Sam Elkas (born March 31, 1938) is a former Canadian politician, who represented the electoral district of Robert-Baldwin in the National Assembly of Quebec from 1989 to 1994.[1]

Sam Elkas
MNA for Robert-Baldwin
In office
1989–1994
Preceded byPierre MacDonald
Succeeded byPierre Marsan
Personal details
Born (1938-03-31) March 31, 1938 (age 86)
Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
Political partyQuebec Liberal Party

Prior to his election to the legislature, Elkas worked as a manager and executive for Bell Canada, and served from 1975 to 1989 as mayor of Kirkland.[2] During his provincial election campaign, he faced a minor controversy when his campaign team released a poorly-translated English campaign brochure,[3] but he won the seat in the 1989 Quebec general election over challenger Adrian Waller of the Equality Party.[1]

Premier Robert Bourassa named Elkas to the Executive Council of Quebec as Minister of Transport and Minister of Public Security on October 11, 1989.[4] He faced some criticism for his handling of the summer 1990 Oka Crisis,[5] and was shuffled out of the public security role in October 1990,[6] but retained the transport post until January 1994, when he was dropped from cabinet after Daniel Johnson succeeded Bourassa as premier.[7]

He did not run for re-election in the 1994 Quebec general election.[8]

He subsequently served on the governing board of Bishop's University, and the administrative council of the Port of Montreal.

References

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  1. ^ a b Graeme Hamilton, "Elkas survives scare from Equality Party; Kirkland mayor repeats pledge to work from within Liberal government". Montreal Gazette, September 26, 1989.
  2. ^ Catherine Buckie, "Kirkland's Elkas eager to fight his first real election campaign". Montreal Gazette, August 24, 1989.
  3. ^ Aaron Derfel, "Elkas blames poor organization for incomprehensible pamphlet". Montreal Gazette, August 24, 1989.
  4. ^ Sarah Scott, "Elkas joins big guns in cabinet; Cote takes over health portfolio, Paradis to head Environment Department". Montreal Gazette, October 12, 1989.
  5. ^ Philip Authier, "Elkas denies amnesty offered to Warriors if barricades lifted". Montreal Gazette, August 31, 1990.
  6. ^ Robert McKenzie, "Bourassa boots 2 key ministers in Oka crisis". Toronto Star, October 5, 1990.
  7. ^ Philip Authier, "Elkas not bitter about move to backbenches". Montreal Gazette, January 12, 1994.
  8. ^ "Ex-Cabinet Minister Sam Elkas says he's leaving politics". Canadian Press, Juny 20, 1994.