Profile Text
Place of Birth: Saint-Georges, Québec, Canada
Date of Birth: January 18, 1963
Ethnicity: French-Canadian
Maxime Bernier is a Canadian businessperson, lawyer, and politician. He has been Leader of the People’s Party, which he founded, since September 14, 2018. He has also been Minister of Industry/Registrar General of Canada, from February 6, 2006 to August 13, 2007, Minister of Foreign Affairs, from August 13, 2007 to May 26, 2008, Chair of the National Defence Select Committee, from March 9, 2009 to June 20, 2011, and Minister of State (Small Business and Tourism, and Agriculture), from May 18, 2011 to November 4, 2015; as well as, a Member of Parliament for Beauce (QC), from January 23, 2006 to October 21, 2019. He was a member of the Conservative Party, until 2018.
He is the son of Doris (Rodrigue) and Gilles Bernier. His father is a radio host and politician, who was a Member of Parliament for Beauce (QC), from November 5, 1984 to June 2, 1997, and was Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Haiti, from 1997 to 2001.
Maxime is married to ballerina Catherine Letarte. He has two children.
Maxime’s paternal grandfather was Amedee Bernier (the son of Amedee Bernier and Emma Nicolas). Maxime’s great-grandfather Amedee was the son of Frederic Bernier and Helene Normand. Emma was the daughter of Joseph Nicolas and Philomene Stibre.
Maxime’s paternal grandmother was Annette Letourneau (the daughter of Joseph Letourneau and Virginie Turcotte). Joseph was the son of Ignace Letourneau and Marie-Philomene Poulin. Virginie was the daughter of Francois-Xavier Turcotte and Philomene Denis.
Maxime’s maternal grandfather was Gerard Rodrigue (the son of Joseph Rodrigue and Josephine Grenier). Gerard was born in Saint-Georges, Beauce, Québec. Joseph was the son of Charles Rodrigue and Apolline Bolduc. Josephine was the daughter of Bernard Grenier and Vitaline Roy.
Maxime’s maternal grandmother was Blanche-Irene Thibodeau (the daughter of Joseph Thibodeau and Leontine Giguere). Blanche-Irene was born in Saint-Georges, Beauce, Québec. Joseph was the son of Ludger Thibodeau and Lucie Giguere. Leontine was the daughter of Vital Giguere and Caroline Gagne.
Source: Genealogy of Maxime Bernier – https://www.nosorigines.qc.ca