Sir Étienne-Paschal Taché

Taché, Sir Étienne-Paschal
Sir Étienne-Paschal Taché, doctor, politician (b at St-Thomas [Montmagny], Qué 5 Sept 1795; d there 30 July 1865). He began studying medicine while serving as an officer in the WAR OF 1812. After completing his studies in Philadelphia, he practised medicine in Montmagny for 22 years, 1819-41. Though he did not participate in the REBELLIONS OF 1837, he was an ardent PATRIOTE. After the union of the Canadas, along with his compatriots A.N. MORIN, L.H. LAFONTAINE, and G.É. CARTIER, Taché became more willing to compromise. He was first elected to the new Assembly in 1841. In 1846 he resigned to become deputy adjutant general of the Canada East militia, and was responsible for its reorganization. In 1848 he became an executive councillor, commissioner of public works and then legislative councillor, and was a member of every government until 1857. He replaced Morin as leader of Canada East and formed a ministry with A.N. MACNAB 27 January 1855. After MacNab resigned in May 1856, Taché joined John A. MACDONALD in a ministry that sealed the alliance of Upper Canadian Conservatives and Canadien Liberals in a unified party. The Taché-Macdonald government manoeuvred well under difficult circumstances, but Taché resigned in 1857, though he remained a legislative councillor. He returned to active politics in 1864 amidst yet another political crisis. At Governor MONCK's request, he formed a coalition government with J.A. Macdonald, an entirely Conservative administration which lasted only one month - the third government to fall in 2 years. On 22 June 1864 Taché subsequently formed the coalition ministry that was to give birth to the CONFEDERATION he so passionately promoted. Before his death, he presided over the QUÉBEC CONFERENCE and defended the 72 Resolutions determining the shape of Confederation.

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Sir Étienne-Paschal Taché
This biography of Sir Étienne-Paschal Taché is part of the “Canadian Confederation” website. Includes photographs and other archival resources. From Library and Archives Canada.

Dictionary of Canadian Biography
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