Claire Kirkland-Casgrain, a trailblazer in Quebec society, has died. She was 91.
She was the first woman elected to the Quebec legislature and later Quebec’s first female cabinet member.
A lawyer by trade, she was first elected in 1961 in a byelection in the West Island Jacques-Cartier riding. It was the seat her father, Charles-Aimé Kirkland, had held from 1939 until his death. She went on to become minister of transport, tourism, hunting and fisheries, and culture in Robert Bourassa’s government. She also created the Quebec Council on the Status of Women.
After her political career was over, she became Quebec’s first female judge in 1973. She retired in 1991.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted a statement that he was saddened by the news.
Premier Philippe Couillard announced Thursday afternoon that Kirkland-Casgrain will get a national funeral.
Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre commended her for taking on roles in male-dominated arenas and called her personal journey “admirable.”
