Canadian Statesman. A native of Saint-Philippe-de-Neri, Quebec, Béchard graduated from the Université Laval in 1991 and later received his Masters degree in 1994. Becoming involved in politics, he was appointed in 1993 as an advisor to Quebec Premier Daniel Johnson Jr. until 1996. In 1997 he became Vice-President of the Liberal Party in Quebec and later that same year, was elected to Quebec's National Assembly representing Kamouraska-Témiscouata, a post he held until his death. In 2003 he was appointed Minister of Employment, Social Solidarity and Family Welfare on the cabinet of Premier Jean Charest, serving until 2005. He later also served as Minister of Economic Development, Innovation and Trade (2005-2006), Minister of Environment (2006-2007), and Minister of Natural Resources and Wildlife (2007-2009). In 2009 he was appointed to the posts of Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and Minister of Canadian Intergovernmental Affairs. Diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2008, he announced his resignation from his posts on September 7, 2010. He died a few hours later at the age of 41. He was given a state funeral from the Province of Quebec.
Canadian Statesman. A native of Saint-Philippe-de-Neri, Quebec, Béchard graduated from the Université Laval in 1991 and later received his Masters degree in 1994. Becoming involved in politics, he was appointed in 1993 as an advisor to Quebec Premier Daniel Johnson Jr. until 1996. In 1997 he became Vice-President of the Liberal Party in Quebec and later that same year, was elected to Quebec's National Assembly representing Kamouraska-Témiscouata, a post he held until his death. In 2003 he was appointed Minister of Employment, Social Solidarity and Family Welfare on the cabinet of Premier Jean Charest, serving until 2005. He later also served as Minister of Economic Development, Innovation and Trade (2005-2006), Minister of Environment (2006-2007), and Minister of Natural Resources and Wildlife (2007-2009). In 2009 he was appointed to the posts of Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and Minister of Canadian Intergovernmental Affairs. Diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2008, he announced his resignation from his posts on September 7, 2010. He died a few hours later at the age of 41. He was given a state funeral from the Province of Quebec.
Bio by: G.Photographer
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