Jean-Pierre Belisle

A native of Montreal, Jean-Pierre Belisle earned a civil law degree at McGill University in 1971, also completing a Masters Degree in Political Science and Economic Development at the same institution. Admitted to the Bar in 1973, he practiced law in the construction industry and in the real estate sector before making the leap into provincial politics under the Liberal banner. First elected in 1985 in Mille-Îles riding and reelected in 1989, Mr. Belisle held the National Assembly posts of Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Finance and Assistant Parliamentary Leader. in the Bourassa government. In the 1990s he specialized in environmental law while putting dipping into business by buying a St-Hubert BBQ franchise in Fabreville and investing in a vineyard. He has been president of the Quebec Wine Growers Association for the past four years. Jean-Pierre Belisle and his wife, Gina Pratt, have six children and 5 grandchildren.

The constituency is facing social issues characteristic of large urban centres, he says, citing in particular poverty and the growing needs of the elderly. For Laval region, he would like to see the creation of an industrial park dedicated exclusively to the development of environmental technology; an industrial cluster which in the same vein as the City of Biotechnology and Human Health would give Laval an international hub of excellence fully in tune with the new economic order, with the potential for wealth and quality jobs.



(Photo: Martin Alarie)