Lomer Gouin
Lomer Gouin was a prominent Canadian politician and lawyer, born on March 19, 1861, in Grondines, Lower Canada. He received a classical education and obtained his law degree from Laval University in 1884, subsequently practicing law primarily in railway and election-related cases. Gouin entered the political arena in 1891 and served in various capacities, including premier of Quebec from 1905 to 1920. During his tenure, he focused on economic growth, education, and the establishment of the Department of Highways, while also implementing prohibition.
Gouin was recognized for his contributions with a knighthood from France in 1907 and honorary doctorates from McGill and Queen's Universities. He also held significant roles in banking and utilities, including director positions and chairing the governing council of the University of Montreal. In his personal life, Gouin married twice, first to Elisa Mercier, with whom he had five children, and later to Alice Amos. He passed away in office as lieutenant governor in March 1929, leaving behind a legacy of public service and leadership in Quebec politics.
Subject Terms
Lomer Gouin
Politician
- Born: March 19, 1861
- Birthplace: Grondines, Lower Canada
- Died: March 28, 1929
- Place of death: Quebec, Quebec
Contribution: Lomer Gouin was a Canadian lawyer and politician who served as premier of Quebec from 1905 until 1920. He also held several other positions within the government, including attorney general.
Early Life and Education
Jean Lomer Gouin was born on March 19, 1861, in Grondines, Lower Canada. His father, Joseph-Nérée Gouin, was a local doctor. Gouin studied classical subjects at Sorel College and completed his studies at Levis College. He earned his bachelor of laws degree from Laval University in Montreal in 1884.
Early Career
After completing his law degree, Gouin worked with several lawyers who shared an interest in politics. He first worked under John Joseph Caldwell Abbott, who would become prime minister in 1891, and Toussaint-Antoine-Rodolphe Laflamme, a future member of the House of Commons. In 1884, Gouin was called to the bar in Quebec. One of his first law partners was Louis-Olivier Taillon, who would serve as the eighth premier of Quebec.
In 1899, Gouin became Queen’s counsel. His law practice was involved mostly in cases about railways and election disputes. He represented the short-lived Chateauguay and Northern Railway Company and the Montreal and Champlain Railway. Even after becoming involved in politics, Gouin continued to practice law in Montreal.
Political Career
Gouin entered politics in 1891 as the Liberal candidate for the county of Richelieu in the federal general election, but he was defeated by the Conservative candidate, Hector-Louis Langevin. In 1897, he won a seat in the provincial legislature representing Montreal. He was re-elected in 1900 and 1904 and remained in the seat until 1908. He was alderman for Montreal in 1900, but only remained for a few months and resigned when he was elected commissioner of public works. He held this position until 1901, when he became minister of colonization and public works, a post he held until 1905.
In 1905, Gouin became premier of Quebec and remained premier until 1920. As premier, he was involved in stimulating economic growth, creating the Department of Highways, developing education, and implementing prohibition. From 1905 until 1920, he was also president of the executive council. He served as attorney general from 1905 until 1919 and became minister of colonization, mines, and fisheries in 1907.
After leaving office in 1920, Gouin worked briefly as an editor of La Presse. Later that year, he was appointed member of the legislative council for Salaberry, but resigned in 1921 without having served in the position. He re-entered the federal government as the Liberal candidate in the 1921 general election. From 1921 until 1924, he was minister of justice and attorney general of Canada. He was appointed lieutenant governor in January 1929, but died in office in March of that year.
While in office, Gouin was knighted by France in 1907 and received honorary doctorates from McGill and Queen’s Universities. He also served as director of several banks and utilities companies, including the Bank of Montreal and the Montreal Light, Heat and Power Company. In addition, he was chairman of the governing council of the University of Montreal.
Personal Life
In 1888, Gouin married Elisa Mercier, the daughter of a former premier of Quebec, Honoré Mercier. They had five children, but only two survived until adulthood: Léon Mercier and Paul. Elisa died in 1904, and Gouin married Alice Amos in 1911. They did not have any children.
Bibliography
Bélanger, Claude. “Sir Lomer Gouin, K. C.: Premier of Quebec.” Quebec History. Claude Bélanger, Marianopolis College, Sept. 2007. Web. 15 Aug. 2013.
Dutil, P. A. “The Politics of Progressivism in Quebec: The Gouin ‘Coup’ Revisited.” Canadian Historical Review 69.4 (1988): 442–65. Print.
Gouin, Jacques. Sir Lomer Gouin. Montréal-Nord: Éditions Marie-France, [1981]. Print.
Jones, Richard. “Gouin, Sir Lomer.” Dictionary of Canadian Biography. University of Toronto/Université Laval, 2005. Web. 15 Aug. 2013.
Library of Parliament. “Gouin, The Hon. Sir Lomer, P.C.” Parliament of Canada. Library of Parliament, n.d. Web. 15 Aug. 2013.
Moniere, Denis. “Lomer Gouin et les relations France-Québec (Lomer Gouin and France-Quebec Relations).” Bulletin d’Histoire Politique 20.1 (2011): 31–41. Print.