Henri Bourassa

Born in Montebello, Quebec, Henri Bourassa (1868–1952) was a politician and journalist. He began his political career in 1890 when he was elected Mayor of Montebello. As a politician, he served as a Liberal Member of Parliament from 1896 to 1899 and as an Independent from 1900 to 1905. He served in the Quebec National Assembly between 1908 and 1912, and later represented Labelle Quebec as an Independent in Ottawa (1925–1935). As a journalist, Bourassa founded Le Devoir in 1910, working as the newspaper’s editor until 1932. As both politician and journalist, Bourassa is remembered for promoting Canada’s independence from Britain (especially in military matters), advocating national Anglo-French linguistic and cultural duality, opposing women’s suffrage, and maintaining a strong Catholic faith that put public welfare ahead of private gain.

Henri Bourassa in 1917 when he was leading the French-Canadian opposition to conscription. He returned to the House of Commons in the 1925 election as an Independent member.
Library and Archives Canada, C-009092