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Girard, Marc-Amable
Marc-Amable Girard, notary, politician, premier of Manitoba (b at Varennes, LC 25 Apr 1822; d at St-Boniface, Man 12 Sept 1892). A Conservative and disciple of George-Étienne CARTIER, Girard came to Manitoba 1870 to uphold French language, religious and political rights as guaranteed by the Manitoba Act. He served on the Executive Council 1870-72 and in the Assembly 1870-83. In 1871 he was appointed to the Canadian Senate. Girard became premier of Manitoba June 1874, the first French Canadian to hold that post, but resigned later that year. He served in John NORQUAY's Cabinet 1879-83. Girard was a man of compromise, respected for his personal charm and integrity, but he lacked the leadership necessary to promote French Canadian political interests during a critical transition.
