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, previously the head of the National Union and Pequista's Minister, is now out of office.