Jean Charest
DCL Foundation Event Speaker, Protecting Democracy in the Modern Age
As Deputy Prime Minister of Canada and Premier of Qu茅bec, and with a public service career spanning almost 30 years, Jean Charest is one of Canada鈥檚 best known political figures.
Jean Charest was first elected to the House of Commons in 1984 and, at age 28, became Canada鈥檚 youngest cabinet minister as Minister of State for Youth. In 1991, he was named Minister of the Environment and Minister of Consumer and Corporate Affairs and Registrar General and Deputy Prime Minister of Canada in 1993.
In 1994, Jean Charest was chosen Leader of the federal Progressive Conservative Party. He held that post until 1998 when he became Leader of the Quebec Liberal Party. Mr.聽Charest then broke a 50-year provincial record by winning three consecutive election campaigns in 2003, 2007 and 2008.
Furthermore, the Charest government initiated an unprecedented labour mobility agreement between France and Qu茅bec and was best known for a major initiative for the sustainable development of Northern Qu茅bec called 鈥淧lan Nord鈥�. Jean Charest is notably the initiator of the negotiation for the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA).
He is today a Partner at Canadian firm Therrien, Couture, Joli-Coeur, where he provides invaluable expertise to the firm鈥檚 clients with his in-depth knowledge and experience with public policy, corporate Canada, and international matters. As a strategic advisor with a unique perspective, he supports clients on complex transactions, projects, and international mandates.