Eric Kierans dead at age 90

[maplesyrup]

Eric Kierans, 90

Mr. Kierans, who died yesterday in a Montreal hospital at age 90, was a cabinet minister for six years and failed in an attempt to become leader of the federal Liberal Party but this was a poor measure of his influence. His true career was that of a gadfly and thorn in the side for those in big government and big business.

He carried impressive credentials. Apart from his cabinet service in the governments of Quebec Premier Jean Lesage and Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, he had been a director of McGill University's school of commerce before he became president of the Montreal and Canadian Stock Exchanges. He was also a self-made millionaire who made his fortune in the days when a million dollars was an impressive gauge of financial success

One of my favourite politicians has moved on to greener pastures I guess. My Dad was a very big fan of Mr Kierans, and actually worked on some of his election campaigns. Canada needs a lot more politicians like him.

[August1991]

This link provides an idea of who Kierans was (and also says something about Tommy Douglas):

Bouthillier in G&M

I never liked Bouthillier but this article is interesting for the Kieran quotes.

Kierans' memoirs "Remembering" are, along side Crosbie's "No Holds Barred", amongst the best in modern Canadian politics.

Kierans said about Trudeau (and about resigning from the federal cabinet around 1971): "Trudeau was like the Pope coming down the aisle. You can scream and shout all you want but you know he's just going to keep on walking."

Kierans' speech was filled with "lookit" and "ya know". Smart guy who couldn't speak French but understood Quebec extremely well. Apparently he was in the hospital for the past few months.