Hon. Honore Mercier

Hon. Honore Mercier, minister of colonization, mines and fisheries, lawyer and legislator, recognized as one of the liberal leaders of Montreal and also acknowledged one of the capable representatives of the bar, was born at St. Hyacinthe, P. Q., in 1875, his parents being the late Hon. H. M. (Count) Mercier and Virginie (St. Denis) Mercier, the former prime minister of Quebec and one of the eminent lawyers of the province, of whom mention will be found elsewhere in this work.

The preparatory education of Honore Mercier was received at St. Mary’s (Jesuit) College, following which he was privately tutored in preparation for his work at Laval University, that institution conferring upon him the LL. B. degree in 1899. He was made an advocate in 1900, since which time he has successfully practiced his profession, being now senior member of the law firm of Mercier & Beique, with offices in the Quebec Bank building. Mr. Mercier’s knowledge of the principles of jurisprudence is comprehensive and exact, and his ability, devotion to his clients’ interests and the thoroughness with which he prepares his cases have given him high standing as a representative of the legal profession in the province.

Mr. Mercier has been a prominent figure in municipal and provincial affairs, standing firmly in support of the principles and measures which he deems of vital worth. He was elected to the city council of Montreal in February, 1906, and in 1907, was appointed a member of L’Ecole des Hautes Etudes Commerciales, of which he is secretary and treasurer, and in the work of which institution, Mr. Mercier has proven a most capable official.

He was chosen in the liberal interest to represent Chateauguay in the provincial parliament, where he has sat almost uninterruptedly since 1907. On April 29, 1914, he was appointed minister of colonization, mines and fisheries in the Gouin cabinet. He gives earnest and thoughtful consideration to the questions of the day and is farsighted in his outlook over the political field with all that it implies in its relation to the welfare, progress and prosperity of the province and dominion.

Mr. Mercier was married, in April, 1903, to Miss Jeanne Frechette, a daughter of the late Dr. L. H. Frechette, C. M. G. Their religious faith is that of the Roman Catholic church. They occupy an attractive home at No. 408 St. Denis Street, and its hospitality is greatly enjoyed by their many friends. They also have a summer residence at Bellevue. Mr. Mercier is not a club man in the usually accepted sense of the term, yet he belongs to the Club Canadien and has social qualities that make and retain friends.