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Politician (born on August 9, 1930, at Montreal, Que.). Jacques Parizeau became leader of the PARTI QUÉBÉCOIS in the spring of 1988. He succeeded Pierre-Marc JOHNSON, who resigned the previous November. Parizeau had been involved in Quebec politics for more than 25 years. In the early 1960s, as one of the province's most talented economists, he served as consultant to the Liberal government of Jean LESAGE and helped shape the reforms of the QUIET REVOLUTION. In 1968 Parizeau joined the newly formed Parti Québécois, which was dedicated to making Quebec independent of Canada. Appointed finance minister when the PQ came to power in 1976, Parizeau served in the CABINET for eight years. He resigned in 1984 because he was not prepared to compromise on seeking independence for Quebec, and Premier René LÉVESQUE was no longer so committed to that goal. By 1988, when Parizeau was chosen leader, the PQ had lost much of its support in Quebec and no longer formed the government. Parizeau spent much of his first year as leader rebuilding the party's organization. In the 1989 provincial election, he recovered some of the PQ's lost support, winning 29 seats (an increase of six seats over 1985). He continued to build support for the PQ and won 77 of the 125 seats in the 1994 election. Parizeau lost the referendum of 1995, and resigned as leader of the PQ and Premier of Quebec the day after the referendum. Related Articles: PARTI QUÉBÉCOIS; QUEBEC.
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