Hédard Robichaud

Hédard Robichaud, born on November second, nineteen eleven, in Shippagan, New Brunswick, was a prominent Acadian-Canadian politician and civil servant. He was the son of Jean George Robichaud and Amanda Boudreau, and he pursued higher education at the Université Saint-Joseph, which later became the University of Moncton, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in nineteen thirty-one.

Robichaud's political career began with a bid for the House of Commons as a Liberal candidate in a nineteen fifty-two by-election for the riding of Gloucester, New Brunswick, although he did not succeed. However, he made a significant comeback in the nineteen fifty-three federal election, securing his seat and subsequently being re-elected in nineteen fifty-seven, nineteen fifty-eight, nineteen sixty-two, nineteen sixty-three, and nineteen sixty-five. His dedication to public service was evident during his tenure as the Minister of Fisheries from nineteen sixty-three to nineteen sixty-eight.

In nineteen sixty-eight, Robichaud transitioned to the Senate, representing the Senatorial division of Gloucester, New Brunswick. His commitment to serving the province culminated in his appointment as the twenty-fourth Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick in nineteen seventy-one, a position he held until nineteen eighty-one. His contributions to Canadian society were recognized in nineteen eighty-five when he was appointed an officer of the Order of Canada.

Beyond his political achievements, Hédard Robichaud was a devoted family man, married to Gertrude Léger, who lived from nineteen sixteen to two thousand eleven, and together they raised nine children. His legacy as the first Acadian to serve as Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick remains a significant part of his story.