Canadian Politician. A native of Chicoutimi, Quebec, Pelletier attended Laval University before he was hired as a journalist in 1957 for CFCM-TV in Quebec City and later correspondent for Radio-Canada. In 1959 he was appointed Press Secretary to Quebec Premier Paul Sauvé, serving only until Sauvé's sudden death in January 1960. After several years as a successful businessman, he was elected Mayor of Quebec City, serving from 1977 until 1989. In 1991 he was asked by then Liberal Party leader Jean Chrétien, whom he had first met when he was fifteen while at the Séminaire de Trois-Rivères, to serve as his Chief of Staff. After Chrétien became Prime Minister of Canada in 1993, Pelletier remained on as Chief of Staff serving until retiring from politics in 2001. Following his retirement, he was appointed Chairman of VIA Rail, a post he held until being fired in 2004 by Prime Minister Paul Martin for comments he had made about Olympic gold-medalist Myriam Bédard. Shortly afterwards, he was implicated Canada's sponsorship scandal by Justice John Gomery during his inquiry and accused of corruption, charges that were ultimately dismissed in 2008 by a Federal Court. Commonly known as the "velvet executioner" for his style of leadership, he was appointed a member of the Order of Canada in 1985 and promoted to Officer of the Order of Canada in 2003. He was also appointed an Officer de l'Ordre National du Quebec in 1990.
Canadian Politician. A native of Chicoutimi, Quebec, Pelletier attended Laval University before he was hired as a journalist in 1957 for CFCM-TV in Quebec City and later correspondent for Radio-Canada. In 1959 he was appointed Press Secretary to Quebec Premier Paul Sauvé, serving only until Sauvé's sudden death in January 1960. After several years as a successful businessman, he was elected Mayor of Quebec City, serving from 1977 until 1989. In 1991 he was asked by then Liberal Party leader Jean Chrétien, whom he had first met when he was fifteen while at the Séminaire de Trois-Rivères, to serve as his Chief of Staff. After Chrétien became Prime Minister of Canada in 1993, Pelletier remained on as Chief of Staff serving until retiring from politics in 2001. Following his retirement, he was appointed Chairman of VIA Rail, a post he held until being fired in 2004 by Prime Minister Paul Martin for comments he had made about Olympic gold-medalist Myriam Bédard. Shortly afterwards, he was implicated Canada's sponsorship scandal by Justice John Gomery during his inquiry and accused of corruption, charges that were ultimately dismissed in 2008 by a Federal Court. Commonly known as the "velvet executioner" for his style of leadership, he was appointed a member of the Order of Canada in 1985 and promoted to Officer of the Order of Canada in 2003. He was also appointed an Officer de l'Ordre National du Quebec in 1990.
Bio by: G.Photographer
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