The Honorable James Charest

The Honourable John James Charest (known as Jean Charest), born on 24 June 1958, is a Canadian lawyer and politician from the province of Quebec. He is a former leader of the federal Progressive Conservative Party (1993-8), the current leader of the Quebec Liberal Party and, the 29th Premier of Quebec.

Born in the Eastern Townships central city of Sherbrooke, Quebec, he obtained a law degree from the Université de Sherbrooke and was admitted to the Barreau du Quebec in 1981. He is married to Michèle Dionne and is the father of three children

He worked as a lawyer until he was elected Progressive Conservative member of the Canadian Parliament for the riding (electoral district) of Sherbrooke in the 1984 election. His official biography continues below

Professional experience: articling student, legal aid programme (1980-1981) ; Lawyer with Beauchemin, Dussault, Sherbrooke (1981-1984) ; Political, parliamentary and ministerial functions.

Elected to the House of Commons, Ottawa, as MP for Sherbrooke in the general election held on September 4, 1984; Assistant Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons, September 18, 1984 to June 29, 1986 ; Minister of State for Youth, Ottawa, June 30, 1986 to January 20, 1988.

Reelected to the House of Commons, Ottawa, as MP for Sherbrooke in the general election held on November 21, 1988: Minister of State for Fitness and Amateur Sport, April 30, 1988 to January 20, 1990 : Deputy Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, Ottawa ; Chair, Special Committee to Study the Proposed Companion Resolution to the Meech Lake Accord, 1990 ; Minister of the Environment, April 21, 1991 to June 24, 1993 ; Member, Cabinet Committee on Priorities and Planning and Committee on Canadian Unity and Constitutional Negotiations; Leadership candidate, Progressive Conservative Party of Canada, Ottawa, 1993; Deputy Prime Minister, June 25 to October 26, 1993; Minister of Industry and Science, June 25 to October 26, 1993; Minister responsible for the Federal Office of Regional Development - Québec, June 25 to October 26, 1993.

Reelected to the House of Commons, Ottawa, as MP for Sherbrooke in the general election held on October 25, 199: Leader, Progressive Conservative Party of Canada, December 14, 1993 to April 30, 1998 ; Vice-chair, National Committee of Quebecers for the NO side, June to November 1, 1995

Reelected to the House of Commons, Ottawa, as MP for Sherbrooke in the general election held on June 2, 1997; Leader of the Québec Liberal Party since April 30, 1998

Elected as Member for Sherbrooke in the general election held on November 30, 1998: Leader of the Official Opposition, December 15, 1998 to April 29, 2003 ; Official Opposition critic for youth matters, January 19, 1999 to April 29, 2003

Reelected as Member for Sherbrooke in the general election held on April 14, 2003: Premier of Québec since April 29, 2003 ; Minister responsible for Youth Issues since April 29, 2003 ; Chair, Comité des priorités, April 29, 2003 to June 13, 2003 and again since February 18, 2005

Reelected as Member for Sherbrooke in the general election held on March 26, 2007: Premier of Québec since April 18, 2007; Minister responsible for Youth Issues since April 18, 2007.