Claude Wagner | The Canadian Encyclopedia

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Claude Wagner

Claude Wagner, lawyer, judge, politician (b at Shawinigan, Qué 4 Apr 1925; d at Montréal 11 July 1979).

Wagner, Claude

Claude Wagner, lawyer, judge, politician (b at Shawinigan, Qué 4 Apr 1925; d at Montréal 11 July 1979). At first active in legal circles as a crown prosecutor, professor of criminal law and judge in the Sessions Court, he confirmed his reputation as a staunch advocate of "law and order" while serving as minister of justice (1964-66) in Jean LESAGE's administration. Elected in a 1964 provincial by-election (Montréal-Verdun), he resigned in 1970 to become again a judge in the Sessions Court. He was elected Progressive Conservative MP for St-Hyacinthe in the federal elections of 1972 and 1974, and ran for the PC leadership in 1976, coming second to Joe CLARK. He resigned his seat in Apr 1978 when named to the Senate.