Born in Bedford (Missisquoi) on July 16, 1950
Education
Law degree, University of Ottawa (1973)
Graduate studies in bills of exchange and business law, University of Ottawa (1974)
Barreau du Québec (1975)
Professional experience
- Founding partner, Paradis, Paradis and Associates law firm (1975)
- Partner, Paradis, Paradis and Associates law firm (1975 -1980)
Community and political activities
- Leadership candidate, QLP (1983)
Political, parliamentary and ministerial functions
Elected as Member for Brome-Missisquoi in the by-election of November 17, 1980
Re-elected as Member for Brome-Missisquoi in the general election of April 13, 1981
- Official Opposition critic for financial commitments and labour
- Official Opposition critic for social affairs
Re-elected as Member for Brome-Missisquoi in the general election of December 2, 1985
- Minister of Labour, December 12, 1985 to June 23, 1988
- Minister of Manpower and Income Security, December 12, 1985 to June 23, 1988
- Minister of Municipal Affairs, June 23, 1988 to October 11, 1989
- Minister responsible for Housing, June 23, 1988 to October 11, 1989
Re-elected as Member for Brome-Missisquoi in the general election of September 25, 1989
- Minister of the Environment, October 11, 1989 to January 11, 1994
- Government House Leader, November 12, 1992 to September 26, 1994
- Minister of the Environment and Wildlife, January 11, 1994 to September 26, 1994
Re-elected as Member for Brome-Missisquoi in the general election of September 12, 1994
- Official Opposition House Leader
- Member of the Commission of the National Assembly
- Member of the Subcommittee on Parliamentary Reform
- Member of the Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
- Spokesperson of the Opposition on regional development and electoral reform
- Spokesperson of the Opposition on parliamentary reform and health
- Member of the Committee on Social Affairs
Re-elected as Member for Brome-Missisquoi in the general election of November 30, 1998
- Parliamentary Leader of the Official Opposition, December 9, 1998 to March 12, 2003
- Member, Commission on the National Assembly, December 9, 1998 to March 12, 2003
- Official Opposition critic for parliamentary reform and health, January 19, 1999 to October 19, 2000
- Member, Québec Section, Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie (APF) until March 12, 2003
- Member, Québec Section, Ontario-Québec Parliamentary Association (APOQ) until March 12, 2003
- Official Opposition critic for rurality, October 19, 2000 to March 12, 2003
- Official Opposition critic for agriculture, October 19, 2000 to March 12, 2003
- Member, Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, March 27, 2001 to March 12, 2003
Re-elected as Member for Brome-Missisquoi in the general election of April 14, 2003
- Chairman since March 10, 2004 to February 21, 2007
- Member, Commission on Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, March 8, 2005 to November 10, 2005
Re-elected as Member for Brome-Missisquoi in the general election of March 26, 2007
- Member, Commission on the National Assembly, May 23, 2007 to November 5, 2008
- Chairman of the Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, May 25, 2007 to November 5, 2008
Re-elected as Member for Brome-Missisquoi in the general election of December 8, 2008
- Member, Commission on the National Assembly since January 15, 2009
- Chairman, Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries and Food since January 15, 2009
- Chairman, Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries, Energy, Natural Ressources since September 15, 2009