Henri Bourassa
Henri Bourassa was a prominent Canadian politician, journalist, and nationalist, born on September 1, 1868, in Montreal, Quebec. Coming from a family with a rich cultural heritage, including a father who was a painter and a grandfather who played a significant role in the 1837 rebellion, Bourassa was deeply influenced by his background. He initially pursued an education in engineering and later developed a strong interest in journalism and politics, becoming the mayor of Montebello at just twenty-two.
Bourassa entered federal politics in 1896 as an independent Liberal and quickly became known for his staunch anti-imperialism, famously resigning from Parliament in protest of Canada's involvement in the Boer War. He founded the Ligue nationaliste to promote French Canadian nationalism and later established the influential newspaper Le Devoir. Throughout his career, Bourassa was a key figure in advocating for Canadian autonomy and opposing conscription during World War I, emphasizing voluntary military service.
After a hiatus, he returned to politics in 1925, serving as an independent member of Parliament until 1935. He passed away on August 31, 1952, in Outremont, Quebec. His legacy is commemorated in Montreal through various landmarks, including Henri Bourassa Boulevard and the Henri-Bourassa metro station, reflecting his significant impact on Canadian identity and politics.
Subject Terms
Henri Bourassa
Politician
- Born: September 1, 1868
- Birthplace: Montreal, Quebec
- Died: August 31, 1952
- Place of death: Outremont, Quebec
Contribution: Henri Bourassa was a Canadian journalist and politician. A staunch proponent of anti-imperialism and the importance of French Canadian culture, Bourassa is recognized by many as the father of French Canadian nationalism.
Early Life and Education
Bourassa was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, on September 1, 1868. His father, Napoléon Bourassa, was a renowned painter and writer. His grandfather, Louis-Joseph Papineau, played a significant role in the 1837 rebellion in Lower Canada.
Bourassa was a Roman Catholic. Educated mainly by private tutors, he attended the École Polytechnique in Montreal in 1885 and then went on to study at the College of the Holy Cross in Massachusetts. During his youth, Bourassa developed a passion for journalism and politics. He became mayor of Montebello, Quebec, in 1890 at the age of twenty-two and was the founding editor of Ontario’s L’Interprète in 1895.
Politician and Journalist
In 1896, Bourassa entered federal politics when he was elected an independent Liberal member of the House of Commons for Labelle, Quebec, under Liberal prime minister Wilfrid Laurier. He was seen as a rising star in the Liberal Party, but as an ardent anti-imperialist, Bourassa resigned his legislative seat on October 26, 1899, in protest of Laurier’s government sending Canadian troops to support the British Empire in the Boer War without Parliament’s consent. He was reelected as an independent in 1900 and again in 1904.
While in Parliament in 1903, Bourassa founded the Ligue nationaliste (Nationalist League) to impart a nationalist sprit to the francophone population. The league promoted Canada’s autonomy within the British Empire, objecting to political dependence on Great Britain and the United States. In 1907, Bourassa resigned his seat in the House of Commons and left federal politics. He remained active, however, from 1908 to 1912 as a nationalist in Quebec’s legislative assembly.
In 1910, Bourassa founded Le Devoir, a French Canadian nationalist newspaper, and served as its editor in chief from 1910 until 1932. As an influential journalist, Bourassa played a prominent role in the 1911 federal elections, allying himself with the Quebec Conservatives in opposition both to free trade with the United States and to a new naval bill providing for the contribution of Canadian ships to Britain in times of war. His actions resulted in the defeat of the Laurier Liberals and the election of a Conservative government under Robert Borden.
Also in 1910, Bourassa participated in the twenty-first Eucharistic Congress in Montreal. At this congress, known to be the most important gathering of Roman Catholics outside the Vatican, Bourassa addressed the audience with an impromptu speech in support of French Canada and the use of French in the Catholic Church.
At the outset of World War I, Bourassa led French Canadian opposition to Canada’s participation in the war, especially Prime Minister Borden’s plans to implement conscription. Although he agreed with the war itself, he believed that only those who volunteered for service should be sent to fight.
In 1925, Bourassa returned to federal politics and served until 1935 as an independent member of Parliament for Labelle, Quebec. After being defeated in the 1935 general election, he retired from active politics.
Personal Life
Bourassa married Josephine Papineau on September 4, 1905. He died in Outremont, Quebec, on August 31, 1952, and was buried in Montreal. Henri Bourassa Boulevard and the Henri-Bourassa metro station in Montreal are named for him.
Bibliography
Bélanger, Damien-Claude. “Henri Bourassa.” Quebec History. Marianopolis College, Aug. 2004. Web. 31 July 2013.
Bélanger, Réal. “Bourassa, Henri.” Dictionary of Canadian Biography. U of Toronto/Université Laval, 2013. Web. 31 July 2013.
“Bourassa, Henri, 1868-1952.” Trent University Archives. Trent U, n.d. Web. 31 July 2013.
“French Canada’s New Voice.” CBC Learning. CBC, 2001. Web. 31 July 2013.
“Henri Bourassa.” Canadian War Museum. Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation, n.d. Web. 31 July 2013.
Levitt, Joseph. “Henri Bourassa.” Canadian Encyclopedia. Historica-Dominion, 2012. Web. 31 July 2013.
Kennedy, James. Liberal Nationalisms: Empire, State, and Civil Society in Scotland and Quebec. Montreal: McGill-Queen’s UP, 2013. Print.