Grandmaître, Bernard

Bernard Grandmaître had a rich career in public service. He was an Ontario MPP from 1984 to 1999, and served as a cabinet minister, holding the portfolios of revenue, municipal affairs and Francophone affairs. In this latter role, he played a key role in 1986 passage of the landmark French Languages Services Act, which guaranteed the right of individuals to receive services in French from the Ontario government and other designated bodies. Prior to his time at Queen’s Park, he was active in municipal politics in the then-city of Vanier, where he was born, first as an alderman from 1969 to 1974, and then as mayor from 1974 to 1984. Following his retirement from active politics, he served as chair of the City of Ottawa’s French Language Services Committee.