Maurice Duplessis first took office in 1936 but was defeated in 1939, after he himself called the election. He was elected again in 1944 and remained in office until his death in 1959. His political party was the Union nationale.
Once in office, Duplessis promised to carry out several projects, such as building a school and a hospital, if the constituency voted for his party in the elections. He kept tight control over his ministers.
Source: Hon. Maurice Duplessis speaking during the Quebec Legislative Assembly Election campaign [Photograph], MONTREAL STAR, July 1952, Library and Archives Canada. (URL).[1]
During his terms in office, Maurice Duplessis worked closely with the Catholic Church. The state left the Church responsible for health and education, as it valued a traditional societal model where the Church played a central role. He also emphasized French-Canadian nationalist sentiment by defending provincial autonomy and affirming the cultural differences between Quebec and the rest of Canada.
Duplessis benefited from a favourable economic period to implement a policy of economic liberalism. He attracted foreign companies, especially from the United States, by offering them very advantageous conditions (such as low royalties and minimal regulation) for them to exploit Quebec's natural resources. This helped create jobs and stimulate the economy.
Economic liberalism is an ideology in which government interventions should be limited. Those who adhere to it consider that the companies must have a lot of flexibility. To do this, the government must adopt as few rules and laws as possible in order to give companies more freedom.
The Duplessis government played a key role in modernizing Quebec's infrastructure. For example, it initiated the rural electrification program that brought electricity to most rural areas. It also worked to expand the electricity distribution network and develop an extensive transportation network, which made life and trade easier in the province.
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MONTREAL STAR. (July 1952). Hon. Maurice Duplessis speaking during the Quebec Legislative Assembly Election campaign [Photograph]. Bibliothèque et Archives Canada. (URL).