Prosper-Edmond Lessard
Encyclopedia
Prosper-Edmond Lessard was a member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta
from 1909 to 1921 sitting with the Liberal caucus in government. He also served in the Canadian Senate
from 1925 to his death in 1931 sitting with the federal Liberal caucus.
, Quebec
. He left home seeking his fortune in the 1898 Klondike Gold Rush
. He stopped in Edmonton
on his way there, and became a leading citizen in the Franco-Albertan
community.
as a Liberal candidate. He won the new Pakan electoral district by acclamation.
The 1913 boundary redistribution would see Pakan abolished. Lessard ran for re-election in the new St. Paul
electoral district in the election held that year
. He won a closely contested two way race over Conservative candidate L. Garneau.
Lessard ran for a third term in the 1917 general election
. He doubled his vote from the previous election, rolling up a big majority to keep his seat.
Lessard ran for a fourth term in the 1921 Alberta general election
. He was defeated by United Farmers candidate Laudas Joly
in a closely contested two way race.
In 1925 Lessard was appointed to the Canadian Senate
on the advice of Prime Minister Mackenzie King
. He served until his death on April 11, 1931.
His unique downtown Edmonton area home has been declared a heritage site.
Legislative Assembly of Alberta
The Legislative Assembly of Alberta is one of two components of the Legislature of Alberta, the other being the Queen, represented by the Lieutenant-Governor of Alberta. The Alberta legislature meets in the Alberta Legislature Building in the provincial capital, Edmonton...
from 1909 to 1921 sitting with the Liberal caucus in government. He also served in the Canadian Senate
Canadian Senate
The Senate of Canada is a component of the Parliament of Canada, along with the House of Commons, and the monarch . The Senate consists of 105 members appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister...
from 1925 to his death in 1931 sitting with the federal Liberal caucus.
Early life
Lessard was born on February 3, 1873 in CranbourneSaint-Odilon-de-Cranbourne, Quebec
Saint-Odilon-de-Cranbourne is a parish in the Municipalité régionale de comté Robert-Cliche in Quebec, Canada. It is part of the Chaudière-Appalaches region and the population is 1,481 as of 2009...
, Quebec
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....
. He left home seeking his fortune in the 1898 Klondike Gold Rush
Klondike Gold Rush
The Klondike Gold Rush, also called the Yukon Gold Rush, the Alaska Gold Rush and the Last Great Gold Rush, was an attempt by an estimated 100,000 people to travel to the Klondike region the Yukon in north-western Canada between 1897 and 1899 in the hope of successfully prospecting for gold...
. He stopped in Edmonton
Edmonton
Edmonton is the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta and is the province's second-largest city. Edmonton is located on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Capital Region, which is surrounded by the central region of the province.The city and its census...
on his way there, and became a leading citizen in the Franco-Albertan
Franco-Albertan
The Franco-Albertans are an extended community of French Canadians or French-speaking people living in Alberta. They are centred in the Bonnie Doon area of Edmonton, and there are tens of thousands of Franco-Albertans living in communities such as Legal north of Edmonton, Bonnyville, Plamondon, and...
community.
Political career
Lessard ran for a seat to the Alberta Legislature in the 1909 Alberta general electionAlberta general election, 1909
The Alberta general election was 1909 was the second general election for the Province of Alberta, Canada. It was held on 22 March 1909 to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta....
as a Liberal candidate. He won the new Pakan electoral district by acclamation.
The 1913 boundary redistribution would see Pakan abolished. Lessard ran for re-election in the new St. Paul
St. Paul (provincial electoral district)
St. Paul was a provincial electoral district in Alberta, Canada. It was mandated to return a single member to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta from 1913 to 1993.-1957 liquor plebiscite:...
electoral district in the election held that year
Alberta general election, 1913
The Alberta general election of 1913 was the third general election for the Province of Alberta, Canada. The writ was dropped on 25 March 1913 and election day was held 17 April 1913 to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta. Elections in two northern districts took place on 30 July...
. He won a closely contested two way race over Conservative candidate L. Garneau.
Lessard ran for a third term in the 1917 general election
Alberta general election, 1917
The Alberta general election of 1917 was the fourth general election for the Province of Alberta, Canada, held on 7 June 1917 to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta....
. He doubled his vote from the previous election, rolling up a big majority to keep his seat.
Lessard ran for a fourth term in the 1921 Alberta general election
Alberta general election, 1921
The Alberta general election of 1921 was the fifth general election for the Province of Alberta, Canada. It was held on July 18, 1921 to elect members to the 5th Alberta Legislative Assembly....
. He was defeated by United Farmers candidate Laudas Joly
Laudas Joly
Laudas Joly was a provincial politician from Alberta, Canada. He served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta twice...
in a closely contested two way race.
In 1925 Lessard was appointed to the Canadian Senate
Canadian Senate
The Senate of Canada is a component of the Parliament of Canada, along with the House of Commons, and the monarch . The Senate consists of 105 members appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister...
on the advice of Prime Minister Mackenzie King
William Lyon Mackenzie King
William Lyon Mackenzie King, PC, OM, CMG was the dominant Canadian political leader from the 1920s through the 1940s. He served as the tenth Prime Minister of Canada from December 29, 1921 to June 28, 1926; from September 25, 1926 to August 7, 1930; and from October 23, 1935 to November 15, 1948...
. He served until his death on April 11, 1931.
His unique downtown Edmonton area home has been declared a heritage site.