Honorary degree citation - Jean-Jacques Bertrand*

By: J.W. O’Brien, November 1971

Mr. Chancellor:

I have the honour to present to you the Honourable Jean Jacques Bertrand, former Premier of Quebec.

Mr. Bertrand has been a member of the Legislature of Quebec since 1948. He was appointed Minister of Lands and Forests in 1958 and Minister of Youth and Social Welfare in 1960, and served as Minister of Education and Minister of Justice from 1966 to 1968. He was Premier from 1968 to 1970, holding at the same time the portfolios of Intergovernmental Affairs and Justice.

In his distinguished career as legislator and minister, Mr. Bertrand showed himself to be a vigorous upholder of the interests of Quebec, a dedicated Canadian, and a most effective practitioner of the complex art of federalism.

We at Sir George Williams have our particular reasons for wishing to affirm our appreciation of Mr. Bertrand. During two critical years in the development of the University, the period immediately following the opening of the Hall Building, Mr. Bertrand was Minister of Education. We thus had direct experience of his concern for the betterment of education in Quebec, his strenuous and sustained personal contribution to education in all its aspects.

Mr. Chancellor, I am honoured to present to you, on behalf of University Council, and by the authority of the Board of Governors, the Honourable Jean Jacques Bertrand, who has performed outstanding services for Quebec and for education, that you may confer on him the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa.

* deceased