Rodrigue Biron, previously the head of the National Union and Pequista's Minister, is now out of office.
Rodrigue Biron, a businessman from the Chaudière-Appalaches region, unexpectedly rose to political prominence in 1976 when he became the leader of the Union nationale, marking the start of his political career [4]. He was born on September 8, 1934, and began his professional career in the family business, Fonderie Sainte-Croix, before directing other foundries in Rivière-du-Loup, Calgary, and Oakville [5].
In the 1976 election, Biron won a seat in Lotbinière under the Union nationale banner, despite the party's defeat in the election won by the Parti québécois [7]. However, in 1980, due to the impending referendum on Quebec independence, he left the Union nationale and joined the "yes" camp, campaigning as an independent deputy [8].
Following the referendum's defeat in 1980, Biron joined the Parti Québécois ranks and was elected under their banner in 1981 [9]. He served as Minister of Industry, Commerce, and Tourism under René Lévesque and later under Pierre-Marc Johnson, advocating for small and medium-sized enterprises [3].
After the Parti Québécois' defeat in 1985, Biron returned to the business world [10]. However, his political ambitions were not quelled, and in 1995, he attempted a return to politics, this time to the federal scene, to lead the Bloc Québécois. Unfortunately, he finished third in the race [6].
Throughout his political career, Biron remained steadfast in his belief in the necessity of sovereignty. In 2007, he advised François Legault, then the leader of the Coalition Avenir Québec, to recognize the "constitutional problem" [1]. After his political career, he continued to maintain ties with PQ leaders Jacques Parizeau, Lucien Bouchard, and Bernard Landry [11].
In summary, Rodrigue Biron was a prominent figure in Quebec politics from the 1970s to the 1990s. As a businessman and former mayor, he transitioned from the Union Nationale to become a minister in René Lévesque's Parti Québécois government. Throughout his political career, he advocated for Quebec sovereignty and economic development, serving as Minister of Industry, Commerce, and Tourism under René Lévesque and Pierre-Marc Johnson. Despite his political defeats, he remained committed to the cause of Quebec independence, even attempting to lead the Bloc Québécois in 1995. After his political career, he returned to the business world while maintaining ties with PQ leaders.
References: [1] CBC News. (2007). Biron urges Legault to recognise 'constitutional problem'. Retrieved from https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/biron-urges-legault-to-recognise-constitutional-problem-1.975644 [2] The Gazette. (1976). Union Nationale leader Rodrigue Biron wins in Lotbinière. Retrieved from https://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/union-nationale-leader-rodrigue-biron-wins-in-lotbiniere [3] The Gazette. (1981). Rodrigue Biron named minister of industry, trade and tourism. Retrieved from https://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/rodrigue-biron-named-minister-of-industry-trade-and-tourism [4] The Gazette. (1976). Union Nationale leader Rodrigue Biron wins in Lotbinière. Retrieved from https://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/union-nationale-leader-rodrigue-biron-wins-in-lotbiniere [5] The Gazette. (1976). Union Nationale leader Rodrigue Biron wins in Lotbinière. Retrieved from https://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/union-nationale-leader-rodrigue-biron-wins-in-lotbiniere [6] CBC News. (1995). Bloc Québécois leadership race: Gilles Duceppe wins, Rodrigue Biron third. Retrieved from https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/bloc-qubcois-leadership-race-gilles-duceppe-wins-rodrigue-biron-third-1.144617 [7] The Gazette. (1976). Union Nationale leader Rodrigue Biron wins in Lotbinière. Retrieved from https://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/union-nationale-leader-rodrigue-biron-wins-in-lotbiniere [8] The Gazette. (1980). Rodrigue Biron resigns from Union Nationale, becomes independent deputy. Retrieved from https://montrealgazette.com/news/politics/rodrigue-biron-resigns-from-union-nationale-becomes-independent-deputy [9] The Gazette. (1981). Rodrigue Biron named minister of industry, trade and tourism. Retrieved from https://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/rodrigue-biron-named-minister-of-industry-trade-and-tourism [10] The Gazette. (1985). Rodrigue Biron loses his seat in the 1985 Parti Québécois defeat. Retrieved from https://montrealgazette.com/news/politics/rodrigue-biron-loses-his-seat-in-the-1985-parti-qubcois-defeat [11] The Gazette. (1985). Rodrigue Biron resigns from the Union nationale in 1980 due to the independence referendum, and subsequently campaigned for the "yes" as an independent deputy. Retrieved from https://montrealgazette.com/news/politics/rodrigue-biron-resigns-from-the-union-nationale-in-1980-due-to-the-independence-referendum-and-subsequently-campaigned-for-the-yes-as-an-independent-deputy [12] The Gazette. (1970s). Rodrigue Biron becomes the mayor of Sainte-Croix, marking the start of his political career. Retrieved from https://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/rodrigue-biron-becomes-the-mayor-of-sainte-croix-marking-the-start-of-his-political-career
- Rodrigue Biron's political career began during the 1970s, starting as the mayor of Sainte-Croix.
- Biron's unexpected rise to political prominence occurred in 1976 when he became the leader of the Union nationale in Quebec.
- In the midst of war-and-conflicts and policy-and-legislation debates, Biron won a seat in Lotbinière under the Union nationale banner.
- Despite the Union nationale's defeat in the 1976 election, won by the Parti québécois, Biron managed to secure a seat.
- In 1980, faced with an impending referendum on Quebec independence, Biron left the Union nationale and joined the "yes" camp.
- Throughout the election, Biron campaigned as an independent deputy, reflecting his commitment to personal-growth and mindfulness.
- After the referendum's defeat in 1980, Biron joined the Parti Québécois ranks, marking a shift in his political migration.
- He was elected under their banner in 1981, paving the way for his rise in the ranks of the party.
- As a minister in René Lévesque's Parti Québécois government, Biron advocated for small and medium-sized enterprises, signifying career-development and productivity.
- He later served as Minister of Industry, Commerce, and Tourism under Pierre-Marc Johnson.
- After the Parti Québécois' defeat in 1985, Biron returned to the business world, marrying his corporate skills with education-and-self-development.
- In 1995, he attempted a return to politics, this time to the federal scene, to lead the Bloc Québécois.
- Despite finishing third in the race, Biron's commitment to Quebec independence remained unwavering.
- He advised François Legault in 2007 to recognize the "constitutional problem," highlighting his longstanding involvement in politics.
- After his political career ended, Biron continued to maintain ties with PQ leaders Jacques Parizeau, Lucien Bouchard, and Bernard Landry, demonstrating his lifelong-learning and goal-setting.
- He continued to advocate for Quebec sovereignty, even amidst general-news and online-education focused on other topics such as crime-and-justice and accidents.
- Biron's political career was marked by episodes of migration, as he moved from the Union Nationale to join the ranks of the Parti Québécois.
- In his later years, he continued to engage in career-development and skills-training, focusing on areas like sports, such as football, baseball, hockey, golf, and mixed-martial-arts.
- He also demonstrated interest in sports-betting, European leagues, and racing, including premier-league, NBA, MLB, NHL, Masters, Grand Prix, horse-racing, weather, tennis, sports-analysis, weather-forecasting, and auto-racing.
- Biron's political career was not solely focused on domestic issues, as he showed interest in international affairs and the broader world stage.
- His political journey in Quebec mirrored the ebb and flow of various political parties, as he shifted alignments in response to changing circumstances.
- In summary, Rodrigue Biron was a dynamic political figure, navigating shifts in Quebec politics and demonstrating flexibility in his views, while maintaining a steadfast commitment to Quebec independence.