By McGill Reporter Staff
An even dozen McGill alumni populate both sides of the National Assembly following this spring’s provincial election. As in the House of Commons in Ottawa, McGillians can be found both in government and opposition, in considerable numbers.
On Wednesday, Premier Philippe Couillard named three of the McGill cohort in Quebec City to his cabinet – Carlos Leitao as Minister of Finance; Kathleen Weil as Minister of Immigration, Diversity and Inclusiveness; and Geoff Kelley, who sported a red McGill tie, as he was sworn in as Minister of Native Affairs, a post he has held before. Saul Polo and Rita de Santis were named Parliamentary Secretaries.
As well, Couillard reunited the Ministries of Education and Superior Education and put them under the direction of former health minister Yves Bolduc, who becomes Minister of Education, Recreation and Sport and Higher Education, Research and Science.
Principal Suzanne Fortier congratulated Couillard on his first cabinet and said she was especially pleased by the Bolduc’s nomination as well as that of Jacques Daoust, who was named Minister of the Economy, Innovation and Exports.
“McGill University was able to count on Dr. Bolduc’s support on several files when he was Minister of Health and Social Services,” Fortier said in a statement. “We look forward to continuing the fruitful collaboration we established with this experienced minister on issues that relate to Quebec universities and higher education.”
As for Daoust, Prof. Fortier said: “Universities, and McGill University in particular, are essential players in innovation and in the economic and social prosperity of Quebec. We offer Minister Daoust all of our support in his new role and will continue to work with the government of Quebec to maximize the impact of research by combining our strengths with those of industry.”
Here’s the full list of McGill alumni in the National Assembly:
1. Geoffrey Kelley (Liberal), MNA for Jacques-Cartier, holds a BA in History and a Master’s in modern Canadian History, both from McGill.
2. Carlos Leitao (Liberal), representing Robert Baldwin, earned a Bachelor’s degree in economics from McGill.
3. Gerry Sklavounos (Liberal), MNA from Laurier-Dorion, holds McGill degrees in Common and Civil Law.
4. François Ouimet (Liberal), MNA from Marquette, also holds McGill degrees in Common and Civil Law.
5. Saul Polo (Liberal), representing Laval-des-Rapides, holds two graduate degrees from McGill.
6. Kathleen Weil (Liberal) MNA from Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, holds a BA in history and political science as well as degrees in Common and Civil Law from McGill.
7. Rita de Santis (Liberal) representing Bourassa-Sauvé, earned a BSc in biochemistry as well as law degrees.
8. Véronique Hivon (Parti Québécois), MNA for Joliette, holds degrees in Common and Civil Law from McGill.
9. Martine Ouellet (Parti Québécois), representing Vachon, has a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from McGill.
10. Amir Khadir (Québec solidaire), MNA for Mercier, holds a Master’s degree in Physics from McGill.
11. Christian Dubé, (Coalition Avenir du Québec), MNA from Lévis, earned a Bachelor’s degree in engineering from McGill.
12. Claire Samson, (Coalition Avenir du Québec), representing d’Iberville, holds a Bachelor of Science degree from McGill.