Nicole LÉGER

Member for Pointe-aux-Trembles

Parti québécois

Chief Official Opposition Whip

Official Opposition critic for Greater Montréal

Born in Montréal on March 12, 1955
Married to Jean-Paul Dahm, with two children, Audrey and Gabriel (blended family)

Education

Bachelor's degree in education, Université du Québec à Montréal (1977)
Studies in Québec history, architecture and economics, Université de Montréal (1979-1981)
Studies towards a bachelor's degree in law, Université de Montréal (1981-1982)
Studies towards a bachelor's degree in arts (dance), Université du Québec à Montréal (1982-1986)
Certificate in journalism, École de radio et de télévision Promédia (1990-1991)

Professional experience

• Homeroom elementary school teacher (1978-1982) and physical education teacher (from kindergarten to sixth grade) (1985-1988)
• Professional model (1984-1986)
• Secondary school art teacher (from secondary I to secondary IV) and physical education teacher (remedial course) (1988-1996)
• Head of the art and physical education departments (1988-1996)
• Person responsible for implementing Ministère de l'Éducation curriculum programs as part of pilot projects (French, social studies and arts education)
• Assistant to the President, Léger Marketing (1993-1996)
• Discussion group facilitator and consultant in media relations, public relations and event organization (1994-1996)
• Vice-president of human resources, Léger Marketing (2006-2007)
• Political analyst on CKAC's daily morning radio show (2006)
• Co-host on the TQS television network's L'Avocat du diable and guest on other shows, such as Caféine and Dutrizac (2007)
• Political analyst on the election campaign, on 98.5 FM Montréal's Puisqu'il faut se lever (March 2007)

Community and political activities

• Member of the PQ and Bloc québécois electoral committees (1970-1996)
• Founder of the first PQ national youth committee (1973)
• Various contributions to the promotion of dance in Quebec's cultural community (1976-1996)
• Black belt first dan in Kyokushin karate
• Professional contemporary dance performer and choreographer (1986-1996)
• Honorary member of the Fédération des Acadiens du Québec (1993)
• Member, Red-Cross Fundraising Committee (1996)
• Member of the board of directors, Fondation du cégep du Vieux-Montréal (1996)
• Member of the board of directors, Fondation Lucille-Teasdale (1996)
• Member of the board of directors, Fondation de l'Hôpital Louis-Hippolyte-LaFontaine (1996)
• Chair of the PQ national fundraising campaign (2000)
• Honorary president for the Red-Cross, Québec zone, East Island of Montreal section (2000-2005)
• Recipient, Reconnaissance en éducation award of the Fondation de l'Université du Québec à Montréal (2001)
• Vice-president, Ballets Jazz de Montréal (BJM Danse) (2006-2008)

Political, parliamentary and ministerial functions

Elected as Member for Pointe-aux-Trembles in the by-election held on December 9, 1996

• Member, Committee on Institutions, January to April 10, 1997
• Mediator for the merger of the municipalities of Saint-Viateur, Saint-Barthélemy and Saint-Cuthbert, spring 1997
• Member, Committee on Culture, April 10, 1997 to October 28, 1998
• Member, Committee on Public Finance, April 10, 1997 to October 28, 1998
• Substitute member, Office of the National Assembly, April 15, 1997 to September 23, 1998
• Member, Committee on Public Administration, May 14 to October 28, 1998
• Minister for Child and Family Welfare, September 23 to December 15, 1998
• Member, Comité ministériel de l'éducation et de la culture, September 23 to December 15, 1998
• Member, Comité ministériel du développement social, September 23 to December 15, 1998

Reelected as Member for Pointe-aux-Trembles in the general election held on November 30, 1998

• Minister for Child and Family Welfare, December 15, 1998 to March 8, 2001
• Member, Comité ministériel de l'éducation et de la culture, December 15, 1998 to March 8, 2001
• Member, Comité ministériel du développement social, December 15, 1998 to April 29, 2003
• Minister for the Elimination of Poverty and Exclusion, March 8, 2001 to April 29, 2003
• Member, Comité ministériel de la région de Montréal, April 4, 2001 to April 29, 2003
• Member, Comité ministériel à la jeunesse, May 30, 2001 to April 29, 2003

Reelected as Member for Pointe-aux-Trembles in the general election held on April 14, 2003

• Deputy Opposition Whip , April 29, 2003 to September 9, 2004
• Official Opposition critic for social services, May 1, 2003 to February 18, 2004
• Member, Committee on Social Affairs, June 5, 2003 to March 25, 2004
• Official Opposition critic for citizen relations, February 18, 2004 to January 30, 2006
• Member, Committee on Culture, March 25, 2004 to June 1^st, 2006
• Official Opposition critic for housing, January 30, 2006 to June 1^st, 2006

Elected as Member for Pointe-aux-Trembles in the by-election held on May 12, 2008

• Second Opposition Group critic for Greater Montréal, August 7, 2008 to November 5, 2008
• Chair, Second Opposition Group caucus, August 7, 2008 to October 22, 2008
• Whip of the Second Opposition Group, October 22, 2008 to November 5, 2008

Reelected as Member for Pointe-aux-Trembles in the general election held on December 8, 2008

• Chief Official Opposition Whip since December 16, 2008
• Member, Committee on the National Assembly since January 13, 2009
• Substitute member, Office of the National Assembly since January 14, 2009
• Member, Québec Section, Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) since May 27, 2009
• Member, Delegation of the National Assembly for Relations with the United States (DANREU) since May 27, 2009
• Member, Delegation of the National Assembly for Relations with the French-speaking community of Belgium/Wallonia/Belgium (DANRB) since May 27, 2009
• Official Opposition critic for Greater Montréal since January 27, 2010

Statements and questions in the House and in committee

• Du 9 décembre 1996 au 21 octobre 1998
• Du 2 mars 1999 au 9 mars 2001
• Du 22 mars 2001 au 12 mars 2003
• Du 4 juin 2003 au 10 mars 2006
• Du 12 mai 2008 au 5 novembre 2008
• Depuis le 13 janvier 2009

Office addresses

Personal Home Page: www.nicoleleger.org