Omer Veillette

Omer Veillette (1896–1970) was a Canadian businessman in the trucking industry, founding president of Veillette Transport, owner of Autobus Veillette Ltée, mayor of La Tuque and promoter of the development of a road link between La Tuque and lac Saint-Jean. Omer Veillette married in 1920 at Hervey-Jonction to Marie-Louise Hardy.

Veillette Transport Cie Ltée The company Veillette Transport Cie Ltée was incorporated under provincial jurisdiction on December 21, 1950, by Omer Veillette, trucker from La Tuque, Paul Chartrain lawyer from Sillery, as well as MM. Robert, Émile and Jean Létourneau, all three merchants from Quebec. The object of the company was to trade in motor vehicles and in valets, as well as to carry on the business of general contractor. The company's head office is at La Tuque. This company was voluntarily dissolved in 1995. Omer was one of the first members and one of the pioneers of the Truck Association.

In 1964, Omer Veillette announced that his company Autobus Veillette Ltée was planning to launch a bus transportation service between La Tuque and Roberval. After several steps, he had obtained a commitment from the provincial government to take care of the maintenance of the entire Route 19, or 110 miles, between La Tuque and Roberval. Previously, Consolidated Paper had taken on the responsibility of maintaining this route. Omer Veillette then anticipated a ridership of between 600 and 800 trucks per week.

Mayor of La Tuque

Veillette was appointed alderman of district 2 in La Tuque from 1937 to 1941 and again from 1942 to 1944. He served as mayor of La Tuque from October 1944 to July 1947. and on Oct. 31, 1944, when Omer Veillette was acting as new mayor, an advertising page in Le Nouvelliste indicated that the town of La Tuque was the first town in the province of Quebec to achieve its objective of selling Victory Bonds to support Canada's war effort in World War II. On May 4, 1945, when Omer Veillette was mayor, the town of La Tuque reiterated its support for the campaign to sell the Victory Bonds.

Community activism From 1964 to 1968, Omer Veillette was appointed Grand Chevalier of the 1887 Council of the Knights of Columbus in La Tuque. He joined the 4th degree of the 1887 Knights of Columbus Council; he was appointed Deputy Grand Chevalier. He was involved on the Council's executive committee in the purchase of the "Community Club" which was owned by Canadian International Paper. He personally contributed to cover part of the interest on the building.