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Marc Lalonde was a Canadian politician and former Member of Parliament. He served as the Minister of Health and Welfare from 1977 to 1984.
He later worked as the President of the Treasury Board from 1984 to 1986, and as the Minister of State for Economic and Regional Development from 1986 to 1988 under Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau.
Lalonde was born on July 26, 1929, in Île-Perrot, Quebec, Canada. Lalonde’s political career began in 1964 when he was elected to the House of Commons as a Member of Parliament for the riding of Outremont.
Before he lost his seat in the 1972 federal election, he was re-elected in 1965 and 1968. Lalonde, however, entered politics once more in 1974 after winning re-election to the Commons. He kept it until 1988 when he decided to leave politics.
The Canada Health Act, which established the concepts of universal healthcare and accessibility to medical services for all Canadians, was put into effect thanks in large part to Lalonde’s efforts while he was in office.
He also had a significant impact on the development of the Canada Pension Plan, which offers Canadians benefits for retirement, disability, and survivorship.
Lalonde was renowned for his progressive ideologies and stances, especially in the fields of social welfare and healthcare. He encouraged preventative healthcare practices to enhance Canadians’ general health and was a fervent supporter of a federal pharmacare program.
Lalonde had two children, a son named Claude and a daughter named Martine, while he was married to Liliane Lalonde. Following in his father’s footsteps, Claude Lalonde entered politics and represented the Liberal Party of Canada in parliament from 1993 until 1997.
On the other side, Martine Lalonde chose to work in the arts and is a skilled writer and filmmaker. The celebrated Canadian painter Laura Muntz Lyall’s life and career are examined in “In Search of Laura,” one of the short films and documentaries she has made.
Lalonde was involved in numerous international organizations in addition to his contributions to Canadian politics. He was the President of the World Health Assembly and a member of the World Health Organization’s Executive Board.
Throughout his career, he received a great deal of recognition, including being named a Companion of the Order of Canada in 1984.
Lalonde passed away on May 7, 2023, at the age of 93. His death was met with an outpouring of tributes from politicians and Canadians across the country, who recognized his contributions to healthcare and social welfare in Canada.
Lalonde’s legacy as a champion of progressive policies and a dedicated public servant continues to inspire future generations of Canadians.
Marc Lalonde Children
Marc Lalonde was married to his wife Lise Lalonde for more than 60 years, and they had four children together. Their children include daughter Nathalie Lalonde and sons Yves, Martin, and Eric Lalonde.
Nathalie Lalonde
Nathalie Lalonde is a lawyer and was appointed as a judge of the Quebec Court in 2018. She has also served as the Chairperson of the Quebec Human Rights Commission and the President of the Quebec Bar Association.
Yves Lalonde
Yves Lalonde is a doctor and professor of medicine at the Université de Montréal. He specializes in neurology and has conducted extensive research in the field.
Martin Lalonde
Martin Lalonde is a lawyer and has worked in various positions in both the private and public sectors. He has also been involved in politics, serving as the president of the Quebec Liberal Party from 1998 to 2002.
Eric Lalonde
Eric Lalonde is a businessman and has worked in various industries, including real estate and telecommunications.
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