Montréal, June 20, 2008 – In a ceremony held yesterday at the National Assembly, Lucien Bouchard was awarded the title of Grand Officer of the Ordre national du Québec. It is the highest honour bestowed by the government of Quebec to a citizen for meritorious accomplishments.

Mr. Bouchard, a partner of the law firm of Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg since his retirement from political and diplomatic life, was honoured on the occasion of the 400th anniversary of Québec City and was cited as an example of leadership and devotion to Quebec.

“I am deeply touched by this honour,” declared Mr. Bouchard. “My attachment to Quebec and to my fellow citizens has always inspired me to work for their well-being. I am  proud to wear this insignia, a mark of their gratitude. ”

“We are proud to count Mr. Bouchard as a member of our firm. In addition to his great talents as a lawyer, Mr. Bouchard brings to our practice his vision as a statesman, strategist and expert negotiator,” said Pierre-André Themens, Co-Managing Partner of Davies. “The broad range of his experience makes him a much appreciated counsellor in matters of commercial law as well as commercial conflict resolution.”

Prior to his political career, Lucien Bouchard practised with a private law firm in Chicoutimi, pleading, among others, corporate and commercial cases before the courts at all levels. From 1970 to 1985, he was a member or leader of various committees for the Saguenay and Quebec Bars. During this time, he also served on commissions and agencies focused on labour relations. He was the Senior Chairperson of the arbitration tribunals in the education sector, Chief Prosecutor for the Cliche Commission on Quebec's construction industry, and a member of the Martin-Bouchard Commission on the public and parapublic sectors.

In addition to several articles published in law journals, Mr. Bouchard is co-author of the Martin-Bouchard Report (1977-1978). He has also published an autobiographical essay on the political evolution of Quebec, À visage découvert, in which he also recounts his career. More recently, Mr. Bouchard presented the paper Résister à la tentation de la prolifération réglementaire at the Conférence économique in Paris and published, as co-author, the manifesto Pour un Québec lucide.

Lucien Bouchard is a member of the Boards of Directors of Transcontinental Inc., Groupe Saputo Inc., Brault & Martineau Inc. and TransForce Income Fund. He is also a member of the Advisory Committee to the Board of Dessau Inc. and Chairman of the Board of the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal (OSM).

Lucien Bouchard did his undergraduate studies at the Collège de Jonquière, completing his B.A. in 1959 and his Bachelor’s degree in Social Science in 1960 at Université Laval. In 2002, he received the decoration of “Commandeur de l’Ordre national de la Légion d’honneur” from the French Government.

-30-

Source:
Caroline Martel
Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg
514-841-6524
cmartel@dwpv.com