Maurice Duplessis
Maurice Duplessis was a prominent political figure in Quebec, serving as its premier from 1936 to 1939 and again from 1944 until his death in 1959. Born on April 20, 1890, in Trois-Rivières, Duplessis pursued a law degree at Laval University and began his career in law before entering politics as a Conservative candidate in 1923. He achieved political success by forming the Union Nationale party in collaboration with Paul Gouin, leading to his election as premier.
Duplessis's earlier term was marked by controversy, particularly due to the implementation of the Padlock Law, which restricted communist propaganda and affected labor movements. However, his later tenure saw more significant achievements, including the establishment of a minimum wage, advancements in social welfare, and substantial infrastructure development in Quebec. He asserted provincial autonomy and played a key role in adopting the Quebec flag, symbolizing local governance. Duplessis remained unmarried throughout his life and passed away on September 7, 1959, while still in office. His legacy is complex, reflecting both progressive reforms and contentious policies.
Maurice Duplessis
Politician
- Born: April 20, 1890
- Birthplace: Trois-Rivières, Quebec
- Died: September 7, 1959
- Place of death: Schefferville, Quebec
Contribution: Maurice Duplessis was a Canadian lawyer and politician. He served as premier of Quebec for five terms, from 1936 until 1939 and again from 1944 until he died in office in 1959. He gained the epithet Le Chef (“the leader”) for his controversial and strong leadership.
Early Life and Education
Maurice Le Noblet Duplessis was born on April 20, 1890, in Trois-Rivières, Quebec, to Nérée Le Noblet Duplessis and Berthe Genest. His father was a lawyer and was involved in politics as a Conservative member of the legislative assembly, as well as mayor, town councilor, and superior court judge. Maurice attended Collège Notre-Dame in Montreal and then went to the Séminaire Saint-Joseph de Trois-Rivières in 1902 for classical studies. He earned his law degree from Laval University in Montreal.
Early Career
After graduating, Duplessis first worked at the law firm of Rodolphe Monty and Alfred Duranleau. After being called to the bar in 1913, he practiced law in Trois-Rivières. He dealt with civil, municipal, parish, and educational law in a career that spanned more than twenty years. Although he usually represented people, he occasionally represented companies, including the Shawinigan Water and Power Company.
Political Career
Duplessis first entered politics in 1923 as a Conservative candidate in the provincial election of Trois-Rivières but was defeated. After spending four years campaigning and working to gain support, he tried again in 1927 and won. He would go on to win eight consecutive elections. After Camillien Houde resigned as party leader in 1932, Duplessis became the Conservative Party leader in 1933.
Duplessis paired up with Paul Gouin, who led the Action Libérale Nationale party, to gain the support of the Liberals and Nationalists. In 1935, they united and formed the Union Nationale party, which Duplessis led. Duplessis was elected premier in 1936. He remained premier until he was defeated in the 1939 election by Adélard Godbout.
His first term as premier was a disappointment for the citizens of Quebec as he did not honor what he promised in his progressive electoral platform. During this term, he passed the controversial Padlock Law in 1937, which authorized the government to close any building being used to produce communist propaganda for up to one year. This loosely defined law had a serious impact on the trade union movement, and in 1957, the Supreme Court of Canada overturned the law, declaring it unconstitutional. During this time in office, Duplessis also passed legislation addressing the minimum wage, implemented provisions for destitute mothers and the blind, and established the Farm Credit Bureau.
Before returning to power, Duplessis developed pneumonia and diabetes, leading to his hospitalization. He won back the premiership in 1944 and remained premier until his death in 1959. This period was more successful for Duplessis as he helped establish a minimum wage and aided the passage of home ownership assistance acts. He also asserted the authority of state over the church and was instrumental in the construction of highways, hospitals, universities, and other projects. He was also responsible for adopting the flag of Quebec, which replaced the national flag on top of Quebec’s parliament buildings, reflecting Duplessis’s firm stance on provincial autonomy. He died while in office in 1959.
Personal Life
Duplessis never married. He died in office in Schefferville, Quebec, on September 7, 1959.
Bibliography
Bélanger, Claude. “Maurice Duplessis (1890–1959).” Quebec History. Marianopolis College, 6 Dec. 2004. Web. 30 July 2013.
Black, Conrad. “Maurice Le Noblet Duplessis.” Canadian Encyclopedia. Historica-Dominion, 2012. Web. 30 July 2013.
Crowley, Brian Lee. “The Rehabilitation of Quebec’s Maurice Duplessis.” Rev. of Du Grand Rattrapage au Déclin Tranquille (From the Great Catch-up to the Quiet Decline), by Vincent Geloso. Economy Lab. Globe and Mail Inc., 4 July 2013. Web. 30 July 2013.
“Maurice Duplessis.” CBC Digital Archives. CBC, 2013. Web. 30 July 2013.
Sarra-Bournet, Michel. “Duplessis, Maurice Le Noblet.” Dictionary of Canadian Biography. U of Toronto and Université Laval, 2013. Web. 30 July 2013.