Jules Léger

Jules Léger began his career as a diplomat in 1940. His distinguished career saw him serve as Canada's Ambassador in Mexico, Rome, Paris, and Brussels followed by a four-year appointment as Canada's Under-secretary of State for External Affairs. In 1974, he was appointed Governor-General of Canada.

Governor-General Six months after the beginning of his term, Jules Léger suffered a stroke. Madame Léger[?] assisted him in his official duties, including reading part of a Speech from the Throne. In December 1974, Léger resumed his duties, presiding over an Order of Canada award ceremony. The Légers established awards for new chamber music and for heritage conservation.

Leger and his wife are credited with greatly modernizing the office of governor general. Among other things, he dispensed with the colonial-era tradition of wearing an elaborate military costume, and instead dressed in a casual suit when performing official state functions.

Early years Born in St-Anicet[?], Quebec, Léger was raised in a devoutly religious family. His older brother, Paul-Émile Léger[?], dedicated his life to the Roman Catholic priesthood, being appointed Archbishop of Montreal in 1950 and three years later made a member of the Sacred College of Cardinals[?].