Laurier, Sir Wilfrid, 1841-1919, Canadian prime minister. He studied law at McGill Univ. His premiership of Canada (1896-1911), the first to be held by a French Canadian, was the longest continuous term in the history of the dominion. From his first speech in the Quebec legislature, to which he was elected in 1871, his notable oratory was recognized. He served (1874-78) in the Canadian House of Commons, where he worked for moderate protection and for cooperation between the French and British in Canada, an objective which was his lifelong concern. He was briefly (1877-78) a minister in the cabinet of Alexander Mackenzie. Then, while the Conservative party was in power, he was prominent in the Liberal opposition in Parliament; in 1887 he succeeded Edward Blake as Liberal leader. As prime minister, he formed a strong administration and helped to build a national image for Canada. When in 1911 his party met defeat on the question of trade reciprocity with the United States, he resigned. The years of his ministry witnessed Canada's steady growth and progress. Ambitious for the development of the dominion, but within the framework of the empire, Laurier was committed to such policies as the development of the Western territories, building up railroads, tariff arrangements with the United States as well as Great Britain, and control by Canada of her own defenses. As leader of the Liberal opposition during World War I, he supported Great Britain, but opposed conscription and refused to form a coalition with the Conservative government of Canada in 1917. He was knighted in 1897.

(born Nov. 20, 1841, Saint-Lin, Canada East—died Feb. 17, 1919, Ottawa, Ont., Can.) Prime minister of Canada (1896–1911). He studied law at McGill University, where he was a leading member of the liberal Institut Canadien. He served in the Quebec legislature (1871–74) and the Canadian House of Commons (1874–1919), where in 1885 he delivered a plea for clemency for Louis Riel. Leading the Liberal Party to victory in the election of 1896, he became prime minister, the first French Canadian and Roman Catholic to hold that office. He advocated unity between English and French Canadians, development of the western territories, protection of Canadian industry, and expansion of the transportation system. His insistence on protecting Canadian autonomy in its relations with Britain helped shape the modern concept of a British Commonwealth of independent states. His support for a treaty of reciprocity with the U.S. contributed to his government's defeat in 1911. Laurier is remembered as one of Canada's most outstanding statesmen.

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(born Nov. 20, 1841, Saint-Lin, Canada East—died Feb. 17, 1919, Ottawa, Ont., Can.) Prime minister of Canada (1896–1911). He studied law at McGill University, where he was a leading member of the liberal Institut Canadien. He served in the Quebec legislature (1871–74) and the Canadian House of Commons (1874–1919), where in 1885 he delivered a plea for clemency for Louis Riel. Leading the Liberal Party to victory in the election of 1896, he became prime minister, the first French Canadian and Roman Catholic to hold that office. He advocated unity between English and French Canadians, development of the western territories, protection of Canadian industry, and expansion of the transportation system. His insistence on protecting Canadian autonomy in its relations with Britain helped shape the modern concept of a British Commonwealth of independent states. His support for a treaty of reciprocity with the U.S. contributed to his government's defeat in 1911. Laurier is remembered as one of Canada's most outstanding statesmen.

Learn more about Laurier, Sir Wilfrid with a free trial on Britannica.com.

Mont-Laurier is a town in northwest Quebec, Canada located on the banks of the Rivière du Lièvre, a tributary of the Ottawa River. It is known as the "Capital of the Haute-Laurentides". In 2003, it was merged with neighbouring Des Ruisseaux. According to the Canada 2006 Census, the population is 13,405. Mont-Laurier is the seat of Antoine-Labelle Regional County Municipality.

History

Rapide-de-l'Orignal was founded at the current location of Mont-Laurier, on the Lievre River, in 1885, by Solime Alix. The name was changed in 1909 to honour Canada's Prime Minister Sir Wilfrid Laurier. In 1940, a road from Mont-Laurier to Abitibi was built. This facilitated the growth of the trucking industry.

Law and government

The current mayor of Mont-Laurier is Michel Adrien, a black immigrant from Haiti. He was elected in 2003. It is notable that M. Adrien was elected with an 80% majority in a town where more than 99% of the population is white. A city council is also in place. With no opponent running against him, Adrien was acclaimed (although technically reelected) for a second term on November 6, 2005. The motto of the town is Laurus elationis praemium, which translates to "Lift the laurels of reward".

Geography

Mont-Laurier is located on the banks of the Rivière du Lièvre, A tributary of the Ottawa River, about 200 kilometres from its mouth. Its location in the Laurentian range of mountains places it at an altitude of 244 metres above sea level. It is surrounded by numerous lakes and mixed forests that support hunting, fishing and leisure, but also logging.

Mont-Laurier is located at the halfway point of the major roadway from Montreal to Abitibi, Route 117, about 250 kilometres northwest of Montreal. Route 309 follows the Lievre and leads to Hull and Ottawa, 216 kilometres to the south.

Economy

Mont-Laurier is the administrative and commercial centre of the Haute-Lievre area. Many residents are employed by the various governments, the schools and the hospital. Most of the economic activity is generated by tourism, road transport and forestry. There is some agriculture, mostly dairy farming, and dairy products manufacturing.

Notable Natives

• Sylvain Pagé, member of L'Assemblée nationale du Québec
• Yvon Charbonneau, Union leader
• Dan Cloutier, National Hockey League Goaltender
• Michel Melançon, Drummer, "Emerson Drive"

References

• Ville de Mont-Laurier
• Coursol, Luc, Histoire de Mont-Laurier, 1940-1990, Les éditions Luc Coursol, 1991. ISBN 2-9802465-0-6