Michel Prévost, chief archivist
Mgr Henri Légaré, rector of the University of Ottawa from 1958 to 1964, died July 19 at the age of 86. A man of vision, he initiated negotiations which would lead to the restructuring of the University in 1965.
Henri-François Légaré was born on February 20, 1918 at Willow Bunch, Sask. After studying at the College catholique de Gravelbourg (now College Mathieu) in Saskatchewan, and with the oblates in Saint-Laurent, Man., he was ordained in 1943 in Lebret, in his native province. The young priest subsequently undertook specialized studies in social sciences at the University of Laval and at the University of Lille in France, where he attended his doctorate viva. In 1952, he became national chaplain and the first executive director of the Association of Catholic Hospitals of Canada, a position he held until 1957.
Henri Légaré arrived at the University of Ottawa in 1954 as dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences. In 1958, he headed the establishment until he was replaced by Father Roger Guindon in 1964. Still a long way from retirement, the former rector became superior of the oblates of Manitoba in 1966, bishop of Labrador-Schefferville in 1967, and archbishop of Grouard-McLennan, in Alberta, in 1972. Mgr Légaré finally took his well-deserved retirement in Ottawa in 1996.
It was during Henri Légaré's mandate, in 1959, that the Ontario government granted the University the power to expropriate property in Sandy Hill. This right, renewed in 1964, proved to be providential, as it prevented further speculation on the land required for the University's expansion.
In 1960, architect Jean-Serge Le Fort presented an ambitious $31.5 million expansion plan, which included 22 construction projects spread out over 20 years -- among them, a library in the medical building (Vanier, in 1963), a law building, a student residence (Marchand, in 1964) and a sports centre. The future seemed promising, but the reality proved somewhat more complex.
In fact, at the beginning of the 1960s, the financial burden of the expansion, which prevailed since 1945, provoked a serious financial crisis. During this period, the operating budget soared tremendously, increasing to more than $4 million from $650,000.
As a bilingual catholic institution, the University of Ottawa was not eligible for provincial funding, even though it was the only university in Ontario to offer programs in French. Although it received provincial subsidies for science and medicine, the administration had to acknowledge its need for further governmental financial assistance. While the institution's expansion plans forced the University to go deeper into debt each year, the situation became alarming and the need for funding inescapable.
In 1963, after months of discussion with the superior general of the oblates and their colleagues, as well as consultations with lay personnel, Rector Légaré proposed to the government that he would remove his congregation's exclusive authority over the University.
Undoubtedly, it was the perseverance and determination of Father Légaré and his successor, Father Roger Guindon, which allowed the oblates and the Ontario government to reach a final agreement that led to the adoption of the University of Ottawa's Bill 158 in 1965.
Indeed, the University administration recognized Mgr Légaré's exceptional contribution, first by awarding him an honorary degree in 1984, then by presenting him with the medal of the University and granting him the title of rector emeritus during the 150th anniversary celebrations of 1998.
