Mr Laporte opposed Quebec separatism

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32431, 19 October 1970, Page 18

Mr Laporte opposed Quebec separatism

(N.Z.PA.-Reuter—Copyright) MONTREAL, October 18. The Quebec Minister of Labour (Mr Laporte), murdered by extremist Quebec separatists, emerged as one of the key figures in the new Liberal Government after last April’s elections. He lost to Mr Robert Bourassa in a bid for leadership of the Liberal Party early this year. But when Mr Bourassa be- i came Quebec Premier after 1 the April elections, he| brought 49-year-old Mr La-i porte into his Cabinet as Min-; ister of Labour and Immigration. Bom in Montreal, Mr La-! porte graduated from Jie University of Montreal Law School in 1945, but chose a career in journalism. For 12 years, from 1948 to 1960, he followed Quebec politics from the press gallery of the) provincial Parliament. In 1962, he won a seat in Parliament. He was named Liberal Government House Leader the next year, and in 1965 was given the Cultural Affairs portfolio. He played a leading role in I bringing about electoral an di municipal reforms, and won :

a reputation as a top debater. He took the. line that such notions as associated statehood or any other kind of special status for Frenchspeaking Quebec, were nonsense. He told an interviewer ip 1969: “Very clearly and very categorically, I see Quebec as a member of the Canadian community.” Mr Laporte was married, with two children.