Pierre Paradis

Paradis was born in Bedford in Quebec's Eastern Townships. He earned a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Ottawa (1973) and later took graduate studies in bills of exchange and business law at the same institution.{{QuebecMNAbio|paradis-pierre-1113}} He was called to the Quebec Bar in 1975 and worked as a lawyer before entering politics, specializing in constitutional and administrative cases. At age twenty-seven, he won a case before the Supreme Court of Canada against proposed limits on egg marketing.Margot Gibb-Clark, "Paradis behind but not quitting", The Globe and Mail, 24 September 1983, p. 14.

Before joining the Liberal Party, Paradis was a member of the Union Nationale. He was a riding association president in the 1976 provincial election and later served on the party's provincial executive."Liberal sweep likely in Monday's four Quebec by-elections", The Globe and Mail, 15 November 1980, p. 4; Margot Gibb-Clark, "Bourassa tries comeback, joins Quebec Liberal race", The Globe and Mail, 20 August 1983, p. 12. He left when he learned that Union Nationale leader Rodrigue Biron was planning to support the "Oui" side in Quebec's 1980 referendum on sovereignty.

Paradis was elected to the National Assembly in a by-election held shortly after the 1980 referendum.He won the Liberal Party nomination over Rosaire Raymond, who served as the mayor of Cowansville from 1975 to 1983 and has owned several transportation companies. See Jennifer Robinson, "Down-to-earth Paradis wows Bourassa", Montreal Gazette, 28 March 1987, B4. For information on Raymond, see Paul Delean, "Wheels of fortune: Trucker's three daughters play a key role in firm's success", Montreal Gazette, 26 April 1999, F1, and [http://www.genealogiequebec.com/mairesduquebec/munic.php?id=1477 Les entités municipales: Cowansville], Généalogie Québec. Retrieved 7 January 2010. He was re-elected in the 1981 general election. The Parti Québécois was in government during this period, and Paradis sat as a member of the official opposition.

Paradis was appointed as his party's labour critic in October 1982."Quebec Liberals shuffle critics", The Globe and Mail, 6 October 1982, p. 9. He increased his profile in early 1983 by asking rigorous questions of Parti Québécois members during a televised hearing into the role played by Quebec Premier René Lévesque's office in approving a contentious out-of-court settlement.Margot Gibb-Clark, "Levesque won't seek Liberal leadership", 21 July 1983, p. 11. The settlement produced a mini-scandal known in the local press as "Hydrogate".

There were rumours that Paradis would run for the Progressive Conservative Party in the 1984 Canadian federal election, although these ultimately came to nothing.Lawrence Martin, "Quebec seat for Mulroney in next election, Tories say", The Globe and Mail, 13 January 1984, p. 8; "'French power' in PM's Cabinet is Quebec aim", The Globe and Mail, 6 July 1984, p. 8.

Claude Ryan resigned as Liberal leader after his party's loss in the 1981 provincial election. A leadership convention was scheduled for 1983. Despite having a low public profile, Paradis declared himself a candidate.

Paradis centred his campaign around three principles: "respect for individual rights and freedoms", "the leading role of private enterprise in our economy", and "a firm commitment to [Canadian] federalism."Joyce Napier, "Paradis seeks to lead Liberals in Quebec", The Globe and Mail, 10 August 1983, p. 10. He also called for the Liberal Party to change its image and identify more with the province's regions.Margot Gibb-Clark, "Experience, youth seen as choices in Quebec contest", The Globe and Mail, 5 September 1983, p. 1. He favoured the sale of some crown corporations and was considered the most right-wing of the leadership candidates.Margot Gibb-Clark, "Bourassa tries comeback, joins Quebec Liberal race", 16 August 1983, p. 1; Margot Gibb-Clark, "Voter majority seen tonight Bourassa leadership win close", The Globe and Mail, 13 September 1983, p. 19. This notwithstanding, he also supported Quebec's universal medicare policy; one newspaper article described him as ideologically closer to Brian Mulroney, the leader of the federal Progressive Conservatives, than he was to Ronald Reagan, the President of the United States.

Several reports from the campaign described Paradis as a natural politician with effective organizational skills. One article referred to him as being "from the meat-cleaver school of oratory" with "no shadings of ambiguity."Margot Gibb-Clark, "Bourassa tries comeback, joins Quebec Liberal race", The Globe and Mail, 20 August 1983, p. 12. Gibb-Clark quoted the "meat-cleaver school" line from another, unnamed journalist.

Robert Bourassa won the 1983 Quebec Liberal Party leadership election with seventy-five per cent of delegate support at the convention. Paradis finished a distant second, narrowly ahead of third-place candidate Daniel Johnson Jr. Despite his loss, Paradis won the respect of other Liberals and improved his public standing through the campaign.Victor Maralek, "Losers got no second chance in vote", The Globe and Mail, 17 October 1983, p. 19. In November 1983, Bourassa appointed him as the party's social affairs critic."Bourassa keeping 2 leadership rivals in shadow cabinet", The Globe and Mail, 15 November 1983, N4.

The Liberals won a majority government in the 1985 provincial election, and Bourassa became premier of Quebec for a second time. There were early rumours that he would appoint Paradis as Minister of Agriculture, but this idea was opposed by the Union des producteurs agricoles.Graham Fraser, "Bourassa likely to pick former justice minister for finance portfolio", The Globe and Mail, 12 December 1985, A4. Instead, Bourassa appointed Paradis as Minister of Labour and Minister of Manpower and Income Security on 12 December 1985."Quebec Cabinet is sworn in", The Globe and Mail, 13 December 1985, A10.

;Social assistance policy

Paradis revived a dormant government policy of sending inspectors to the homes of people receiving social assistance in 1986. He said this would reduce the number of erroneous files and likely save the province sixty-eight million dollars in one year."Welfare recipients to be checked", The Globe and Mail, 19 May 1986, A5. Critics charged that the inspections would lead to invasions of privacy and intimidation.Bertrand Marotte, "Quebec inspectors seek welfare fraud", The Globe and Mail, 13 June 1986, A8. The inspectors were nicknamed the Bou-bou Macoutes, a reference to both François Duvalier's notorious Tonton Macoutes and a diminutive nickname for Robert Bourassa. The Ligue des droits et libertés and the Quebec Human Rights Commission strongly opposed the practice, and the Quebec Legal Services Commission argued that mandatory visits were unconstitutional."Welfare inspections 'unconstitutional,' commission says", The Globe and Mail, 16 June 1986, A5; Francois Shalom, "Quebec groups denounce province's 'welfare-police' tactics", The Globe and Mail, 18 June 1986, N5. Paradis responded that the Justice Ministry had determined the visits were legal and that a provincial code of ethics would prevent abuses.Bertrand Marotte, "Welfare's home visits criticized", The Globe and Mail, 26 June 1986, A9. Following extensive criticism, the city of Montreal quietly stopped the inspections in January 1988.Sarah Scott, "Welfare officials rein in the 'bou-bou macoutes'", Montreal Gazette, 9 July 1988, B6.

Paradis also announced in 1986 that social assistance recipients who owned cottages, boats, second cars, snowmobiles, or houses with more than $50,000 equity would have their rates reduced. While acknowledging that out-of-work adults who had exhausted their unemployment insurance had the right to keep some of their possessions, he added that the government had to set limits on luxury items and that this reform would allow greater payments to the "truly needy."Robert McKenzie, "Welfare cut for Quebecers with cottages, boats", Toronto Star, 30 May 1986, A3.

In late 1987, Paradis introduced further reforms that increased payments for those unfit to work, provided financial assistance to low-paid parents of young children, introduced a tax credit allowing welfare recipients to take minor jobs without jeopardizing their payments, and ended a policy of paying older recipients more than younger recipients. The reforms also required that able-bodied recipients take training, do community work, or accept minor, low-paid jobs; failure to do any of these would result in payment cuts. Paradis argued that the new policy would allow more recipients to enter the workforce; critics argued it would provide a supply of cheap labour for Quebec businesses. A The Globe and Mail summary noted that the bill had both progressive and conservative elements.Benoit Aubin, "Quebec introduces sweeping reform of welfare program", The Globe and Mail, 11 December 1987, A13; Lise Bissonnette, "Paradis is determined to make welfare work", The Globe and Mail, 19 December 1987, D2.

;Construction sector

Paradis introduced legislation in 1986 to create the Commission de la construction du Québec (CCQ) to oversee Quebec's construction sector. The commission was overseen by representatives from labour, management, and the government and was mandated to issue certificates based on competency. Access to the construction trade had previously been determined by work experience, and Paradis said the new system would provide opportunities for younger workers.Robert McKenzie, "Quebec plans to overhaul construction industry", Toronto Star, 13 November 1986, A3. Some objected that the new regulations would allow more out-of-province workers to access the market, although Paradis denied this.

;Other

Paradis initiated a back-to-work order in March 1986 that ended a strike of 4,200 blue-collar workers in Montreal. The strike affected garbage collection and road repair, and Paradis argued it had created a safety concern; he also charged that the union neglected its responsibility to provide essential services."Quebec set to halt Montreal strike", Toronto Star, 14 March 1986, A8; Graham Fraser, "Montreal outside workers are ordered to end strike", The Globe and Mail, 19 March 1986, A8. In June of the same year, he introduced emergency legislation to end a one-day strike of 100,000 construction workers across the province."Quebec construction at a standstill", The Globe and Mail, 17 June 1986, A11. In 1987, Paradis led cabinet in suspending the right to strike of maintenance workers in Montreal Transit."Transit workers lose strike right", The Globe and Mail, 4 May 1987, A5.

Paradis increased the provincial minimum wage from four dollars to $4.75 per hour between 1986 and 1988."Minimum wage in Quebec to rise to $4.75 an hour", The Globe and Mail, 3 June 1988, B4. He worked to prevent layoffs at the Steinberg grocery chain in 1988."Quebec puts conditions on aid to curtail layoffs at Steinberg", Toronto Star, 11 June 1988, SA2; Harvey Enchin, "Steinberg and union still seek a consensus", The Globe and Mail, 18 June 1988, B3. The chain was Quebec's third-largest employer.

Paradis was appointed as Minister of Municipal Affairs and Minister responsible for Housing in July 1988. In this capacity, he oversaw the province's response to unusual developments in the city of Saint-Laurent. Following a complex dispute over municipal development, four opposition councillors decided to boycott council meetings and deny quorum. Paradis said in April 1989 that the situation had "sufficiently exhausted the patience of government", although he resisted calls to impose trusteeship before a key municipal by-election.Andre Picard, "Bizarre standoff leaves City of St. Laurent without government", The Globe and Mail, 27 April 1989, A20.

In July 1989, Paradis initiated legislation that saved the city of Montreal from paying $228 million in business tax refunds. A Quebec Superior Court decision earlier in the year had struck down parts of a municipal taxation bylaw; this decision prompted a flood of lawsuits, and Paradis reluctantly intervened to protect city's credit rating.Andre Picard, "Quebec bill absolves Montreal from paying business tax refunds", The Globe and Mail, 4 July 1989, B4. Technically, the change was enacted through a Private Member's Bill. In reality, Paradis authorized the legislation.

Paradis was re-elected in the 1989 provincial election and was promoted to Minister of the Environment in October 1989. When Daniel Johnson succeeded Bourassa in January 1994, he changed Paradis's title to minister of the Environment and Wildlife."Leaner look for cabinet", The Globe and Mail, 12 January 1994, A4. He also served as the Government House Leader from 1992 to 1994.{{citation needed|date=July 2020}}

;Ministry reforms

At the time of Paradis's appointment, the Quebec environment ministry was known for being disorganized and bureaucratic.Philip Authier, "Paradis pulls on his green jeans; Environment minister finds closet full of horrors in his new portfolio", Montreal Gazette, 23 December 1989, B4; Graeme Hamilton, "For Pierre Paradis, 1990 has been the year of living environmentally", Montreal Gazette, 27 October 1990, A5. In November 1989, he introduced restructuring changes directed toward fighting industrial pollution. The most notable change was the appointment of a deputy minister for sustainable development, charged with ensuring that new industrial projects would be environmentally sound.Andre Picard, "Shakeup to gear Quebec ministry for attack on industrial pollution", The Globe and Mail, 25 November 1989, N18. The following year, Paradis expressed disappointment that his department received only fifteen million dollars for restructuring rather than the expected fifty million."Won't leave the cabinet, Paradis says", The Globe and Mail, 2 May 1990, N9.

;Great Whale River project

As Environment Minister, Paradis was responsible for overseeing Quebec's environmental assessment of the proposed Great Whale River project. As such, he became involved in separate but overlapping controversies with one of his cabinet colleagues, the government of Canada, and the Cree of northern Quebec.

Paradis and provincial Energy Minister Lise Bacon engaged in a public dispute over Great Whale's schedule in 1990. Bacon wanted a two-stage environmental assessment that would allow access roads and airports to be constructed as quickly as possible. Paradis initially agreed, but he later called for a single comprehensive assessment when the Cree warned that a two-stage process would violate a prior agreement. He also stressed that Great Whale could be shut down if it was found to be environmentally unsound, while Bacon argued that it was necessary for Quebec's energy needs.Philip Authier, "Bacon challenges Paradis on his James Bay reversal", Montreal Gazette, 21 September 1990, A1; Barrie McKenna, "Ministers at odds over James Bay project", The Globe and Mail, 26 September 1990, B6; Rhéal Séguin, "James Bay warning issue Battle likely in Quebec cabinet", The Globe and Mail, 11 October 1990, A6; Robert McKenzie, "James Bay plan in jeopardy, ministers say", Toronto Star, 11 October 1990, A14; Eloise Morin, "Even $1 billion wouldn't save hydro project, Cree insist", Toronto Star, 8 November 1990, A3. The government ultimately approved the two-stage approach over Paradis's objections.Barrie McKenna, "Great Whale may be killed by delays, supporters say", The Globe and Mail, 12 April 1991, B3.

Paradis also opposed the federal government's bid to conduct an independent environmental assessment, on the grounds that Great Whale was within Quebec's jurisdiction.William Walker, "Reassassing impact of megaprojects", Toronto Star, 22 April 1990, B4. He reached an agreement with federal Environment Minister Robert de Cotret in January 1991 to conduct a shared review of the project's dams, but not of its roads and other infrastructure.Dennis Bueckert, "Agreement set on review of hydro project", Kitchener-Waterloo Record, 8 January 1991, A10. This agreement later fell through due to differences between the parties.Andre Picard, "Three named to review panel on power project Academics to examine full impact of Great Whale development", The Globe and Mail, 16 August 1991, A4. De Cotret's successor, Jean Charest, tried to establish a single, comprehensive assessment involving both levels of government; although Paradis still supported the idea of a single assessment, he opposed what he described as Charest's encroachment into the provincial domain.Kevin Dougherty, "New James Bay Snag?", Financial Post, 23 May 1991, p. 44; Andre Picard, "Hearings ordered on power project", The Globe and Mail, 11 July 1991, A1.

The Cree of northern Quebec opposed the Great Whale project on the grounds that it would cause massive flooding in their traditional territories. Under Matthew Coon Come's leadership, the Cree used lawsuits and an international publicity campaign to draw attention to their concerns. Paradis expressed support for their position, although he criticized tactical decisions made by the Cree leadership.Patricia Poirier, "Crees seek to halt Quebec project", The Globe and Mail, 26 October 1990, A7; Eloise Morin, "Even $1 billion wouldn't save hydro project, Cree insist", Toronto Star, 8 November 1990, A3; Andre Picard, "Great Whale lawsuits to continue, Crees say", 23 August 1991, A4; Rhéal Séguin, "Quebec proceeds gingerly in dealing with Cree unrest", The Globe and Mail, 27 June 1991, N4.

The Bourassa government curtailed its development plans in August 1991, and Paradis announced that construction would not begin until a thorough environmental review had taken place."Great Whale project on hold Environmental review planned", The Globe and Mail, 22 August 1991, A5; Andre Picard, "Great Whale lawsuits to continue, Crees say", The Globe and Mail, 23 August 1991, A4. The following month, the Federal Court of Appeal ruled that the federal government was legally bound to undertake a comprehensive study of the project's effects on the environment and indigenous communities, and that it therefore had final authority over the project.Robert McKenzie, "Quebec, Ottawa may both appeal hydro dam ruling", Toronto Star, 12 September 1991, A15. The court also ruled that the federal and provincial governments could not undertake a joint review without agreement from the Cree and Inuit.Rhéal Séguin and Andre Picard, "Quebec gives in to Great Whale review", The Globe and Mail, 3 October 1991, A4. The Great Whale project was ultimately cancelled by the Quebec government 1994.Charles Trueheart, "Quebec Turns Off Giant Hydroelectric Project", The Washington Post, 20 November 1994, A34.

;Federal–provincial relations

In 1989, Paradis and Ontario Environment Minister Jim Bradley successfully pressured the federal government to increase standards for motor vehicle emissions.David Israelson, "Observers gasp at toughness of exhaust rules", Toronto Star, 29 October 1989, B4. Paradis and Bradley also worked to harmonize their respective environmental laws, to ensure that companies would not be able to leave one province for the other to avoid regulation.Andre Picard, "Quebec, Ontario agree to unify pollution laws", The Globe and Mail, 25 November 1989, B3.

The Parliament of Canada passed a law in 1992 to increase federal oversight of projects such as dams and paper mills. Paradis described the law as "totalitarian", arguing that it encroached on Quebec's jurisdiction.Rhéal Séguin, "Ottawa being totalitarian, Quebec says", The Globe and Mail, 18 March 1992, A4; Geoffrey York, "Quebec enraged by bill's approval", The Globe and Mail, 20 March 1992, A6. The bill was not proclaimed into law until late 1994, by which time the Quebec Liberal Party was out of office.Rhéal Séguin, "Action on environment bill renews PQ fire on Ottawa", The Globe and Mail, 7 October 1994, A5.

In early 1994, Paradis reached an agreement with new federal Environment Minister Sheila Copps for a six-year program to clean up the Great Lakes and Saint Lawrence River."Ottawa to kick in $150M for Lakes, river cleanup", Financial Post, 19 April 1994, p. 59. In the same year, the Quebec Environment Ministry was given sole responsibility for enforcing pulp and paper environmental regulations."Enforcement transferred", The Globe and Mail, 7 May 1994, B2.

;Other environmental concerns

In October 1991, Paradis approved a gas processing and storage project by Soligaz in Varennes. The initial provincial review recommended that the project be rejected due to safety concerns, although two subsequent reviews called for the government to approve it."Paradis backs Soligaz", The Globe and Mail, 12 October 1991, B2; "Quebec sees Soligaz project as revitalization of industry", Toronto Star, 21 October 1991, B4.

Paradis ordered the closure of a Tioxide plant in Tracy, Quebec in 1992, saying that the company had repeatedly broken its promise to improve environmental standards. The plant had long been regarded as one of Quebec's worst polluters.Andre Picard, "Plant to shut down for ignoring clean-up orders", The Globe and Mail, 30 May 1992, A6. The company initially challenged the ruling, but shut down part of the operation in 1993.Barrie McKenna, "St. Lawrence's worst polluter closing part of Quebec plant", 2 February 1993, B7.

A Montreal Gazette report in late 1991 noted that Paradis had "injected new vigor into the enforcement of anti-pollution laws" but added that he had not succeeding in making the environment a priority of the Bourassa government."Paradis suffers a blow", Montreal Gazette, 30 December 1991, B2.

;Canadian federalism

As a vocal supporter of Canadian federalism, Paradis had little involvement in the Bourassa government's turn to Quebec nationalism after the failure of the Meech Lake Accord.Robert McKenzie, "Quebec cabinet looks united as federalist ministers lie low", Toronto Star, 31 January 1991, A11. He opposed the nationalist Allaire Report and promoted changes to Quebec's Charter of the French Language to permit an increased use of languages other than French on public signs.David Olive, "Independence movement ruled by limo separatists who still want the income to shop on Rue Sherbooke", The Globe and Mail, 16 February 1991, D4; "Darts and Laurels", Toronto Star, 23 February 1991, D2; Eloise Morin, "Canada must woo Quebec top Bourassa aide says", Toronto Star, 27 March 1991, A1; Rhéal Séguin, "Cabinet ministers back away from official Liberal platform", The Globe and Mail, 28 May 1992, A9; Daniel Sanger, "Environmental law approved by Senate 'Judicial warfare' promised in Quebec", Hamilton Spectator, 2 January 1993, A12; "Quebec plans end to 15-year ban on English signs", Reuters News, 6 May 1993. In 1994, however, Paradis said that his party would need to reach out to Quebec nationalists for the "Non" side to win the next referendum on sovereignty.Rhéal Séguin and John Gray, "Parizeau pleads for civil debate", The Globe and Mail, 15 September 1994, A1.

Paradis chose not to run for the Liberal Party leadership when Robert Bourassa resigned for health reasons in 1993.Rhéal Séguin, "Johnson backers try to place him in front", The Globe and Mail, 23 September 1993, A4. Before Bourassa's resignation, a report in the Montreal Gazette indicated that Paradis was popular in the countryside but not in urban centres and that party insiders regarded his management style as erratic. See Sarah Scott, "Liberals eye Pierre Marc Johnson as leader", Montreal Gazette, 29 May 1993, A1. Daniel Johnson won the leadership without opposition.Rhéal Séguin, "Johnson to replace Bourassa by default", The Globe and Mail, 14 December 1993, A1.

The Parti Québécois defeated the Liberals in the 1994 provincial election. Paradis, who was re-elected in his own riding without difficulty, served as opposition house leader after the election.

He campaigned for the "non" side in the 1995 Quebec referendum on sovereignty. Shortly before election day, he warned that Quebecers would vote for sovereignty unless the federal government and other provincial premiers gave the province "a signal" that Quebecers could expect favourable changes in a united Canada.Sandro Contenta, "Federalist sends distress call", Toronto Star, 24 October 1995, A10. After a last-minute rally, the federalist side won a narrow victory.

Paradis initially supported Daniel Johnson against challenges to his leadership in early 1997.Rhéal Séguin, "Embattled Johnson assumes nationalist mantle", The Globe and Mail, 5 March 1997, A4. Relations between the two men later became tense, however, and Paradis did not support Johnson against similar challenges in 1998.Rhéal Séguin, "Charest focuses on election as he names caucus leaders", The Globe and Mail, 14 May 1998, A8.

When Johnson announced his resignation in March 1998, Paradis was again rumoured as a possible leadership candidate. He was known in this period as a strong parliamentary tactician whose fiscal conservative still put him on the right wing of the party. Some questioned whether he had the public profile to lead his party to victory.Andre Picard, "Power of a kingmaker", The Globe and Mail, 3 March 1998, A4; "Canada's Charest best hope for Quebec Liberals-poll", Reuters News, 7 March 1998. In the buildup to a possible leadership contest, Paradis criticized the federal government's Millennium Fund and a new program for the elderly as encroachments on Quebec's jurisdiction.Rhéal Séguin, Graham Fraser, and Kevin Cox, "Drop hard-line stand, Quebec Grits tell Ottawa", The Globe and Mail, 10 March 1998, A7. He ultimately decided not to seek the leadership, and Jean Charest was chosen as Liberal leader without opposition."Quebec Liberal candidates do shuffle", The Globe and Mail, 17 March 1998, A1; Rhéal Séguin, "Paradis drops out of Quebec race", The Globe and Mail, 17 March 1998, A3. Charest kept Paradis as the party's house leader.

The Liberals were again defeated in the 1998 provincial election, despite winning a plurality of the popular vote. Paradis remained as opposition house leader for the next five years, and it was expected that he would be included in cabinet if and when his party returned to power.Maurice Crossfield, "Paradis ends nine years in opposition", Sherbrooke Record, 15 April 2005, p. 5.

The Liberals won a majority government under Charest's leadership in the 2003 provincial election. When Charest announced his first cabinet, there was general surprise that Paradis was excluded.Rhéal Séguin, "Charest sworn in as Quebec Premier", The Globe and Mail, 30 April 2003, A7; Maurice Crossfield, "B-M shocked at Paradis snub", Sherbrooke Record, 1 May 2003, p. 1. When asked about the decision, Charest said that he wanted to highlight a new tone and a change of generation.

Paradis said that his exclusion marked a shift in the Liberal Party from the values of Robert Bourassa and Claude Ryan to a more right-wing approach. Despite his own right-wing background, Paradis was by this period regarded as a moderate who supported a role for the state in Quebec life and opposed Charest's labour policies and funding cuts.Rhéal Séguin, "Paradis suddenly yesterday's man", The Globe and Mail (breaking news), 8 June 2003; "Prominent Quebec Liberal returns to backbench, promises to guard party values", Canadian Press, 25 November 2003, 14:47; Josee Legault, "Charest needs the new, gentler Pierre Paradis", Montreal Gazette, 28 November 2003, A23.

In the months that followed, Paradis speculated about quitting provincial politics. He considered running as a Liberal for Saint-Jean in the next federal election and there were rumours that he would be appointed as a judge."Snubbed by Charest, MNA ponders quitting", The Globe and Mail, 3 June 2003, A10; "Quebec legislature member says he's being courted by federal Liberals", Canadian Press, 5 September 2003, 13:28. He eventually chose to take his seat on the government backbenches in November 2003."Phone call from Charest helps keep former cabinet minister in politics", National Post, 26 November 2003, A7. In 2006, he voted against Charest's decision to sell part of the Mont Orford provincial park to private interests.Hubert Bauch, "Charest can't avoid the storm", Montreal Gazette, 2 April 2006, A1; Don McPherson, "Loyalty's issue for Charest", Montreal Gazette, 4 May 2006, A1; Rhéal Séguin, "Quebec pushes through bill privatizing Orford park", The Globe and Mail, 14 June 2006, A14.

The Liberals were reduced to a minority government in the 2007 provincial election, and Paradis was re-elected by the narrowest margin of his career at that time against a candidate from the upstart Action démocratique du Québec party. There was some speculation that he would be returned to cabinet, but this did not occur.Rhéal Séguin, "Fragile win puts pressure on Charest's leadership", The Globe and Mail (breaking news), 27 March 2007; Rhéal Séguin, "Woman fill half of cabinet in Quebec", The Globe and Mail, 19 April 2007, A12. He considered running for speaker of the assembly in 2008, but he declined after meeting with opposition from others in his party. He instead supported Yvon Vallières for the position.Rita Legault, "The next speaker?", Sherbrooke Record, 18 July 2008, p. 1; Rita Legault, "Assembly sees side swipe", Sherbrooke Record, 22 October 2008, p. 3; Rita Legault, "Vallières is Liberal choice for speaker", Sherbrooke Record, 15 August 2008, p. 1.

Paradis was returned again by an increased margin in the 2008 election as the Liberals returned to a majority government. As before, he was excluded from Charest's cabinet.Rita Legault, "Charest's cabinet named", Sherbrooke Record, 19 December 2008, p. 4. He remained a government backbencher until the Liberals were defeated in the 2012 election, Paradis was narrowly re-elected in Brome-Missisquoi edging out his CAQ opponent by 0.72% or 303 votes the closest margin of his career. In the 2014 election, Paradis won handedly with 44.50% of the vote 16,5% higher than his closest opponent who won almost 28%.

The Liberals returned to office in the 2014 election under new leader Philippe Couillard. Paradis was sworn in as Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and Minister responsible for the Eastern Townships on 23 April 2014.{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/philippe-couillard-unveils-new-liberal-cabinet-1.2619057|title=Philippe Couillard unveils new Liberal cabinet|website=CBC News|date=23 April 2014}} This marked his return to cabinet after a 20-year absence.{{cite web|url=https://montrealgazette.com/news/interactives/couillard-cabinet/index.html|title=Quebec's new cabinet|website=Montreal Gazette}} He held the latter post until 28 January 2016.

On 26 January 2017, Paradis stepped down as Minister of Agriculture due to a concussion after a riding accident. The next day he was removed from caucus after Premier Philippe Couillard received a letter from a complainant alleging that Paradis had engaged in sexual harassment. On 19 June 2017, Paradis was cleared of any charges by the Director of Criminal and Penal Prosecutions (DPCP).{{Cite web|url=https://montrealgazette.com/news/quebec/no-charges-to-be-filed-against-former-liberal-minister-pierre-paradis|title=No charges to be filed against former Liberal minister Pierre Paradis {{!}} The montreal Gazette|website=montrealgazette.com|language=en-CA|access-date=2018-06-11}} He was invited back to the Liberal caucus on 16 August 2018.{{cite web|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/4391680/pierre-paradis-liberal-caucus/|title= Pierre Paradis back in Liberal caucus, unlikely to be candidate|last=Fletcher|first=Raquel|website=Global News|date=16 August 2018|access-date=3 October 2018}}

Paradis's local organization supported Progressive Conservative incumbent Gabrielle Bertrand in the 1988 federal election.Robert McKenzie, "Key Quebec Liberal organisers back Mulroney", Toronto Star, 14 October 1988, A24. He later aligned with the federal Liberal Party and was rumoured as a candidate for a 1995 by-election in Brome—Missisquoi (the federal electoral district of the same name)."National Notebook", The Globe and Mail, 27 September 1994, A4. See also Rosemary Speirs, "Caucus highlights PM's isolation in Quebec", Toronto Star, 28 January 1997, A17, which notes that Paradis was one of only two Quebec Liberal legislators to attend a gathering of the federal Liberal Party caucus. After deciding not to run, he supported his brother Denis Paradis for the position.Sandro Contenta, "'Local guy' in tough fight for Bloc", Toronto Star, 16 January 1995, A1. Denis Paradis won the election and was later a cabinet minister in the governments of Jean Chrétien and Paul Martin.

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