Réal Caouette
Réal Caouette was a Canadian politician and businessman known for his significant role in Quebec’s political landscape during the mid-20th century. Born on September 26, 1917, in Amos, Quebec, he initially worked in automobile sales and insurance before venturing into politics. Caouette became involved with the Social Credit Party in 1939 and was elected to the House of Commons in 1946, representing Pontiac, Quebec. His political career saw him leading the Ralliement créditiste du Québec, a party he founded in 1963, and later serving as the leader of the Social Credit Party from 1971 until his health declined in 1976.
Caouette's political influence was marked by his strong appeal among voters in small towns and rural areas of Quebec. Notably, he was a controversial figure, often known for his provocative statements, including admiration for historical figures like Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini. Despite his contentious views, he remained a pivotal figure in Quebec politics until his death from health complications on December 16, 1976, at the age of fifty-nine.
Subject Terms
Réal Caouette
Politician
- Born: September 26, 1917
- Birthplace: Amos, Quebec
- Died: December 16, 1976
- Place of death: Ottawa, Ontario
Contribution: Réal Caouette was a French Canadian politician, businessman, and car dealer. Affiliated with the Social Credit Party, he was known for his controversial political opinions. Caouette was involved in Canadian politics for more than seventeen years.
Early Life and Education
David Réal Caouette (some sources give his name as Joseph-David-Réal Caouette) was born on September 26, 1917, in Amos, Quebec, Canada. Little information is available about his early life or education. Caouette was involved in automobile sales and was a successful businessman. He was also an insurance agent and garage owner.
Political Career
Caouette was virtually unknown in the world of Canadian politics before 1962, when he won in the electoral district of Villeneuve, Quebec. Caouette’s political affiliations, however, began as early as 1939 after he joined the Parti du crédit social, or Social Credit Party. He was later elected to the House of Commons in 1946 as a member of Parliament for the electoral district of Pontiac, Quebec, and member of the Union des électeurs (Union of electors) political movement.
The Social Credit Party, prominent at the time in Canadian politics, based its ideologies on the economic principles of an English engineer, Major C. H. Douglas. According to these principles, which launched an economic reform movement, money should be distributed in such a way as to produce a form of social credit that could be used to purchase goods and services. Caouette was involved with the Social Credit Party from 1946 to 1949 and again from 1962 to 1963. The main strength of the Social Credit Party, and of Caouette’s political influence in Quebec, was mostly among voters in small towns and rural election areas.
After attempting to become a national leader of the Social Credit Party in 1961, Caouette was defeated by Robert Thompson. In 1963, Caouette formed his own party, Ralliement créditiste du Québec. He was involved with the party until 1971. At that time, Ralliement créditiste du Québec, which had elected fourteen members to the House of Commons, was aligned with the Social Credit Party. Caouette was again at the forefront of Canadian politics and served as party leader of the Social Credit Party from 1971 to 1976. He was forced to relinquish control of the party because of poor health in 1976.
As a member of the House of Commons, Caouette served on numerous committees. Caouette was also known for his outspoken ideas throughout his political career. In one magazine interview at the time of his election, he was credited as saying that he admired historical figures such as the German dictator Adolf Hitler and Italian ruler Benito Mussolini. Both in person and on television shows, Caouette made provocative statements. In spite of his views, or perhaps because of them, he was considered an important figure in Quebec politics.
Personal Life
Caouette died at age fifty-nine on December 16, 1976, in Ottawa, Canada.
Bibliography
Christian, William. “Réal Caouette.” Canadian Encyclopedia. Historica-Dominion, 2012. Web. 31 July 2013.
“Caouette, David Réal.” Parliamentarian File. Library of Parliament, n.d. Web. 31 July 2013.
“Hitler, Mussolini and Caouette.” Time 31 Aug. 1962: 35. Print.
Marleau, Robert, and Camille Montpetit, eds. “Appendices: Party Leaders in the House of Commons since 1867.” House of Commons Procedure and Practice. Parliament of Canada, Nov. 2005. Web. 31 July 2013.
Morley, J. T. “Social Credit.” Canadian Encyclopedia. Historica-Dominion, 2012. Web. 31 July 2013.