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Louis-Victor Sicotte

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File:LVSicotte.jpg

Louis-Victor Sicotte (November 6, 1812-September 5, 1889) was a lawyer, judge and politician in Lower Canada.

He was born Louis Cicot in Boucherville, Lower Canada in 1812. He studied law and was called to the bar in 1839. He helped found the Aide-toi, le Ciel t’aidera (God helps those who help themselves) society, which is credited with introducing the celebration of Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day for French Canadians, and was also its secretary-treasurer. He supported the Patriotes but apparently took no part in the Rebellions of 1837-38. He believed, correctly as it turned out, that rebellion would only lead to an imposed union with Upper Canada. [[Image:LouisVSicotte2.jpg|thumb|left|Louis Victor Sicotte from Public Men and Public Life in Canada circa 1910 release, Lethbridge Public Library, Lethbridge Alberta] In 1838, he set up a practice in Saint-Hyacinthe. In 1851, he was elected to the Legislative Assembly representing Saint-Hyacinthe. He became part of the Hincks-Morin government for a short time in August 1853. He was reelected in 1854 and elected speaker. In the same year, he was named Queen's Counsel. In 1857, he was chosen as Commissioner of Crown Lands. He was reelected in 1858 and became Commissioner of Public Works in the Cartier-Macdonald government from 1858 to 1859. He was Joint Premier of the Province of Canada with John Sandfield Macdonald from May 24, 1862 to May 15, 1863. He refused a cabinet post in the Macdonald-Dorion government that followed and, after his reelection in 1863, introduced a motion of non-confidence, which was rejected by a small margin. In September 1863, he accepted an appointment as judge of the Superior Court in the Saint-Hyacinthe district, serving until 1887.

He died in Saint-Hyacinthe in 1889.

Preceded by Joint Premiers of the Province of Canada - Canada East
1862-1863
Succeeded by