MONTREAL – Quebecers will vote in a provincial election on Sept. 4. Premier Jean Charest is seeking a fourth consecutive mandate. Here is a sketch of the Liberal leader:
Born: June 24, 1958, in Sherbrooke, Que.
Education: Law degree from Universite de Sherbrooke.
Professional career: Admitted to Quebec bar in 1981.
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Political career: Elected as Conservative MP for Sherbrooke in 1984 and served there until 1998; became youngest federal minister in Canadian history in 1986, as minister for youth, but had to resign in 1990 after improperly calling a judge about a case; returned to cabinet as environment minister in 1991; deputy prime minister from June 25, 1993, until Nov. 3, 1993; leader of federal Progressive Conservative party from 1993 to 1998; became leader of Quebec Liberal party in 1998 and Quebec premier in 2003. Re-elected with minority government in 2007 and majority in 2008.
Personal: Married, with three grown children.
Quote: “Now is the time for the silent majority to speak. In the last few months we’ve heard alot from a number of student leaders. We’ve heard from people in the street. We’ve heard from those who have been hitting away at pots and pans. Now is the time for the silent majority to speak.” – Charest, on student protests as a campaign theme.
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