Françoise Boivin (born June 11, 1960 in Hull, Quebec) is a Canadian politician.
Boivin is a Liberal member of the Canadian House of Commons and leader of the Women's Caucus of the Liberal Party of Canada. She represents the district of Gatineau and has done so since 2004. She is a former lawyer, radio and television host. She made breakthrough in politics as newly-elected Liberal MP by being one of the first to openly oppose the US missile defence system, a point of view that ultimately became the official position of Prime Minister Paul Martin. Françoise Boivin was also chosen to be the official seconder to the 2004 Speech of the Throne in October of that year. She is also currently working on Bill C-38 about same-sex marriage, an issue that she openly supports.
Françoise Boivin has a degree in civil law from the University of Ottawa. She studied with current Gatineau mayor Yves Ducharme during her time at the University. Federal Transport Minister Jean Lapierre, work colleague of Ms. Boivin, is also a graduate from the same faculty.
Ms. Boivin has been a member of the Quebec Bar since 1984. She began her legal career with Beaudry, Bertrand and subsequently joined the law firm Letellier & Associés. During this time, she also taught, and was in charge of the negotiation sector, at the Quebec Bar training school.
In September 1998, Ms. Boivin accepted a position as host of a public affairs program with CJRC-1150. She was subsequently asked to host a number of other programs and to prepare reports for CJRC-1150 and for Canal Vox. During the times of increasing price of gas, she made a daring move by asking her radio auditory to boycott Petro-Canada to push the country's national fuel company to decrease its prices.
In 2000, she returned to the legal practice and set up her own firm where she works mainly in the area of labour law.
Very involved in her community, Ms. Boivin has participated in many fundraising activities to help agencies such as the Canadian Cancer Society, the Outaouais Alzheimer’s Society, and the Foundation for Heart Disease (Outaouais). She has also worked closely with various support and network agencies helping women.
Ms. Boivin developed a profound interest in politics when she was very young. She has been actively involved in the political life of her region for a long time, through elections, fundraising, and other activities.
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Last updated: 05-07-2005 07:08:10
