Jean-Charles Chapais

Jean -Charles Chapais, PC ( born December 2, 1811 in Rivière Ouelle, , Lower Canada, † July 17, 1885 in Ottawa ) was a Canadian politician. As one of the Fathers of Confederation, he is among the pioneers of the Canadian federal government established in 1867. From 1867 to 1873 he was Minister in the Federal Cabinet, from 1869 until his death he represented the province of Quebec in the Senate.

Biography

Chapais received a higher education at the seminary in Nicolet. He then worked in Saint- Denis as a wholesaler, a farmer and rancher. Through its various business activities, he acquired a fortune. As Saint- Denis in 1845 was granted the status of a municipality, Chapais became the first mayor. In February 1851 he stood as a candidate in a by-election for a seat in the House of the Province of Canada, but lost in the electoral district of Kamouraska against Luc Letellier de Saint -Just. But in November of that year he was able to prevail against Letellier and enter parliament.

Beginning in 1864, Chapais held the office of the Commissioner for Public Works in the liberal- conservative coalition government. In this role he was responsible for the founding of the Intercolonial Railway and the extension of the Grand Trunk Railway. In October 1864 he was a delegate participated in the Quebec Conference, where it was to advise on the creation of a federal state. From 1867 to 1869 he was a deputy of the National Assembly of Quebec. Although not represented in the federal parliament, Chapais was Prime Minister Sir John A. Macdonald in July 1867 as Minister of Agriculture in the cabinet. In January 1868, he appointed him to Canada. After a cabinet reshuffle Chapais was from November 1869 Treasurer. In January 1873 he resigned from his ministerial post, Senator he stayed another twelve years until his death.

His son Thomas Chapais was from 1919 to 1946 also Senator.