Claude Béchard
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Minister of Natural Resources and Wildlife | |
|---|---|
| Incumbent | |
| Riding | Kamouraska-Témiscouata (1997-present) |
| In office since | October 6, 1997 |
| Preceded by | France Dionne |
| Born | June 29, 1969 Saint-Philippe-de-Néri, Québec |
| Residence | Québec City |
| Political party | |
| Profession(s) | Politician |
Claude Béchard (born June 29, 1969 in Saint-Philippe-de-Néri, Quebec) is a politician in Quebec, Canada. He is the current Quebec Liberal Party Member of the National Assembly (MNA) for the riding of Kamouraska-Témiscouata in the Bas-Saint-Laurent region. He is also the current Minister of Natural Ressources and Wildlife and was formally the Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment, Parks, Economic Development, Innovation and Export Trade.
Béchard studied at the Université Laval in Quebec City and got a bachelor's degree in political science. He also got a master's degree in land planning and regional development during the 1990s. He later added a doctor's degree in administration (although the Canada Thesis Portal only has a record of his master's thesis).
He was a political adviser for Daniel Johnson, Jr. from 1993 to 1996. He later became the vice-president of the Quebec Liberal Party in 1997 and was elected as an MNA in a by-election in the riding of Kamouraska-Témiscouata on the same year. He was re-elected in 1998 and 2003, the latter which gave his party the power. During the years in the opposition benches he served as critic for employment, labour, energy and education.
When Jean Charest became Premier of Quebec in 2003, he was named the Minister of Employment, Social Solidarity and Family Welfare before a Cabinet shuffle caused by the departure of Yves Séguin as Finance Minister, promoted him to the position of Minister of Economic Development, Innovation and Export Trade in 2005. He occupied the position for year before the demotion of Thomas J. Mulcair as Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment and Parks in 2006.
Soon after Bechard claimed that position, he had made a deal to sell the Mont Orford Ski and Golf Resort to private interests that will develop the land with condominiums. In addition, Bechard announced that the Orford Park would double in size as a national park. Despite the opposition from the Parti Québécois, environmental groups and well-known figures, Bechard mentioned that the previous government under Bernard Landry, had plans to build other structures during their tenure including a shopping centre. The development is expected to go ahead.
He was re-elected in the 2007 elections and named the Minister of Natural Ressources and Wildlife replacing Pierre Corbeil who was defeated by the PQ's Alexis Wawanoloath. Line Beauchamp succeeded him as Minister of Environment.
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| National Assembly of Quebec | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by France Dionne (Liberal) |
MNA, District of Kamouraska-Témiscouata 1997–Current |
Succeeded by Incumbent |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by Linda Goupil (Social Solidarity) & Sylvain Simard (Employment) |
Minister of Employment and Social Solidarity 2003–2005 |
Succeeded by Michelle Courchesne |
| Preceded by Michel Audet |
Minister of Economic Development, Innovation and Trades 2005–2006 |
Succeeded by Raymond Bachand |
| Preceded by Thomas J. Mulcair (Liberal) |
Minister of Environment 2006–2007 |
Succeeded by Line Beauchamp (Liberal) |
| Preceded by Pierre Corbeil (Liberal) |
Minister of Natural Resources 2007–Current |
Succeeded by Incumbent |
