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André-Gilles Fortin

1943 – 1977

Canadian politician

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About André-Gilles Fortin

Lived 1943 – 1977 (aged 33). André-Gilles Fortin was a Canadian politician, teacher and university teacher.

André-Gilles Fortin (; November 13, 1943 – June 24, 1977) was a Canadian politician. Fortin was a member of the House of Commons of Canada for Lotbinière. He was first elected in the 1968 federal election for the Ralliement Créditiste, which in 1971 merged with the Social Credit Party of Canada.

Fortin was elected leader of the party on November 7, 1976, after his popular predecessor, Réal Caouette, was forced to resign due to illness. The party was then struggling, having lost almost all its support in the west and in decline in Quebec where its members were divided between support for Canadian federalism and for sovereignty association for Quebec, a position supported by René Matte whom Fortin defeated for the leadership. Fortin's efforts to rebuild the party were cut short when he was killed after only eight months as leader.

Fortin died in a car crash at about three in the morning on June 24, 1977, at the age of 33. It is believed that he fell asleep while driving and his car went off the highway, where it missed a bridge and jumped over a river, slamming into the embankment on the other side. The accident took place on the Trans-Canada Highway between Montreal and Quebec City. At the time of his death, he had two young children.

Réal Caouette's son, Gilles Caouette, became acting leader of the party five days later.

Archives There is a André-Gilles Fortin fonds at Library and Archives Canada. Archival reference number is R7123.

Electoral record

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Important facts

Birth century
Nationality
Positions held
Member of the House of Commons of Canada
Also known as
Andre-Gilles Fortin

People in André-Gilles Fortin's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped André-Gilles Fortin's

Frequently asked questions

Who was André-Gilles Fortin?

Canadian politician (1943-1977)

When was André-Gilles Fortin born?

André-Gilles Fortin was born on 13 November 1943 in Granby.

When did André-Gilles Fortin die?

André-Gilles Fortin died on 24 June 1977 in Quebec, Trans-Canada Highway.

What was André-Gilles Fortin's occupation?

André-Gilles Fortin was a politician, teacher and university teacher.

What nationality was André-Gilles Fortin?

André-Gilles Fortin was Canadian.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: André-Gilles Fortin

· Wikidata: Q2847053

· DBpedia: André-Gilles Fortin

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). André-Gilles Fortin. https://biography.guide/andre-gilles-fortin/

MLA: "André-Gilles Fortin." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/andre-gilles-fortin/.

Chicago: "André-Gilles Fortin." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/andre-gilles-fortin/.

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