A bronze bust of Pierre Bédard was recently unveiled in the Quebec National Assembly. Bédard was a journalist, politician, judge and nationalist leader of Lower Canada, in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. He was an early advocate of responsible government. Bédard was also a philosopher who engaged in imaginary dialogues with Voltaire, Rousseau, Diderot and Montesquieu. IDEAS host Paul Kennedy explores his significance for Quebec today.

Featured Guests:

Gilles Gallichan (former Librarian to the National Assembly, in Quebec)

Evelyn Kolish (former Legal Archivist at the National Library of Quebec, in Montreal)

Donald Fyson (who teaches the history of Lower Canada at Laval University)