Bernard Valcourt
| The Honourable Bernard Valcourt |
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|---|---|
| Member of Parliament for Madawaska—Victoria | |
| In office September 4, 1984 – October 25, 1993 |
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| Preceded by | Eymard Corbin |
| Succeeded by | Pierrette Ringuette |
| MLA for Edmundston | |
| In office 1995–1999 |
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| Preceded by | Roland Beaulieu |
| Succeeded by | Madeleine Dubé |
| Member of Parliament for Madawaska—Restigouche | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office May 30, 2011 |
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| Preceded by | Jean-Claude D'Amours |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 18, 1952 Saint-Quentin, New Brunswick |
| Political party | Progessive Conservative Conservative |
| Profession | lawyer |
Bernard Valcourt, PC (born February 18, 1952) is a Canadian politician and lawyer.
Early federal political career and Mulroney cabinet
Valcourt was first elected to the House of Commons of Canada as a Progressive Conservative candidate in the 1984 election that brought Brian Mulroney to power. He was appointed to the Cabinet of Canada in 1986 as a Minister of State. In January 1989, he was promoted to Minister of Consumer and Corporate Affairs,[1] but was forced to resign from Cabinet in August when he was involved in a drunk driving motorcycle accident that cost him an eye.[2]
He returned to Cabinet seven months later as Minister of Fisheries and Oceans.[1] In 1991, he was promoted to Minister of Employment and Immigration,[1] and held the position until the government of Mulroney's successor as PC leader and prime minister, Kim Campbell, was defeated in the 1993 election. Valcourt lost his seat in Parliament in that election.
Provincial leader
In May 1995, Valcourt was elected leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick.[3] While he won a seat in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick in the 1995 provincial election, his party only won six seats against 48 for Frank McKenna's Liberals. Valcourt resigned as leader in 1997 following a lukewarm endorsement of his leadership at a party convention, and was succeeded by Bernard Lord.[4]
Return to federal politics
On March 28, 2011, Valcourt declared his candidacy in the 2011 federal election, representing the riding of Madawaska—Restigouche,[5] and was elected on May 2, 2011. He was subsequently appointed to cabinet as Minister of State for both the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and La Francophonie. His sister Martine Coulombe was elected to the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick in the 2010 provincial election.[6] On July 4, 2012, he was given the additional portfolio of Associate Minister of Defence.[7] Valcourt was part of the AEG initiative, saying co-operation between both the federal and provincial governments, as well as utilities, is key. “The Atlantic Energy Gateway initiative has brought the critical players in the region’s energy sector together to not only work toward an affordable, secure, clean energy future, but to also maximize the business and job growth potential of further developing our region’s clean and renewable energy industries,” said Valcourt in a release.[8]
On February 22, 2013, Valcourt became Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development in a cabinet shuffle.[9]
References
- ^ a b c "Guide to Canadian Ministries since Confederation". Retrieved June 7, 2010.
- ^ "No more Mr. Nice Guys?". Globe & Mail. May 21, 2010. Retrieved June 7, 2010.
- ^ "New Brunswick's new top Tory set to make political sparks fly...". Toronto Star. May 15, 1995. Retrieved June 7, 2010 (Pay-per-View).
- ^ "Valcourt resigns as leader of NB Tories Former high flyer had little...". Toronto Star (May 20, 1997 (Pay-per-View)). May 20, 1997. Retrieved June 7, 2010.
- ^ "Former Mulroney Tory cabinet minister attempting comeback in N.B. riding". Winnipeg Free Press. March 28, 2011. Retrieved March 29, 2011.
- ^ "Valcourt's sister hopes to tap ex-MP's popularity". cbc.ca, September 9, 2010.
- ^ Canadian Press (July 4, 2012). "Julian Fantino to replace Bev Oda as international co-operation minister". Toronto Star. Retrieved July 4, 2012.
- ^ "CBC news - Regional co-operation focus of energy meeting". CBC news. CBC news. Retrieved September 12, 2012.
- ^ "Bernard Valcourt, new aboriginal affairs minister, a ‘straight talker’ who knows the file". Vancouver Sun. February 22, 2013. Retrieved February 22, 2013.
External links
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Danny Cameron |
Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick 1995–1997 |
Succeeded by Elvy Robichaud |
| Party political offices | ||
| Preceded by Dennis Cochrane |
Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick 1995–1997 |
Succeeded by Bernard Lord |
| Party political offices | ||
| Preceded by James Moore |
Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development 2013–present |
Succeeded by incumbent |
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