April 11, 1940 - Joseph Adelard Godbout

Quebec Premier Godbout grants women the vote.The man who granted Quebec women the right to vote was a former agronomist: Joseph Adélard Godbout, born in Saint-Éloi, Quebec in 1892 and elected to the legislative assembly of Quebec in 1929. After various cabinet portfolios, he became leader of the Liberal Party of Quebec and premier in 1936. A progressive leader, he established Hydro Quebec and brought in free, compulsory education for children aged six to 14. Despite clergy opposition, he fought to break through years of failed attempts to give Quebec women the vote – even threatening to resign if the church did not stop its aggressive campaign against universal suffrage. His Bill 18 finally passed on April 11, 1940. A year later, women were given the chance to vote and run for municipal office. 1944 would be the first year women were actually able to cast their vote in a provincial election.

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