Hon. Sir Lomer Gouin

Hon. Sir Lomer Gouin, a distinguished representative of the Montreal bar and a statesman whose grasp of affairs has made him largely master of situations affecting government interests, was born at Grondines, P. Q., March 19, 1861, a son of Dr. J. N. and Victorie Seraphine (Fugere) Gouin. The family has long been established in this province. Sir Lomer Gouin in the attainment of his education attended successfully Sorel College, Levis College and the Laval University. He won his LL. B. degree in 1884 and in 1902 the honorary degree of LL. D. was conferred upon him while McGill also created him an LL. D. in 1911. He pursued his law studies under the direction of the late Sir John Abbot and the late Hon. R. Laflamme, two of the most eminent members of the bar of Montreal. Passing the required examinations, Sir Lomer Gouin was admitted to practice as an advocate in 1884, and his advancement in his profession has brought him to a position of leadership at the provincial bar. He was at one time a law partner of Judge Pagnuelo and afterward of the late Hon. H. Mercier. His knowledge of the law is comprehensive and exact and in the application of its principles he has proven himself one of the ablest representatives of the bar in Montreal. He was elected batonnier-general of the provincial bar in 1910, was appointed an officer of de l’Institut Public of France in 1902 and also of the Legion of Honor in 1907. Aside from his profession, he is known in financial circles as a director of the Royal Trust Company, of the Montreal City and District Savings Bank and of the Mount Royal Assurance Company. The Venerable Archdeacon Kerr characterized him as “a straightforward business man,” and in all his career he has never deviated from high standards of manhood and citizenship.

In 1908 he was knighted by King George at the Quebec Tercentenary celebration. His public service has been of an important character and is of wide scope, and in 1898 he was appointed a member of the council of public instruction, P. Q., and in 1910 was elected president of the North American Fish and Game Protective Association. He has likewise been president of the Canadian Camp. In 1900 he was chosen an alderman of Montreal and exercises his official prerogatives in support of various measures for the general good. Mr. Gouin is a liberal in politics and for some years has been active in the party. He unsuccessfully contested Richelieu for the House of Commons at the general election in 1891, and he sat for Montreal, St. James division, in the local house in 1897-1908. Since then he has sat for Port Neuf. He is regarded as an administrator of breadth of view, great knowledge and ability and unimpeachable probity. From 1900 until 1904 Sir Lomer Gouin was commissioner of public works under the Parent administration, and since March 23, 1905, has been premier and attorney-general for the province of Quebec. An eminent statesmen has characterized him as “the greatest prime minister the province has ever known.” His comprehensive knowledge of the law and his ready grasp of affairs, combined with his unfaltering loyalty to the best interests of government, classes him with the most prominent Canadian statesmen. In 1906 he was chairman of the Ottawa Inter-Provincial Conference and was a delegate thereto in 1910. He has edited a special edition of the Quebec Municipal Code, and he seems familiar with all the various phases of the important municipal, provincial and national problems which are now engaging public attention.

Sir Lomer Gouin was married in May, 1888, to Miss Eliza Mercier, a daughter of the late Hon. Honore Mercier, prime minister of Quebec. Lady Gouin passed away in September, 1904, and in September, 1911, he wedded Alice, daughter of the late Auguste Amos of Montreal. Sir Lomer Gouin was present by invitation at the coronation of King George and Queen Mary in Westminster Abbey in June, 1911. He is well known in club circles as a member of the Garrison Club of Quebec; the Club St. Denis, the Montreal Reform Club, and the Mount Royal Club of Montreal. His religious affiliation is with the Roman Catholic church.