Mr. Gonthier was born in Montreal in November, 1869. After a period of arduous study and preparation he entered upon his business activities in 1890, and since that time has advanced steadily in his profession winning the good-will and esteem of everyone, so that we now see him occupying such positions of trust and public confidence as that of treasurer and director of the Chamber of Commerce and president of the Institute of Accountants and Auditors of the Province of Quebec. In fact, it was Mr. Gonthier himself who was chiefly instrumental in bringing about the establishment of the last mentioned institute, and he played no small part in its subsequent organization, for which his wide business experience and knowledge coupled with what we might term an unrivalled commercial sagacity, especially fitted him.
He was moreover one of the founders with the late Mr. Poindron of the Canada-French Trade Development Committee, since merged into the Comité France-Amérique under the presidency in Canada of the Hon. Raoul Dandurand.
Nor are Mr. Gonthier’s activities limited to the field of practical achievement. He has entered the lists as a public lecturer on financial and accounting subjects where he has won for himself considerable renown. In particular his essay on “Bonds as an Investment” has been highly praised and was even published in the financial journals at Paris. It is not surprising therefore that he has considerable influence in Belgium and in France.
GEORGES GONTHIER
It would be superfluous to add anything further to demonstrate the sterling qualities and well deserved reputation of Mr. Gonthier. It may, however, be interesting to accountants and auditors in general to know that it was mainly through his efforts that the law was passed to render compulsory the keeping of proper accounts to all who engage in business.