François Bourassa (June 5, 1813 – May 13, 1898) was a Quebec farmer and political figure. He represented Saint-Jean in the House of Commons of Canada as a Liberal member from 1867 to 1896.

François Bourassa
Source: Library and Archives Canada

He was born in Sainte-Marguerite-de-Blairfindie, Lower Canada in 1813. His father, also named François, was the first mayor of the town. He took part in the Lower Canada Rebellion, was arrested but later released and later served as captain in the local militia. He settled at Saint-Jean and represented the town on the council for Chambly County. In 1854, he was elected to the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada for Saint-Jean as a member of the parti rouge; he served under the Canadian Confederation, when he was elected to the federal parliament, although he opposed confederation. Bourassa spoke no English. He retired from politics in 1896. He served as mayor of l'Acadie in 1858.

He died in Saint-Valentin in 1898.

His brother Napoléon was a Quebec painter, writer, sculptor and architect and his nephew Henri Bourassa served in the Legislative Assembly of Quebec and the House of Commons.

Electoral record

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1867 Canadian federal election: St. John's
Party Candidate Votes
Liberal François Bourassa 696
Unknown Charles Laberge 600
Source: Canadian Elections Database[1]
1872 Canadian federal election: St. John's
Party Candidate Votes
Liberal François Bourassa acclaimed
Source: Canadian Elections Database[2]
1874 Canadian federal election: St. John's
Party Candidate Votes
Liberal François Bourassa acclaimed
Source: lop.parl.ca
1878 Canadian federal election: St. John's
Party Candidate Votes
Liberal François Bourassa 780
Unknown Chs. Loupret 583
1882 Canadian federal election: St. John's
Party Candidate Votes
Liberal François Bourassa 892
Unknown Chas. Arpin 747
1887 Canadian federal election: St. John's
Party Candidate Votes
Liberal François Bourassa 988
Liberal Elz. Paradis 628
1891 Canadian federal election: St. John's
Party Candidate Votes
Liberal François Bourassa 997
Conservative J. Black 769

References

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  1. ^ Sayers, Anthony M. "1867 Federal Election". Canadian Elections Database. Archived from the original on 22 January 2024.
  2. ^ Sayers, Anthony M. "1872 Federal Election". Canadian Elections Database. Archived from the original on 3 February 2024.
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