Joseph Julien Jean-Pierre Côté (January 9, 1926 – July 10, 2002) was a Canadian parliamentarian and the 23rd Lieutenant Governor of Quebec.

Early life

Born in Montreal, Quebec, the son of Émile Côté and Cédia Roy, he studied to be a dental technician at the École technique de denturologie in Montreal.

Member of Parliament

In the 1963 federal elections, he was elected in the riding of Longueuil as the Liberal candidate. He was re-elected in 1965 and 1968. He held quite a few ministerial positions including Postmaster General, Minister of National Revenue, Minister without Portfolio, and Minister of Communications (Acting). He did not run for re-election in 1972.

Senate of Canada

In 1972, he was appointed to the senate representing the senatorial division of Kennebec, Quebec. He resigned in 1978.

Lieutenant Governor of Quebec

In 1978, he was appointed Lieutenant Governor of Quebec. He served until 1984.

Family

On July 31, 1948, he married Marie Anne Germaine Tremblay (17 September 1922 - 31 January 2011). They had eight children together: Andrée, Gilbert, Danielle, Robert, Paul, Hélène, Jocelyne, Isabelle.

Honours

Artist

He was also an accomplished landscape painter. His paintings are quite sought after.