Lise Bacon, former Quebec cabinet minister, senator, dead at 91

MONTREAL — Lise Bacon, a former senator and Quebec cabinet minister who was the first woman to hold the post of deputy premier, has died at the age of 91.

Her death on Wednesday was confirmed by national assembly.

Bacon was born in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield in 1934 and became the second woman elected to the Quebec legislature in 1973, after Claire Kirkland-Casgrain.

Bacon had previously been the first woman president of a political party in Canada, the Quebec Liberal Party, from 1970 to 1973.

Once elected, Bacon, took on ministerial roles in then-premier Robert Bourassa’s cabinet, minister of state for social affairs and other positions until his government was defeated in the 1976 election.

Bacon was re-elected in 1981, 1985 and 1989, becoming the province’s first female deputy premier in 1985, a position she held until 1994.

Between 1985 and 1994, Bacon held several high-profile portfolios in the Liberal government, including cultural affairs, minister responsible for the Charter of the French Language, environment as well as energy and resources.

Bacon resigned in January 1994 and was appointed senator by Jean Chrétien, a position she held until her mandatory retirement in 2009.

Bacon was awarded a number of honours including the National Order of the Legion of Honour of France in 2023, a grand officer of the National Order of Quebec in 2004 and the Order of Canada in 2010.

Her death Wednesday was marked by several political leaders, with Premier François Legault describing her as a having paved the way for many women and leaving her mark on history through her commitment.

Quebec Liberal Party Leader Pablo Rodriguez said Bacon opened doors for so many with “courage, dignity, and a profound sense of public service.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 30, 2025.

Pierre Saint-Arnaud, The Canadian Press