Gérard Pelletier (; June 21, 1919 – June 22, 1997) was a Canadian journalist and politician.
Career
Pelletier initially worked as a journalist for ''
Le Devoir
(, ) is a French-language newspaper published in Montreal and distributed in Quebec and throughout Canada. It was founded by journalist and politician Henri Bourassa in 1910.
is one of few independent large-circulation newspapers in Quebec ...
'', a French-language newspaper in
Montreal
Montreal is the List of towns in Quebec, largest city in the Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Quebec, the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, second-largest in Canada, and the List of North American cit ...
,
Quebec
Quebec is Canada's List of Canadian provinces and territories by area, largest province by area. Located in Central Canada, the province shares borders with the provinces of Ontario to the west, Newfoundland and Labrador to the northeast, ...
. In 1961 he became editor-in-chief of the Montreal daily and North America's largest French circulating newspaper,
''La Presse''. Pelletier, with other French-Canadian intellectuals,
Pierre Elliott Trudeau included, founded the journal ''
Cité Libre''. First elected to Parliament in 1965, he served as a member of the
cabinet of Pierre Elliott Trudeau.
In 1964 he made a small appearance in
Denis Héroux's student film ''
Over My Head (Jusqu'au cou)'', as himself in a political debate.
[Benoît Aubin]
"Des films oubliés de la «belle époque»"
''Le Journal de Montréal
is a daily French-language tabloid newspaper published in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It has the largest circulation of any newspaper in Quebec and is also the largest French-language daily newspaper in North America. Established by Pierre Pé ...
'', September 14, 2010.

Pelletier met Trudeau while studying in
France
France, officially the French Republic, is a country located primarily in Western Europe. Overseas France, Its overseas regions and territories include French Guiana in South America, Saint Pierre and Miquelon in the Atlantic Ocean#North Atlan ...
and worked with him and
Jean Marchand
Jean Marchand (December 20, 1918 – August 28, 1988) was a French Canadian public figure, trade unionist and politician in Quebec, Canada.
Life and career
During the 1949 Asbestos Strike in Quebec, Marchand led the striking workers as s ...
during the
Asbestos Strike of 1949 in Quebec. Dubbed the "Three Wise Men" in English and ''Les trois colombes'' (The three doves) in French, they entered politics at the same time in the
federal election of 1965. The trio was recruited by Liberal prime minister Lester Pearson to help derail the rising
Quebec separatist movement.
He served in various cabinet posts in the Trudeau government until 1975 (Secretary of State: 1968–1973, Minister of Communications: 1973–5), when he left the Liberal caucus and became ambassador to
France
France, officially the French Republic, is a country located primarily in Western Europe. Overseas France, Its overseas regions and territories include French Guiana in South America, Saint Pierre and Miquelon in the Atlantic Ocean#North Atlan ...
and then ambassador to the
United Nations
The United Nations (UN) is the Earth, global intergovernmental organization established by the signing of the Charter of the United Nations, UN Charter on 26 June 1945 with the stated purpose of maintaining international peace and internationa ...
(1981–1984). In 1978 he was made a Companion of the
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada () is a Canadian state order, national order and the second-highest Award, honour for merit in the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, after the Order of Merit.
To coincide with the Canadian Centennial, ce ...
.
Bibliography
As author
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Contributions
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Electoral record
References
External links
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Gérard Pelletier fonds, Library and Archives Canada
{{DEFAULTSORT:Pelletier, Gerard
1919 births
1997 deaths
Ambassadors of Canada to France
Permanent representatives of Canada to the United Nations
Liberal Party of Canada MPs
Members of the House of Commons of Canada from Quebec
Companions of the Order of Canada
Members of the King's Privy Council for Canada
People from Victoriaville
20th-century members of the House of Commons of Canada