Prosper-Edmond Lessard

Prosper-Edmond Lessard (February 3, 1873 – April 11, 1931) was a member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta from 1909 to 1921 sitting with the Liberal caucus in government. He also served in the Senate of Canada from 1925 to his death in 1931 sitting with the federal Liberal caucus.

The Honourable

Prosper-Edmond Lessard
Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta
In office
March 22, 1909 – March 25, 1913
Preceded byNew district
Succeeded byDistrict abolished
ConstituencyPakan
In office
March 25, 1913 – July 18, 1921
Preceded byNew District
Succeeded byLaudas Joly
ConstituencySt. Paul
Canadian Senator
In office
1925 – April 11, 1931
ConstituencySt. Paul, Alberta
Personal details
BornFebruary 3, 1873
Cranbourne, Quebec
DiedApril 11, 1931(1931-04-11) (aged 58)
Political partyAlberta Liberal
federal Liberal
Occupationpolitician

Early life

Lessard was born on February 3, 1873 in Cranbourne, Quebec.[1] He left home seeking his fortune in the 1898 Klondike Gold Rush. He stopped in Edmonton on his way there, and became a leading citizen in the Franco-Albertan community.[2]

Political career

Lessard ran for a seat to the Alberta Legislature in the 1909 Alberta general election as a Liberal candidate. He won the new Pakan electoral district by acclamation.[3]

The 1913 boundary redistribution would see Pakan abolished. Lessard ran for re-election in the new St. Paul electoral district in the election held that year. He won a closely contested two-way race over Conservative candidate L. Garneau.[4]

Lessard ran for a third term in the 1917 general election. He doubled his vote from the previous election, rolling up a big majority to keep his seat.[5]

Lessard ran for a fourth term in the 1921 Alberta general election. He was defeated by United Farmers candidate Laudas Joly in a closely contested two-way race.[6]

In 1925 Lessard was appointed to the Senate of Canada on the advice of Prime Minister Mackenzie King. He served until his death on April 11, 1931.[1]

His unique downtown Edmonton area home has been declared a heritage site.

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References
  1. Prosper-Edmond Lessard – Parliament of Canada biography
  2. "Prosper Edmond Lessard". Alberta Heritage Community Foundation. Retrieved May 4, 2010.
  3. "Pakan Official Results 1909 Alberta general election". Alberta Heritage Community Foundation. Retrieved April 29, 2010.
  4. "St. Paul Official Results 1913 Alberta general election". Alberta Heritage Community Foundation. Retrieved April 29, 2010.
  5. "St. Paul Official Results 1917 Alberta general election". Alberta Heritage Community Foundation. Retrieved April 29, 2010.
  6. "St. Paul Official Results 1921 Alberta general election". Alberta Heritage Community Foundation. Retrieved April 29, 2010.
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