Gauthier was born in Quebec City on February 18, 1950, and was raised in Chambord. His father, Joseph-Georges Tremblay, worked as a motor engine technician; his mother, Cécile (Archambault), was a housewife.[2][3][4] Gauthier was a school teacher from 1970 to 1975, educational advisor from 1976 to 1979, then director of education services from 1979 to 1981 at the Roberval school board.[5]
He then served as president of the Tourism Corporation of Chambord in 1975 and in 1976 as president of Chambord Chamber of Commerce in 1977 and 1978.[5]
Political career
Gauthier was first elected as a Member of the National Assembly of Quebec for the Parti Québécois in 1981 for Roberval and was parliamentary secretary to the finance minister from 1983 to 1985. He was re-elected to the legislature in 1985 and served until 1988 when he resigned his seat to become director-general of the Roberval school board.[5]
Gauthier's lack of profile resulted in some opposition parties mocking him as being the "faceless leader" of the opposition, as he was largely a political unknown in most of Canada and even in Quebec.[7] His leadership was unpopular with the caucus due to alleged conservative views and his lack of "charisma or authority" when compared to Bouchard.[2] Facing a revolt by his MPs, which culminated in the leaking of confidential caucus discussions, Gauthier resigned in March 1997.[2] He was succeeded by Gilles Duceppe.[6]
As a result of health issues after surgery, he announced in March 2007 that he would not run in the next federal election.[9] He served as BQ House Leader from 1997 until 2007.[2] Gauthier also served as the chief campaign organizer.[10] He formally resigned on July 29, 2007, and became the host of Gauthier, a television news show, which began airing on TQS in September 2007.[2]
On May 12, 2018, Gauthier joined the Conservative Party of Canada after not having been a member of any political party for eleven years.[1][11] He has also said he was no longer a sovereigntist, though he remained a Quebec nationalist.[11]
Personal life and death
Gauthier was married to Anne Allard until his death. He had two children from a previous marriage (Alexandre and Isabelle).[2][6]
Gauthier died on May 30, 2020, at the age of 70. He had been suffering from lung cancer in the years leading up to his death.[6][12]