Jules Léger

Jules Léger (born April 4, 1913, Saint-Anicet, Quebec, Canada—died November 22, 1980, Ottawa, Ontario) was a Canadian diplomat and statesman who served as governor-general, a largely ceremonial position, from 1974 to 1979.

Léger studied at the University of Montreal and at the Sorbonne and worked for a time as a journalist. Thereafter, he took a position in the Department of External Affairs and became a career diplomat. Léger was ambassador to Mexico (1953–54), Italy (1962–64), France (1964–68), and Belgium and Luxembourg (1973–74) and was a representative at the North Atlantic Council (NATO’s governing body) and the Organization for European Cooperation (1958–62).

In January1974 he became Canada’s 21st governor-general. Léger, who suffered a massive stroke less than six months after taking office, relearned English and French. During the period that he was unable to speak, his wife delivered his speeches for him. Léger introduced a new informality to the office of governor-general by having parties for thousands of children at his home. He also supervised the transfer from Britain of the power to sign treaties and accredit diplomats abroad. Undaunted by his illness, Léger remained in office for his full five-year term.