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Biography & Autobiography Lawyers & Judges

What I Wish I Had Told My Children

by (author) Michel Bastarache & Antoine Trépanier

translated by Julie da Silva

contributions by Antonine Maillet

Publisher
Les Presses de l'Université d'Ottawa/University of Ottawa Press
Initial publish date
May 2023
Category
Lawyers & Judges, Personal Memoirs, Business
  • Paperback / softback

    ISBN
    9780776639598
    Publish Date
    May 2023
    List Price
    $41.95
  • Hardback

    ISBN
    9780776640143
    Publish Date
    May 2023
    List Price
    $52.95
  • eBook

    ISBN
    9780776640136
    Publish Date
    May 2023
    List Price
    $105.90

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Description

In this beautifully written biography penned by journalist Antoine Trépanier, the Honourable Michel Bastarache recounts his youth in Acadia and the various professional roles he occupied before becoming the first Acadian to accede to the Supreme Court of Canada.
Written as a letter addressed to his two children, who died of an incurable disease, Bastarache recounts his constant fight for equality between francophone and anglophone communities. He reminisces on his commitment among groups protecting francophones outside Québec, then on his careers as teacher, civil servant, lawyer, and judge.
He takes the reader backstage to the most important causes he worked on and reveals some of the secrets of the highest court in Canada. He also weighs in on the controversy surrounding the Inquiry Commission on the process for appointing judges of the Court of Québec, as well as his mediator work for reconciliation and compensation of alleged victims of sexual abuse by ex-priests in New Brunswick.

About the authors

Michel Bastarache's profile page

Julie da Silva's profile page

Antoine Trépanier est journaliste à Radio-Canada à Ottawa. Il a été chef de bureau aux affaires provinciales d’un journal au Nouveau-Brunswick, puis reporter à Radio-Canada à Moncton. Il est diplômé de l’Université d’Ottawa.

Antoine Trépanier's profile page

Born in Bouctouche, New Brunswick in 1929, Antonine Maillet is one of Canada's best-known writers both at home and abroad. The soul of contemporary Acadian literature, Maillet has been responsible for generating pride in her people through her stories depicting strong-willed Acadians. She is the author of dozens of books, including the award-winning and highly celebrated La Sagouine and The Tale of Don L'Orignal. She has also written children's books, radio and television scripts, and more than a dozen plays. Maillet was the first non-French citizen to win the prestigious Prix Goncourt for Pélagie-la-Charette. With that epic novel, she gained recognition for Acadia as she herself became more known throughout the world as a spokesperson for her people. Among her many literary prizes are the Prix France-Canada and the Governor General's Award. She is also a Companion of the Order of Canada (1982), Member of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada, Officer of the National Order of Québec, Officier des arts et des lettres and Officer des Palme's académiques in France, and Commandeur de l'Ordre du mérite culturel in Monaco. She has received honorary degrees from more than 25 universities in Canada and abroad and has served as chancellor of Université de Moncton, her alma mater.

Antonine Maillet's profile page

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