[1] Born in St-Paul, La Salle had a career in public relations and sales when he first attempted to win a parliamentary seat as a Progressive Conservative in the 1965 federal election, running in Joliette—L'Assomption—Montcalm.
[6] La Salle was the only Quebec Tory MP returned in the 1980 election, only surviving in his own riding by 389 votes.
[7] La Salle chose not run in his home town of Joliette because the riding was then represented by an old friend of his, Guy Chevrette, a member of the PQ and Party Whip.
[10] When the Tories again formed government after the 1984 election, this time under Brian Mulroney, La Salle became Minister of Public Works.
Former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney said in a statement that he was saddened to hear of La Salle's death, calling him an example of a politician who was close to the people in his riding.