Marois, Pauline

Marois, Pauline

(pōlēn` märwä`), 1949–, Canadian politician, b. Quebec. A social worker and Parti QuébécoisParti Québécois
(PQ), provincial political party committed to the independence of Quebec. Founded in 1968, it soon became a force in provincial elections. In 1976, led by René Lévesque, it captured control of the provincial assembly.
..... Click the link for more information.  (PQ) member, she was first elected to the Quebec National Assembly in 1981, and served in ministerial positions under Premier LévesqueLévesque, René
, 1922–87, Canadian political leader and Quebec separatist. After a career in journalism and television, he served in the Quebec National Assembly (1961–67) as a member of the Liberal party.
..... Click the link for more information. . After losing a PQ leadership campaign and her assembly seat in 1985, she was reelected beginning in 1989 and served in several ministerial positions under premiers Parizeau and BouchardBouchard, Lucien
, 1938–, French-Canadian separatist leader, b. Quebec. A lawyer and a political ally of Brian Mulroney, Bouchard served under him as Canada's ambassador to France (1985–88) and environment minister (1989–90).
..... Click the link for more information. . She became deputy premier under Bernard Landry in 2001. After losing the PQ leadership contest in 2005, she left politics in 2006, but became party leader following PQ losses in 2007. In 2012 the PQ won a plurality and she succeeded Jean CharestCharest, Jean
, 1958–, Canadian politician. A lawyer and member of the Progressive Conservative party, he was a member of parliament from Quebec from 1984. From 1986 to 1993 Charest served in cabinet positions—as minister of state for youth (1986–90) and
..... Click the link for more information.  to become the province's first female premier; a gunman killed one person and wounded another at her victory speech in a possible assassination attempt. Marois and the PQ lost power to the Liberals in 2014, and she resigned as PQ leader.