Andrée Champagne

Andrée Champagne, born on July 17, 1939, in Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, was a multifaceted Canadian talent known for her work as an actress, pianist, and politician. She gained prominence in the 1960s for her role as Donalda in the beloved television series Les Belles Histoires des pays d'en haut, captivating audiences with her performances. Following the show's conclusion in 1970, Champagne ventured into the world of casting by establishing her own agency, continuing her commitment to the arts.

Beyond her acting career, Champagne was deeply involved in cultural advocacy. In the early 1980s, she served on the board of directors for l'Institut québécois du cinéma and held a position on the executive of l'Union des artistes. Her dedication to the artistic community led her to co-found Le Chez Nous des Artistes, a retirement home designed to support artists in their later years.

Champagne's political journey began when she ran as a Progressive Conservative candidate in the 1984 federal election, successfully securing a seat as the Member of Parliament for Saint-Hyacinthe-Bagot during a significant Tory victory. She was appointed Minister of State for Youth in Prime Minister Brian Mulroney's cabinet, showcasing her commitment to youth issues. From 1986 to 1990, she held the position of Assistant Deputy Chair of the Committee of the Whole House and was later appointed Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons in 1990, a role she maintained until her defeat in the 1993 general election.

In a notable return to public service, Champagne was appointed as a Conservative member of the Senate of Canada on August 2, 2005, by Prime Minister Paul Martin. She continued to serve in this capacity until her retirement upon reaching the age of seventy-five on July 17, 2014. Andrée Champagne passed away on June 6, 2020, in her hometown of Saint-Hyacinthe, leaving behind a legacy of artistic and political contributions.