AntoineLabelle

Antoine Labelle was a prominent figure in Quebec during the late 19th century. He was born in the Sainte-Rose parish of Laval, Quebec, on November 24, 1833. Labelle was a lawyer by profession, having studied at the Collège de L'Assomption and later at McGill University. He was called to the bar in 1862.

Labelle is perhaps best known for his role as a proponent of Quebec settlement in the Laurentian region. He believed that encouraging French Canadians to colonize these northern territories was crucial for their economic and cultural survival. He actively promoted emigration to areas like the Saguenay and Abitibi regions, often referred to as the "colonization apostolate." His efforts aimed to counter the outward migration of Quebecers to the United States and to assert French Canadian presence in the vast northern wilderness.

Beyond his colonization efforts, Labelle was also involved in politics. He served as a Member of Parliament for the riding of Laval from 1878 to 1890. He was a member of the Conservative Party. His political career often intersected with his advocacy for colonization, as he sought government support and resources for settlement projects. Antoine Labelle passed away on October 24, 1891, in Montreal. His legacy is closely tied to the expansion of Quebec's frontier and the preservation of French Canadian culture in the face of economic and social pressures of the era.