Births on February 7

Jacques Duchesneau, Canadian police officer and politician

Jacques Duchesneau, born on February 7, 1949, is a prominent Canadian public figure renowned for his multifaceted career spanning law enforcement, civil service, and provincial politics. His extensive professional journey has seen him serve in critical leadership positions, contributing significantly to public safety and governance in Canada.

A Distinguished Law Enforcement Career

Duchesneau's early career established him as a respected figure in Canadian law enforcement. He rose through the ranks to become the Chief of Police for the Montreal Urban Community Police Department (Service de police de la Communauté urbaine de Montréal, SPCUM), a role he held from 1998 to 2005. During his tenure, Duchesneau was instrumental in implementing various reforms and initiatives aimed at modernizing policing strategies and enhancing community relations within Canada's second-largest city. His leadership during this period was marked by a commitment to public accountability and operational efficiency.

Leadership at CATSA: Ensuring Air Transport Security

Following his distinguished career in municipal policing, Jacques Duchesneau transitioned to a pivotal role in national security. From 2002 to 2008, he served as the founding President and Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA). Established in April 2002 in response to the security challenges highlighted by the September 11th attacks, CATSA is a Crown corporation responsible for securing specific elements of the air transportation system, including passenger and baggage screening at designated airports across Canada. Under Duchesneau's leadership, CATSA developed and implemented a comprehensive national framework for aviation security, crucial for safeguarding millions of air travelers annually and ensuring the integrity of Canadian airspace.

A Shift to Public Service Advocacy and Politics

Duchesneau's commitment to public service extended beyond operational roles. In 2011, he gained significant national recognition for authoring a highly influential report on collusion and corruption within Quebec's construction industry. This seminal report, submitted to the Quebec government, meticulously detailed widespread irregularities and systemic issues, laying crucial groundwork for the subsequent Charbonneau Commission (formally known as the Commission of Inquiry on the Awarding and Management of Public Contracts in the Construction Industry). His outspoken stance and dedication to uncovering malfeasance brought him into the political arena. In 2012, Jacques Duchesneau successfully entered provincial politics, being elected as the Member of the Quebec National Assembly for the riding of Saint-Jérôme. He represented the constituency under the banner of the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ), a center-right political party, serving a two-year term until 2014. His political career leveraged his vast experience in public administration and his reputation as a champion for integrity and transparency.

What is Jacques Duchesneau known for?

Jacques Duchesneau is widely recognized for his diverse career as a former Chief of Police in Montreal, the inaugural President and CEO of the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA), and a former Member of the Quebec National Assembly. He is also notably known for authoring a significant report on corruption in Quebec's construction industry, which paved the way for the Charbonneau Commission.

What roles did Jacques Duchesneau hold before entering politics?

Prior to his political career, Jacques Duchesneau served as the Chief of Police for the Montreal Urban Community Police Department from 1998 to 2005. Concurrently, he was the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) from 2002 to 2008. He also produced an impactful report on construction industry collusion in Quebec in 2011.

Which political party was Jacques Duchesneau affiliated with?

Jacques Duchesneau was elected as a Member of the Quebec National Assembly under the banner of the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ).

When was Jacques Duchesneau a Member of the Quebec National Assembly?

Jacques Duchesneau served as the Member of the Quebec National Assembly for the riding of Saint-Jérôme from 2012 to 2014.