Paul Bégin
Encyclopedia
Paul Bégin is a former Quebec
politician
and Cabinet Minister. Member of the Parti Québecois
, he served as the province's Justice Minister from 1994 to 1997 and from 2001 to 2002.
Begin is a graduate from the Université Laval
obtaining a law degree. He was admitted to the Barreau du Québec
in 1969 and practiced law for 25 years mostly at the law firm Pinsonneault Pothier Begin Delisle.
He was first elected in the Louis-Hébert
riding in the 1994 elections
when the Parti Québécois re-claimed power after 9 years of Liberal governance under Robert Bourassa
and Daniel Johnson Jr.. During his political career, he was also a member of Cabinet, being first named for the first time as Justice Minister in the Jacques Parizeau
(and later Lucien Bouchard
) Cabinet
from 1994 to 1997. He was also the Environment Minister from 1997 to 2001, Minister of Wildlife from 1997 to 1998 and Minister of Revenue from 1999 to 2001 before being re-named as Justice Minister in the Bernard Landry
's Cabinet for his final year until he sat as an Independent MNA
in 2002. He did not seek a third mandate in the 2003 elections
.
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
and Cabinet Minister. Member of the Parti Québecois
Parti Québécois
The Parti Québécois is a centre-left political party that advocates national sovereignty for the province of Quebec and secession from Canada. The Party traditionally has support from the labour movement. Unlike many other social-democratic parties, its ties with the labour movement are informal...
, he served as the province's Justice Minister from 1994 to 1997 and from 2001 to 2002.
Begin is a graduate from the Université Laval
Université Laval
Laval University is the oldest centre of education in Canada and was the first institution in North America to offer higher education in French...
obtaining a law degree. He was admitted to the Barreau du Québec
Barreau du Quebec
The Bar of Quebec is the provincial law society for lawyers in Quebec, Canada...
in 1969 and practiced law for 25 years mostly at the law firm Pinsonneault Pothier Begin Delisle.
He was first elected in the Louis-Hébert
Louis-Hébert (provincial electoral district)
Louis-Hébert is a provincial electoral district in the Canadian province of Quebec. Located in the Capitale-Nationale region, the riding was formed in 1965 and includes mostly central and western portions of Quebec City west of Autoroute 73 and Autoroute 740...
riding in the 1994 elections
Quebec general election, 1994
The Quebec general election of 1994 was held on September 12, 1994, to elect members of the National Assembly of Quebec, Canada. The Parti Québécois, led by Jacques Parizeau, defeated the incumbent Quebec Liberal Party, led by Daniel Johnson, Jr.....
when the Parti Québécois re-claimed power after 9 years of Liberal governance under Robert Bourassa
Robert Bourassa
Jean-Robert Bourassa, was a politician in Quebec, Canada. He served as the 22nd Premier of Quebec in two different mandates, first from May 12, 1970, to November 25, 1976, and then from December 12, 1985, to January 11, 1994, serving a total of just under 15 years as Provincial Premier.-Early...
and Daniel Johnson Jr.. During his political career, he was also a member of Cabinet, being first named for the first time as Justice Minister in the Jacques Parizeau
Jacques Parizeau
Jacques Parizeau, is an economist and noted Quebec sovereignist who was the 26th Premier of the Canadian province of Quebec from September 26, 1994 to January 29, 1996.-Early life and career:...
(and later Lucien Bouchard
Lucien Bouchard
Lucien Bouchard, is a Canadian lawyer, diplomat, politician and former Minister of the Environment of the Canadian Federal Government. He was the Leader of Opposition in the Canadian House of Commons from 1993 to 1996, and the 27th Premier of Quebec from January 29, 1996 to March 8, 2001...
) Cabinet
Cabinet (government)
A Cabinet is a body of high ranking government officials, typically representing the executive branch. It can also sometimes be referred to as the Council of Ministers, an Executive Council, or an Executive Committee.- Overview :...
from 1994 to 1997. He was also the Environment Minister from 1997 to 2001, Minister of Wildlife from 1997 to 1998 and Minister of Revenue from 1999 to 2001 before being re-named as Justice Minister in the Bernard Landry
Bernard Landry
Bernard Landry, is a Quebec lawyer, teacher, politician, who served as the 28th Premier of Quebec , leader of the Opposition and leader of the Parti Québécois .-Personal:...
's Cabinet for his final year until he sat as an Independent MNA
National Assembly of Quebec
The National Assembly of Quebec is the legislative body of the Province of Quebec. The Lieutenant Governor and the National Assembly compose the Parliament of Quebec, which operates in a fashion similar to those of other British-style parliamentary systems.The National Assembly was formerly the...
in 2002. He did not seek a third mandate in the 2003 elections
Quebec general election, 2003
The Quebec general election of 2003 was held on April 14, 2003, to elect members of the National Assembly of Quebec . The Parti libéral du Québec , led by Jean Charest, defeated the incumbent Parti Québécois, led by Bernard Landry.-Unfolding:...
.