Gonthier, Georges, 1869-1943 : Born in Montréal on November 21, 1869, to Louis and Adéline (Charbonneau Gonthier). Georges Gonthier studied in Montréal, completing his studies at a public elementary school, a college, and then a private school before 1890. His first marriage was to Lumena Da Sylva on June 13, 1892. She died in Montréal on February 6, 1918. The couple had five children: Henri-Georges, Paul, Jeanne, Germaine and Marguerite. Georges Gonthier's second marriage was to Kathleen Doherty in 1927. They had one child: Charles D. Gonthier, born on August 1, 1928.
Georges Gonthier began his career as an administrator and accountant in 1893. He was a professional accountant in a time when this field was still developing in Quebec and left little room for francophones. In 1902, he was named treasurer and council member of the Montreal Chamber of Commerce. Georges Gonthier helped to promote several commercial and public utility measures in the early 20th century. He inspired the federal law passed in 1902 that required merchants and companies to keep a regular account of their company operations. This Act was promulgated in the Canadian Parliament in 1904. In 1907, he became a partner at the office of Alfred St-Cyr & Albert P. Frigon, Accountants. He was an expert consultant during the asset liquidation of rather important companies of the time, including the Quebec Southern Railway and the Banque Saint-Jean. In 1908, he participated in the Commission of Inquiry into the administration of the City of Montréal. In 1911, he partnered with H.E. Midgeley; their office became Gonthier & H.E. Midgeley, chartered accountants. He played a key role in the foundation of the Institut des comptables et des vérificateurs for the province of Quebec in 1912, and he was elected its first chairman. In this role, he increased the importance of francophone representation. He also encouraged accounting and bookkeeping education by founding the École des hautes études commerciales de Montréal. Gonthier was an organizer and executive member of the first National Accountant Association of Canada. With the help of several colleagues, he organized the Comité de développement des relations canado-françaises, which was established alongside the Raoul Dandurand's Comité France-Amérique. In 1924, he was named Auditor General of Canada in Ottawa, a position he held until 1934.
Georges Gonthier was also a theorist. Along with his other responsibilities, he gave classes and wrote articles on all matters relating to his profession in "Le Bulletin de la Chambre de commerce," "Le Moniteur du Commerce," "Le Prix courant" and various daily publications of the time. He was also a prolific speaker. He was well known by the public and had influential connections in France and Belgium. He died in 1943.
