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Caron, Sir Joseph-Philippe-René-Adolphe
Sir Joseph-Philippe-René-Adolphe Caron, politician (b at Québec C 24 Dec 1843; d at Montréal 20 Apr 1908). Seminary educated, trained as a lawyer and something of a bon vivant, Caron was a Conservative MP, 1873-1900, serving as the minister of militia and defence, 1880-92, and postmaster-general, 1892-96. Caron oversaw the expansion of the tiny Canadian permanent force in 1883, but he put his party's political interests over the military reforms urged by the British government. A master of patronage but generally a weak minister, he was surprisingly effective in mobilizing a force to counter the N orth-West Rebellion. Afterwards Caron stood by John A. MACDONALD in his determination to deal harshly with Louis RIEL. Caron was left out of the Cabinet formed in 1896 by Sir Charles TUPPER.
