Gustave Francq
Gustave Francq (March 1871 in Brussels - January 2, 1952 in Montréal) was a typographer and a trade unionist in Quebec, Canada.
Biography
Gustave Francq is the son of Benoît Francq and Henriette-Julie-Marie-Anne Cruks and was born in Belgium in March 1871.[1] He arrives in Québec in 1886 and he becomes an apprentice typographer. He marries Léda Fournier in 1891 in Québec.[1] He lives for a time in Lowell, Massachusetts, and in Brussels and settles in Montréal in 1900.[1]
En 1902, Francq founds the Imprimerie Mercantile and is its director until 1949. In 1902, he becomes a l'Union typographique Jacques-Cartier. In 1909, he becomes president of the Conseil des métiers et du travail de Montréal. From 1909 until 1911, he is vice-president of the Trades and Labour Congress of Canada.[1]
In 1916, he founds the publication Le Monde ouvrier, which publishes articles about trade unionism and social issues and promotes reforms of the electoral system and the creation of programs of unemployment insurance, old age pensions and health insurance.[1]
He is close to the progressive wing of the Liberal Party.[1]
From 1925 until 1937, he is president of the Quebec Commission of minimum wage of women (Commission du salaire minimum des femmes du Québec).[1] From 1939 until 1944, he is vice-president of the Commision of minimum wage (Commission du salaire minimum).[1]
In 1937, he participates in the creation of the Fédération provinciale du travail du Québec.[1]
He is a member of the masonic Lodge l'Émancipation from 1908 until 1910 and he founds the Lodge Force et courage.[1]
He was designated a Person of National Historic Significance by the government of Canada.