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Governor General Jeanne Sauvé

By Susan Munroe, About.com

Jeanne Sauvé, Governor General of Canada

Jeanne Sauvé, Governor General of Canada

Harry Palmer / Library and Archives Canada / PA-182418

About Jeanne Sauvé:

Jeanne Sauvé was elegant, quick-witted and dynamic. She made a number of breakthroughs for women in government and politics in Canada.

  • In 1972 Jeanne Sauvé was one of the three first women members of parliament to be elected from Quebec

  • Jeanne Sauvé was the first woman cabinet minister from Quebec

  • Jeanne Sauvé was the first woman Speaker of the House of Commons

  • Jeanne Sauvé was the first woman Governor General of Canada

Governor General of Canada:

1984-90

Speaker of the House of Commons:

1980-84

Birth and Death:

  • Born April 26, 1922 in Prud'homme, Sask.
  • Died January 26, 1993 in Montreal, Que.

Education:

  • University of Ottawa
  • University of Montreal
  • Diploma in French Civilization - University of Paris

Professional Background of Jeanne Sauvé:

  • Freelance broadcast journalist 1952-72
  • Founder of the Jeanne Sauvé Youth Foundation 1990

Political Affiliation:

Liberal Party of Canada

Federal Ridings (Electoral Districts):

  • Ahunstic 1972-79
  • Laval-des-Rapides 1979-84

Political Career of Jeanne Sauvé:

  • Jeanne Sauvé was first elected to the House of Commons in 1972.

  • She also became Minister of State for Science and Technology in 1972.

  • Jeanne Sauvé was promoted to Minister of the Environment in 1974.

  • She was again promoted in 1975 to become Minister of Communications.

  • Jeanne Sauvé was elected Speaker of the House of Commons in 1980.

  • As House of Commons Speaker, Jeanne Sauvé modernized the administrative and financial management of the House of Commons.

Jeanne Sauvé Becomes Governor General of Canada:

  • Jeanne Sauvé was appointed Governor General of Canada by Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau in 1984.

  • During her term of office as Governor General of Canada, Jeanne Sauvé emphasized the themes of peace, national unity and young people.

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