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Lise ThibaultCanadian politician and journalist
Date of Birth: 02.04.1939
Country:  Canada |
Content:
- Early Life and Education
- Career in Journalism and Advocacy
- Lieutenant-Governor of Quebec
- Financial Scandal and Resignation
- Criminal Conviction and Imprisonment
- Honors and Recognition
Early Life and Education
Lise Thibault was born on April 2, 1939, in Saint-Roch-de-l'Achigan, as the eldest daughter of Paul Trudel and Laurence Wolf. She attended Marie-Anne Academy in Montreal and later the Collège Saint-Jérôme for teacher training. Following an accident during her teenage years, Thibault became disabled and lost the ability to walk.
Career in Journalism and Advocacy
In 1959, Thibault married René Thibault. After graduating from college, she worked as a teacher and then as a journalist. She hosted a program on family and societal issues on Quebec television from 1982 to 1984. From 1987 to 1993, she served as Vice-President of the Quebec Commission on Health and Social Welfare, and from 1993 to 1995, as President and CEO of the Quebec Office for People with Disabilities.
Lieutenant-Governor of Quebec
Thibault was a longtime supporter of the Liberal Party of Canada. In 1997, Liberal Prime Minister Jean Chrétien recommended her appointment as Lieutenant-Governor of Quebec, succeeding Jean-Louis Roux. In this role, Thibault became the first woman and the first person with a disability to hold the position in Quebec. Her 10-year tenure was the second-longest in the province's history, after Hugues Lapointe's 14-year governorship. Thibault suffered a stroke in 2005.
Financial Scandal and Resignation
In 2007, Thibault was dismissed from office over a financial scandal involving the misuse of government funds. She was accused of using state funds for a private Christmas party (CAN$30,000), expensive gifts for friends, and restaurant meals that took place in multiple cities at the same time. Her expenses from 2002 to 2003 totaled CAN$223,000. In the spring of 2007, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper advised the Governor General to dismiss Thibault.
Criminal Conviction and Imprisonment
In September 2015, Thibault was sentenced to 18 months in prison and fined CAN$300,000. On February 24, 2016, the Quebec Court of Appeal dismissed Thibault's appeal, and the sentence was upheld. Thibault was granted parole on June 2, 2016, and her conviction was expunged on August 17, 2017. Upon her release, she declared bankruptcy.
Honors and Recognition
Dame Grand Cross of the Order of St. FrancisDame of Justice of the Order of St. John
Honorary Doctor of Laws from Anna Maria College in Paxton
Honorary Doctor of Laws from Concordia University
Honorary Doctor of Civil Law from Bishop's University
Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal (2002)
