Marie-Claire Kirkland
Marie-Claire Kirkland was a prominent Canadian politician and legal figure, notably serving as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Quebec. Born on September 8, 1924, in Palmer, Massachusetts, she was educated at McGill University, where she earned degrees in arts and civil law. Following her legal career, she entered politics, succeeding her father as the Liberal representative for Jacques-Cartier after his death. Over the years, Kirkland held various cabinet positions, including minister of transportation and communications, minister of tourism, and minister of cultural affairs, before briefly serving as the interim premier of Quebec in 1972.
Kirkland was a strong advocate for women's rights, playing a critical role in the passage of Bill 16 in 1964, which improved the legal autonomy of married women. After leaving politics in 1973, she became a provincial court judge and continued to promote women's rights through her judicial role. Throughout her career, she received numerous accolades, including honorary doctorates from several universities and recognition as a Knight of the National Order of Quebec. Her personal life included a marriage to Philippe Casgrain and later to Wyndham Strover, with whom she shared a background in law. Kirkland's legacy remains significant in both the political and legal landscapes of Quebec.
Subject Terms
Marie-Claire Kirkland
Politician
- Born: September 8, 1924
- Place of Birth: Palmer, Massachusetts
- Died: March 24, 2016
Contribution: Marie-Claire Kirkland was a member of the Legislative Assembly of Quebec, serving as a cabinet minister. She also served as an interim premier of Quebec. As a judge and lawyer, she was involved in women’s rights and remains renowned for her role in the passing of Bill 16, which improved the legal standing of married women.
Early Life and Education
Marie-Claire Kirkland was born in Palmer, Massachusetts, on September 8, 1924, to Rose Demers and Charles-Aimé Kirkland, a medical doctor and member of Parliament. She attended Villa Maria Convent and earned her bachelor of arts degree in 1947 and her bachelor of civil law degree in 1950 from McGill University. She then attended an international law seminar in Geneva, Switzerland, and was called to the bar in Quebec in 1952. Kirkland practiced law in Montreal. She worked at the firm of Jamieson Cerini from 1952 until 1961.
Political Career
During her career as a lawyer, Kirkland followed her father’s political career in Parliament. Following his death in 1961, she became his successor in the Jacques-Cartier riding. She was elected as a Liberal member of Parliament under Premier Jean Lesage and was elected into the Legislative Assembly of Quebec. In 1962, she became a cabinet minister in Quebec. From 1964 until 1966, she served as minister of transportation and communications. She was also minister of tourism, game and fishing from 1970 until 1972 and minister of cultural affairs from 1972 until 1973. In 1972, she became the interim premier. In 1973, she became a provincial court judge and president of the Minimum Wage Commission. In pursuit of a more stable life, Kirkland left her political career in 1973, but continued to serve as a judge until 1991.
Kirkland was heavily involved in women’s rights and helped to defend laws such as Bill 16, which was adopted in 1964. This bill allowed women to carry out legal acts without the consent of their husbands. In 1969 and 1972, she also helped to have other bills passed regarding women’s rights. She was vice president of the executive council of the League of Security in Quebec and the founder and president of the Canadian chapter of the International Alliance of Women.
After leaving politics, Kirkland became a judge in the judicial district of Montreal until she retired in 1991. She was the recipient of honorary doctorates from the University of Moncton, the University of York, and McGill University. She also received many awards, including the Médaille d’excellence de la littérature française from the French government in 1947 and the Governor General’s Award (1993). She also became a Knight of the National Order of Quebec (1985) and a member of the Order of Canada (1992).
Personal Life
Kirkland was married to Philippe Casgrain in 1954 and went by the name Kirkland-Casgrain, but the marriage ended in divorce after seventeen years. The couple had three children: Lynne-Marie, Kirkland, and Marc. In 1989 she married Wyndham Strover, a widower whom she had known when they were both law students.
Bibliography
“Five Women Honored in Fight for Rights.” Toronto Star 12 Dec. 1993: SU2. Print.
Government of Quebec. “Marie-Claire Kirkland (Casgrain)* (1924–).” Revolution Tranquille. Government of Quebec, 2013. Web. 28 Aug. 2013.
Houda-Pepin, Fatima. “Quebec Monument to Honour Women in Politics.” Canadian Parliamentary Review 35.2 (2012): 4–5. Print.
Library and Archives Canada. “Marie-Claire Kirkland-Casgrain.” Collections Canada. Library and Archives Canada, 16 Sept. 2010. Web. 28 Aug. 2013.
National Assembly of Quebec. “Marie-Claire Kirkland.” Assemblée Nationale Québec. National Assembly of Quebec, March 2013. Web. 28 Aug. 2013.
Paskey, Janice. “A Conversation with Marie-Claire Kirkland BA ’47, BCL ’50, LLD ’97.” McGill News Alumni Quarterly. McGill News Alumni Quarterly, Spring 1998. Web. 28 Aug. 2013.
Trimble, Linda, Manon Tremblay, and Jane Arscott. Stalled: The Representation of Women in Canadian Governments. Vancouver: UBC Press, 2013. eBook.