Victor C. Goldbloom (b. 1923) served as the fourth Commissioner of Official Languages of Canada from 1991 to 1999, defending the language rights of Anglophones and Francophones and promoting the use of both languages in Canada. During his term, he took a great interest in minority language educational rights and closely monitored the progress of school governance.
Born in 1923 in Montreal, QC, Victor C. Goldbloom completed his medical studies at McGill University in 1945, later teaching pediatric medicine for several years. In 1962, he was elected a Governor of the old Corporation Professionelle des médecins du Québec, and then appointed Vice President of that organization, a position he held until 1966.
In June 1966, he was elected MNA for the new provincial riding of D'Arcy-McGee. In April 1970, after four years in the opposition, he was re-elected and became the first member of Quebec's Jewish community to serve in the Premier's cabinet. As the Minister of Environment, Victor C. Goldbloom brought in the Environmental Quality Act and organized the Environmental Protection Service. In 1973, he was also appointed the Minister of Municipal Affairs, thus combining two ministerial functions. In 1976, his portfolio also included the Olympics Installations Board. He was then re-elected for a fourth term to the National Assembly as a member of the official opposition. In 1979, he left his position as MNA.
Since then, Victor C. Goldbloom has worked to bring Quebec's cultural communities closer together. In 1980, he accepted a position as CEO of the Canadian Council of Christians and Jews that he held until 1987. From 1982 to 1990, he chaired the International Council of Christians and Jews. In 1991, he was appointed Commissioner of Official Languages remaining in this position until 1999.
He has also received a number of honorary distinctions, including being made an Officer of the Order of Canada (1983) and the Ordre du Québec (1991).