Jean-Robert Gauthier
| Jean-Robert Gauthier | |
|---|---|
| Member of Parliament for Ottawa East |
|
| In office 1972–1974 |
|
| Preceded by | Jean-Thomas Richard |
| Succeeded by | riding dissolved |
| Member of Parliament for Ottawa—Vanier |
|
| In office 1974–1994 |
|
| Preceded by | first member |
| Succeeded by | Mauril Bélanger |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 22, 1929 Ottawa |
| Died | December 10, 2009 (aged 80) Ottawa |
| Political party | Liberal |
| Spouse(s) | Monique Gauthier |
| Residence | Ottawa |
| Profession | Chiropractor |
| Religion | Catholic |
Jean-Robert Gauthier, CM, O.Ont (October 22, 1929 – December 10, 2009) was a Canadian politician.
A chiropractor by training, he entered politics as trustee on a local school board. He was elected to the Canadian House of Commons to represent the riding of Ottawa East in the 1972 election as a Liberal Party Member of Parliament. He remained its representative for several decades winning by large majorities each time in the safe Liberal seat.
In 1984, he was appointed opposition whip and became a member of the party's shadow cabinet. His highest profile came during his time as official languages critic for the Liberal caucus, in which Gauthier was a strident defender of official bilingualism. Locally, he was known for campaigning to have an aquarium built in Ottawa. With the Liberal victory in the 1993 election, he ran for Speaker of the House, but lost by one vote to Gilbert Parent.
In 1994, he was appointed to the Senate. In the Senate, he fought for the rights of French speakers. He retired on his 75th birthday in 2004. In the Senate, he listed his Senate division as "Ontario" from November 23, 1994 to December 3, 2001, and as "Ottawa – Vanier" from December 4, 2001 until his retirement.
He was made a member of the Order of Canada in 2007.[1] In 2009, he was made a member of the Order of Ontario.[2]
He was made an Officer of the Legion of Honour by the French Government in 2002.[3]
In September 2006, Jean-Robert Gauthier Catholic Elementary School opened in Barrhaven.
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[edit] External links
- 1929 births
- 2009 deaths
- Liberal Party of Canada MPs
- Liberal Party of Canada senators
- Canadian senators from Ontario
- Members of the Canadian House of Commons from Ontario
- Members of the Order of Canada
- Members of the Order of Ontario
- Officiers of the Légion d'honneur
- Canadian chiropractors
- Franco-Ontarian people
- People from Ottawa
