Charles Lapointe

Charles Lapointe, born on July seventeenth, nineteen forty-four, is a distinguished Canadian businessman and former politician whose career spans several decades. He first entered the political arena as a Liberal Member of Parliament for Charlevoix, winning his seat in the House of Commons during the nineteen seventy-four federal election. His political journey included serving as a Canadian delegate to the United Nations General Assembly in nineteen seventy-six and as parliamentary secretary to the Transport minister from nineteen seventy-seven to nineteen seventy-nine.

In the nineteen seventy-nine federal election, Lapointe was re-elected, despite the defeat of the Liberal government. When the Liberals regained power in the nineteen eighty election, he was appointed by Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau as Minister of State for Small Businesses and Tourism. His cabinet roles expanded in the following years, as he became Minister of State for External Relations in nineteen eighty-two and was later promoted to Minister of Supply and Services and Receiver-General in nineteen eighty-three.

Under the leadership of John Turner, who succeeded Trudeau in June nineteen eighty-four, Lapointe retained his position as Minister of Supply and Services while also taking on the role of Minister of Public Works. However, this tenure was brief, as both the Liberal government and Lapointe faced defeat in the fall federal election.

Transitioning back to the private sector, Lapointe took on significant roles, including president of the International Aeroplane Company and vice-president of business development for Lavalin. In nineteen eighty-nine, he became the president and chief executive officer of the Greater Montreal Convention and Tourism Bureau, a position he held until his retirement in two thousand thirteen. His leadership extended to the Canadian Tourism Commission, where he served as chairman starting in two thousand two.

In January two thousand seven, Lapointe made headlines when he criticized the cleanliness of Montreal, prompting Mayor Gérald Tremblay to request his resignation. However, he remained in his role, supported by many. Notably, Lapointe was openly gay among his colleagues but chose not to publicly discuss his sexuality during his parliamentary career. He was instrumental in promoting Montreal as a gay tourism destination, fostering partnerships with LGBT events and culminating in the city's hosting of the World Outgames in two thousand six. In recognition of his contributions, he received the Hanns Ebensten Hall of Fame Award from the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association in two thousand thirteen.