Jean-Luc Pepin

Jean-Luc Pepin, academic, politician (b at Drummondville, Qué 1 Nov 1924; d at Ottawa 5 Sept 1995). Educated at the University of Ottawa and the University of Paris, Pepin later taught political science at U of O. Elected as a Liberal to the House of Commons in 1963, he held several Cabinet posts between 1965 and 1972 under Prime Ministers PEARSON and TRUDEAU including Mines and Resources and Industry, Trade and Commerce. Defeated in 1972, Pepin was engaged in business 1973-75, and in 1975 became chairman of the ANTI-INFLATION BOARD. In 1977 Trudeau made him cochairman, with John ROBARTS, of a task force on CANADIAN UNITY. Trudeau was not sympathetic to Pepin's call for a more flexible federalism.

Returning to politics 1979-84, Pepin served as minister of transport 1980-83 and then as minister of state in the Department of External Affairs (now FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE). He later returned to U of O and is fellow in residence for the Institute for Research on Public Policy. An engaging and informal speaker, Pepin was known for his ability to tackle difficult issues, including abolition of the CROW'S NEST PASS AGREEMENT rates, which occupied him as minister of transport, and championing of the metric system. Pepin's service to Canada was honoured with admittance to the Order of Canada in 1977 at the highest rank, Companion.