Claude Ryan

Claude Ryan
Claude Ryan, c. 1988
Member of the National Assembly of Quebec for Argenteuil
In office 1979–1994
Preceded by	Zoël Saindon
Succeeded by	Régent L. Beaudet
Personal details
Born	(1925-01-26)January 26, 1925 Montreal, Quebec
Died	February 9, 2004(2004-02-09) (aged 79) Montreal, Quebec
Political party	Quebec Liberal Party

Claude Ryan, CC GOQ (January 26, 1925 – February 9, 2004) was a Canadian journalist and politician. He was the director of the newspaper Le Devoir from 1964 to 1978, leader of the Quebec Liberal Party from 1978 to 1982, National Assembly of Quebec member for Argenteuil from 1979 to 1994 and minister from 1985 to 1989.

Ryan was born in Montreal, Quebec, the son of Blandine Dorion and Henri-Albert Ryan. Ryan's brother, Yves Ryan, was also politically active, serving as mayor of Montreal North from 1963 to 2001.

From 1962 to 1978, Ryan was editorialist at Le Devoir, a French-language daily newspaper in Montréal, and he was the director of the newspaper from 1964 to 1978. During his tenure at the head of the editorial staff he became known for his probity and his mastery of contemporary political issues. His advice was sought by the provincial governments of Quebec and by opposition parties.

Ryan garnered attention during the 1970 October Crisis, when he was accused of participating in a plot to overthrow Robert Bourassa's recently elected government. Though the rumour was proven to be baseless, it served as a source of tension between Ryan and Prime Minister of Canada Pierre Elliott Trudeau, who Ryan suspected of having spread the rumour in an attempt to damage him politically.