCAA.-History:...
, Girard was involved in the Parti Québécois local cell. He was then elected president of the student college association. He fought against budget cuts made by the Canadian federal government.
During the 1995 Quebec referendum
1995 Quebec referendum
The 1995 Quebec referendum was the second referendum to ask voters in the Canadian province of Quebec whether Quebec should secede from Canada and become an independent state, through the question:...
, he founded a student organization supporting the yes side. He gave several speeches along with PQ leader, Jacques Parizeau
Jacques Parizeau
Jacques Parizeau, is an economist and noted Quebec sovereignist who was the 26th Premier of the Canadian province of Quebec from September 26, 1994 to January 29, 1996.-Early life and career:...
.
Girard has a bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
in political sciences 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 did studies for the master's degree
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
in industrial relations.
During his stay at the Université de Montréal, he was elected leader of student association - Fédération des associations étudiantes du campus de l'Université de Montréal
Fédération des associations étudiantes du campus de l'Université de Montréal
The Fédération des associations étudiantes du campus de l'Université de Montréal is an accredited federation of students' associations on Université de Montréal's campus. It encompasses 85 different students' associations and represents a total of 37,500 members. Its objective is to promote and...
(FAÉCUM).
He is a former student activist, notably organizing student rallies against former minister Lloyd Axworthy
Lloyd Axworthy
Lloyd Norman Axworthy, PC, OC, OM is a prominent Canadian politician, statesman and University President from Manitoba. He is best known for having served as Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Jean Chrétien...
's cuts in education. He then became the president-elect of the Federation des associations étudiantes du campus de l'Université de Montréal (FAECUM). FAECUM supported the yes side during the 1995 Quebec referendum.
Early political career
Upon graduation, Girard was hired by the Parti Québécois as a communication advisor. He later worked for several ministers, including François LegaultFrançois Legault
François Legault is a politician in Quebec, Canada, and former member of the National Assembly of Quebec. A member of the Parti Québécois , he was first elected in the 1998 Quebec election in the riding of Rousseau in the Lanaudière region.-Life and career:Legault was born in...
, André Boisclair
André Boisclair
André Boisclair is a politician in Quebec, Canada. He was the leader of the Parti Québécois, a social democratic and separatist party in Quebec....
and Sylvain Simard
Sylvain Simard
Sylvain Simard is a politician and academic based in the Canadian province of Quebec. He has represented Richelieu in the National Assembly of Quebec since 1994 and was a cabinet minister in the governments of Lucien Bouchard and Bernard Landry. Simard is a member of the Parti Québécois .-Early...
as a press secretary.
At the 2003 provincial election
Quebec general election, 2003
The Quebec general election of 2003 was held on April 14, 2003, to elect members of the National Assembly of Quebec . The Parti libéral du Québec , led by Jean Charest, defeated the incumbent Parti Québécois, led by Bernard Landry.-Unfolding:...
, he was appointed as the deputy communication director for the campaign. Following the PQ's defeat, he was hired by the Confédération des syndicats nationaux
Confédération des Syndicats Nationaux
The Confédération des syndicats nationaux , is the second largest trade union federation in Quebec by membership.- History :...
(CSN), as a communication specialist. He also joinded Pauline Marois
Pauline Marois
Pauline Marois is the current leader of the Parti Québécois in the province of Quebec, since June 27, 2007 and current Leader of the Official Opposition of the National Assembly of Quebec, representing the riding of Charlevoix...
's organization as an advisor, in her attempt to quickly replace 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:...
.
2004 by-election
In 2004, following André BoisclairAndré Boisclair
André Boisclair is a politician in Quebec, Canada. He was the leader of the Parti Québécois, a social democratic and separatist party in Quebec....
's resignation, he ran for the PQ in the Gouin riding. In the candidate selection process, he was backed by Pauline Marois and defeated high profile Bloc Québécois
Bloc Québécois
The Bloc Québécois is a federal political party in Canada devoted to the protection of Quebec's interests in the House of Commons of Canada, and the promotion of Quebec sovereignty. The Bloc was originally a party made of Quebec nationalists who defected from the federal Progressive Conservative...
vice-president, Dominique Ollivier, who was supported by Bernard Bigras
Bernard Bigras
Bernard Bigras is a Canadian politician.Bigras was a Bloc Québécois member of the Canadian House of Commons from 1997 to 2011, representing the district of Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie. He is the former caucus chair of the Bloc, and is a former critic of Children and Youth, Cultural Communities, and...
, Gilles Duceppe
Gilles Duceppe
Gilles Duceppe is a Canadian politician, and proponent of the Québec sovereignty movement. He was a Member of Parliament in the Canadian House of Commons for over 20 years and was the leader of the sovereigntist Bloc Québécois for almost 15 years. He is the son of a well-known Quebec actor, Jean...
and Louise Harel
Louise Harel
Louise Harel is a Québec politician. In 2005 she served as interim leader of the Parti Québécois following the resignation of Bernard Landry. She was also interim leader of the opposition in the National Assembly of Quebec. She represented the riding of Hochelaga-Maisonneuve in the Montreal region...
.
He won his selection at the third round by a one vote margin.
Political career 2004 - 2007
Early after his election, he left Marois' organization to back Bernard Landry who was gaining support in order to get a decent confidence score at a mandatory PQ internal vote.In 2005, 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:...
resigned after gaining only 75% of his party support, Girard then convinced André Boisclair to make a bid for the PQ leadership, which he won.
Since, Girard's political career has been on the fast-track. Boisclair appointed him the PQ critics in social services and as the chief strategist for the upcoming provincial election. Girard then appointed long-time friend, Pierre-Luc Paquette
Pierre-Luc Paquette
Pierre-Luc Paquette is a Quebec political strategist. He is the director general of the Parti Québécois.He is a former student activist and spent several years as a Parti Québécois communication advisor. In 2003, he became MNA Daniel Turp's local political advisor...
, as PQ's general manager.
It is said that Girard would play a leading role in an eventual Boisclair government.
General election 2007
Girard was re-appointed the PQ's candidate in the Gouin riding in 2007Quebec 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...
. He faced Françoise David
Françoise David
Françoise David, CQ is the spokesperson, with Amir Khadir, of Québec solidaire - a left-wing, feminist and sovereignist political party in the province of Quebec, Canada. Quebec Solidaire was born from the merger of Option Citoyenne with l'Union des Forces Progressistes...
, the leader of Quebec Solidaire
Québec Solidaire
Québec solidaire is a democratic socialist and sovereigntist political party in Quebec, Canada, that was created on 4 February 2006 in Montreal. It was formed by the merger of the left-wing party Union des forces progressistes and the alter-globalization political movement Option Citoyenne, led...
, a left wing political party.
His electoral office was occupied by FRAPRU, a social lobby supporting more public funded housing, police were forced to evacuate the illegal protesters.
He was re-elected with almost 40% of the vote, however the PQ finished in third position.