Home > Jean Pelletier

He began his political career with the Union Nationale and was elected mayor of Quebec City in 1977 a position he held until 1988. With the demise of the Union Nationale he moved to the Liberals and was a failed Liberal candidate in the 1993 election.

He has long been a close ally and a very close friend of Jean Chrétien. They have known each other for fifty years, having first met at boarding school while still youths. They attended law school together and earned similar reputations as aggressive fighters. When Chrétien became Prime Minister in 1993 Pelletier became the Chief of Staff in the Prime Minister's Office.

He was known as the person who would aggressively fight for the prime minister's interests. He was nicknamed the "Silent Executioner" for the ease with which he could end problems, and sometimes others' political careers, without causing any fracas in the media. He was often considered the second most powerful man in Canada, after Chrétien. He was a leader in the unsuccessful battle to keep Paul MartinPaul Martin Rank 21st Term of Office December 12, 2003 Present Predecessor Jean Chretien Date of Birth August 28, 1938 Place of Birth Windsor, Ontario Spouse Sheila Ann Cowan Profession businessman, politician Political Party Liberal The Right Honourable from taking over the party in 20032003 is a common year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar), and also: The International Year of Freshwater The European Disability Year Summary Perhaps the defining global event of the year 2003 was the Invasion of Iraq launched by the U.

On May 4May 4 is the 124th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (125th in leap years). There are 241 days remaining. Events 1471 Wars of the Roses: The Battle of Tewkesbury Edward IV defeats a Lancastrian Army and kills Edward, Prince of Wales. 1493 Pope Ale, 20012001 is a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar), and also: The International Year of the Volunteer The United Nations Year of Dialogue Among Civilizations Events January January 1 A black monolith measuring approximately nine feet tall ap, Chrétien appointed Pelletier head of VIA Rail, a Crown corporationIn Commonwealth countries a Crown corporation is a state-controlled company or enterprise (a public corporation). Crown corporations, in theory, operate on a day-to-day basis at arm's length from the political control of government. Direct control by gove. Pelletier was a life-long train aficionado and the appointment was a reward for his years of service. Soon after, Chrétien promised an extra $700 million to improve VIA's service. In 1985, Pelletier was made a Member of the Order of CanadaThe Order of Canada is Canada's highest civilian honour, awarded to those who adhere to the Order's motto Desiderantes meliorem patriam meaning "they desire a better country. The Order was created on July 1, 1967, on the country's 100th anniversary, to re and promoted to Officer in 2003.

On March 1March 1 is the 60th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (61st in leap years). There are 305 days remaining. Events BC 29 BC Horace writes the ode Occidit Daci Cotisonis agmen''. AD First thousand years 286 Maximian proclaimed junior Roman emperor., 2004, Pelletier was fired from his VIA post by Prime Minister Martin after becoming embroiled in the Liberal Party sponsorship scandal. VIA was accused of skipping mandated procedures in order to hand out contracts to Liberal-friendly firms and individuals. Pelletier was not at VIA for most of these occurrences. He was fired instead for remarks he made to Montreal's La Presse newspaper attacking popular Olympic athlete Myriam Bédard. Talking about Bédard, who had held a marketing position at VIA and had gone to the media with stories of corruption, Pelletier said "I don't want to be mean, but this is a poor girl who deserves pity, who doesn't have a spouse, as far as I know." He later reiterated that "She is struggling as a single mother with economic responsibilities. Deep down, I think she is pitiful."

This caused an immediate media fracas. The remarks were widely condemned as sexist and out-of-touch by an unending flow of women's group representatives, sports group representatives and others, and led to his almost immediate dismissal.

On March 30, 2004, Pelletier sued VIA and the federal government for $3 million, for defamation and illegal dismissal.