Pierre-Marc Johnson, politician, premier of Québec 1985 (b at Montréal 5 July 1946), younger son of Québec Prem Daniel JOHNSON. Very political, even as a youth, Johnson studied at Collège Jean-de-Brébeuf, U de M and U de Sherbrooke. He was admitted to the Québec Bar, and in July 1975 received his diploma from the Faculty of Medicine at U de Sherbrooke. He played an active role in student associations and practised medicine in Montréal before becoming a Parti Québécois candidate in Nov 1976.

During the 2 PQ terms in office, he served in various Cabinet positions, including attorney general (1984-85). He was responsible for Bill 45 (labour relations), better known as the "Anti-Scabs Act." In May 1985, Johnson announced the Québec government's terms for supporting a constitutional agreement (including recognition of the special situation of Québec and the right to a veto, or provisions for opting out with financial compensation, should there be federal-provincial agreements made without Québec). He succeeded René LÉVESQUE as PQ leader in Sept 1985, following a leadership vote open to all party members, the first leadership convention of its kind in Canada.

Although his government was defeated by the Liberals under Robert BOURASSA 2 Dec 1985, he was re-elected in County Anjou for the third time. In June 1987 he consolidated his leadership at a party convention with his plan to defer independence while working for "national affirmation." In Nov 1987, however, a week after the death of Lévesque, Johnson announced his resignation as party leader. He joined the Faculty of Law at McGill in 1988 and became Director of Environment's Program at the McGill Centre for Medicine, Ethics and Law.