The Rt. Hon. Jeanne SAUVÉ

Jeanne Sauvé is remembered today as a woman who achieved a number of historic milestones in our country. She was the first woman to serve as Canada’s Governor General, the first woman Speaker of the House of Commons, the first woman Cabinet Minister from Québec and also one of the first three women elected to the House of Commons from Québec.

Born in Prud’homme, Saskatchewan, Jeanne Sauvé studied at the University of Ottawa, where she was involved in student politics. In 1948, she and her spouse moved to Europe. Madame Sauvé worked at UNESCO and obtained a diploma from the Université de Paris. After returning to Canada in 1952, Jeanne Sauvé began a distinguished career as a journalist, working for SRC, CBC, CTV and a number of other media outlets.

Her career in public life began in 1972 when she was elected to Parliament, one of the first three women from Québec to share this distinction. Jeanne Sauvé soon became the first woman Cabinet Minister from Québec, taking on the duty of Minister of State for Science and Technology. After her re-election in 1974, Madame Sauvé was named as the Minister of the Environment, and then appointed Minister of Communications in 1975.

Jeanne Sauvé became the first woman Speaker of the House of Commons in 1980. In addition to presiding ably over many contentious and historic debates, Madame Sauvé also oversaw a dramatic overhaul of the House of Commons’ financial and administrative operations, cutting waste, eliminating questionable practices, streamlining personnel and greatly improving services. She was also responsible for opening the first daycare centre on Parliament Hill.

In 1983, Jeanne Sauvé was appointed as the 23rd Governor General of Canada, the first woman to hold this important post. In this role she dedicated herself to advancing the causes of youth, international peace, and national unity. She travelled widely throughout Canada, making the office of Governor General more accessible to other Canadians. Her work on behalf of youth continued after she left office. Jeanne Sauvé died in 1993.