Lucien Rivard
Lucien Rivard (b. perhaps 1915[1], d. February 3, 2002) was a Canadian criminal known for a sensational prison escape in 1965.[2]
Rivard had been engaged in robbery and smuggling drugs since the 1940s.[2] He has been described as a "petty crook"[3] in his early years, but in the 1950s he moved to Cuba and operated a casino, and became involved in the heroin business. In 1958 he moved back to Laval, Quebec and operated the business Domaine Ideal to continue dealing drugs and weapons.[3]
In 1965, Rivard was in a Montreal prison, but used a water hose to climb a wall and escape. He was missing for four months before being caught and extradited to the United States.[2] During his absence, he wrote letters to various people, telling the Prime Minister of Canada Lester B. Pearson "Life is short, you know. I don't intend to be in jail for the rest of my life."[4]
Aftermath
Allegations of bribery regarding the government of Canada during Rivard's escape provoked an investigation, and Attorney General Guy Favreau left office as a consequence.[2] Favreau had been gaining prestige at the time, and when he left Prime Minister Pearson sought out new Quebec MPs to replace him, namely Jean Marchand, Pierre Trudeau and Gérard Pelletier.[4] Trudeau became prime minister in 1968.
The escape inspired the song "The Gallic Pimpernel."[3] In addition, the Canadian Press voted Rivard the title of Canadian Newsmaker of the Year for 1965.[5] In 2006, it was announced that the Quebec government would help sponsor a film called Rivard, to be directed by Charles Biname, with Rémy Girard to play Lucien Rivard.[6]
References
- ^ Bill Cameron, "Rivard, Lucien," The Canadian Encyclopedia, Year 2000 Edition, Toronto, Ontario: McClelland & Stewart Inc., The Canadian Publishers, 1999, p. 2022.
- ^ a b c d "Man who triggered Pearson scandal dies," Daily Mercury, Guelph, Ontario: February 14, 2002, pg. A.11.
- ^ a b c Alan Hustak, "Rivard rocked Ottawa: Drug-smuggler and escape artist dies peacefully at 83," The Gazette, Montreal, Quebec: February 14, 2002. pg. A.4.
- ^ a b Tu Thanh Ha, "Montreal mobster nearly sank Liberals," The Globe and Mail, Toronto, Ontario: February 14, 2002. pg. A.3.
- ^ "Newsmakers since 1946," Trail Times, Trail, B.C.: December 27, 2001. pg. 13.
- ^ "Six Quebec films get green light," The Gazette, Montreal, Quebec: December 3, 2006. pg. A.29.