25 Facts About Roger Teillet

Jean-Baptiste Roger Joseph Camille Teillet was a Canadian politician, becoming the first self-identifying Metis member of the Canadian Cabinet in 1963.

Roger Teillet served in the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba as a Liberal-Progressive from 1953 to 1959, and in the House of Commons of Canada as a Liberal from 1962 to 1968.

Jean-Baptiste Roger Joseph Camille Teillet was born on River Road in St Vital, Manitoba, to Sara Riel and Camille Teillet.

Roger Teillet was educated in St Vital and St Boniface schools, and at St Boniface College.

Roger Teillet took part in 24 successful bombing missions over Germany before being shot down over France in 1943.

Roger Teillet was a member of the Knights of Columbus and active in his Catholic parish of Precieux-sang.

Roger Teillet had always been involved in politics: he was involved with the L'Union Nationale Metisse; was a party organizer before ever going overseas; and was an original members of the St Vital Young Liberals when still a teenager.

Roger Teillet served in many capacities on the federal liberal party's executive in Winnipeg South Centre.

Roger Teillet was married to Jeanne Boux of St Boniface, Manitoba, with whom he had two sons, who in turn had two grandchildren.

Roger Teillet was first elected to the Manitoba Legislature in the 1953 provincial election, finishing atop the polls in the constituency of St Boniface, which in those days elected two members via a single transferable ballot.

Manitoba abandoned its multi-member constituencies in 1956, and Roger Teillet was re-elected for the now single-member seat of St Boniface in the 1958 provincial election.

The Liberal-Progressives were defeated in this election, and Roger Teillet did not seek re-election in 1959.

Roger Teillet ran for a seat in the House of Commons in the federal election of 1962, defeating incumbent Progressive Conservative Laurier Regnier by 2,601 votes in the federal riding of St Boniface.

Roger Teillet defeated Regnier again in the 1963 election, when the Liberals won a minority government under Lester B Pearson.

On 22 April 1963, Roger Teillet was appointed Minister of Veterans Affairs by Prime Minister Pearson.

At this point, Roger Teillet became the first self-identifying Metis member of Cabinet.

The Royal Canadian Legion was vehemently opposed to any new flag for Canada and Roger Teillet was required to be a mediary.

Roger Teillet sat on the New Flag Committee as an ex officio member.

Roger Teillet was involved in the revamping of Canada's veterans' hospitals.

Roger Teillet brought his concern forward but work did not begin on the monument until 1984.

Roger Teillet saw to it that Vimy Ridge was properly recognized at Vimy Park in Winnipeg, and established a memorial in Halifax dedicated to Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve members who died in the World War II.

Roger Teillet was re-elected over Progressive Conservative candidate Harry DeLeeuw in 1965.

Roger Teillet was the only Liberal MP in the Prairies.

Roger Teillet was then appointed to head the Canada Pension Commission by Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau.

Roger Teillet served on this Commission until his retirement in 1980.