Bourassa, Robert

▪ 1997

      Canadian politician (b. July 14, 1933, Montreal, Que.—d. Oct. 2, 1996, Montreal), as premier of Quebec (1970-76, 1985-93) during a period of escalating tensions between federalists and Quebec separatists, attempted to preserve the province's French culture while maintaining unity with Canada. After earning a law degree from the University of Montreal, Bourassa studied at Harvard University and the University of Oxford. In 1966 he won a seat in Quebec's National Assembly. Although inexperienced and relatively unknown, he was elected leader of the Quebec Liberal Party, led it to victory in the April 1970 elections, and was named premier. In October 1970 a radical Quebec separatist group murdered a Cabinet member and kidnapped the British trade commissioner. Bourassa was harshly criticized for his handling of the crisis; the federal government intervened, suspending civil liberties and sending armed troops to Montreal. Bourassa's economic policy, however, which focused on large-scale development, notably the James Bay hydroelectric project, was popular, and he won reelection in 1973. The following year he signed Bill 22, which made French the official language of the province and limited the use of English. The bill, which increased tensions between federalists and Quebec nationalists, contributed to his defeat in the 1976 elections. Bourassa withdrew from politics. In 1980 his tireless campaigning against a referendum on Quebec independence won favour with the Liberal Party, and in 1983 he was reelected its leader. With the Liberals' victory in 1985, Bourassa was again named premier; he was reelected in 1989. In 1990 a dispute over land claims led to a standoff with Mohawk Indians. Bourassa, who had been diagnosed with skin cancer, delayed medical treatment during the 78-day crisis, which ended peacefully. His health, however, deteriorated, and in 1993 he resigned.

* * *