André-Gilles Fortin
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André-Gilles Fortin (November 13, 1943 - June 24, 1977) was a Canadian politician in the 1970s. Fortin was a member of the Canadian House of Commons for the Social Credit Party of Canada.
Following the death of that party's popular leader, Réal Caouette, Fortin was elected leader of the party on November 7, 1976. The party was then struggling, having lost almost all its support in the west and fading in Quebec. Fortin's efforts to rebuild the party were cut short when he was killed after only eight months as leader.
Fortin died in a car crash at about three in the morning on June 24, 1977 at the age of 33. It is believed that he fell asleep while driving, and his car went off the highway. where it missed a bridge and jumped over a river, slamming into the embankment on the other side. The accident took place on the Trans-Canada Highway between Montreal and Quebec City. At the time of his death, he had two young children.
Réal Caouette's son, Gilles Caouette, became acting leader of the party five days later.
Preceded by Réal Caouette |
National Leaders of Social Credit 1976-1977 |
Succeeded by Gilles Caouette |