Duplessis sculpture in front of Parliament Building

Maurice Le Noblet Duplessis (1890–1959) served as the 16th Premier of the Canadian province of Québec from 1936 to 1939 and 1944 to 1959. He rose to power after uniting his Conservative party and the breakaway Action liberale nationale progressive faction of the Liberal party of Premier Louis-Alexandre Taschereau, to form a new conservative party, the Union Nationale.

His era later became known as La Grande Noirceur ("The Great Darkness"). During the time, the Liberal opposition was unsuccessful in challenging Duplessis' power. Duplessis championed rural areas, provincial rights, anti-Communism, and opposed the trade unions.

June 2014 Photo 118

Duplessis sculpture in front of Parliament Building

June 2014 Photo 119