A conservative and strong supporter of provincial rights, he was a founder of the Union Nationale party (1935), and his governments were characterized by the lavish use of patronage, anti-communism and strong-arm methods against labor unions, and effective electoral campaigning, often involving the Roman Catholic Church. A slogan commonly heard from the pulpit was Le ciel est bleu; l'enfer est rouge (Heaven is blue Union Nationale; Hell is red [ Liberal ]).
On January 21, 1948 he made one of his most enduring contributions to Quebec with the adoption of a national flag, the fleurdelysé, which replaced Great Britain's Union Jack at the top of the National Assembly.
After his death, Quebec society was caught up in a swift socio-cultural change away from his conservative, church-oriented policies towards a highly secular, socially liberal welfare state. This was called the Quiet Revolution (Révolution tranquille).
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Preceded by: Adélard Godbout | List of Quebec premiers |
Succeeded by: Adélard Godbout |
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Preceded by: Adélard Godbout | List of Quebec premiers |
Succeeded by: Paul Sauvé |