One of the central architects of the new orientation adopted by the Ligue des droits de l'homme (LDH) in 1972 (towards a more egalitarian philosophy of human rights) was Maurice Champagne. Champagne’s background was typical of those attracted to the LDH. He was well educated, with a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Montreal in 1955, a Masters degree in medieval studies from the same university in 1957 and a second Masters degree in 1965 in French literature. Three years later he completed his Doctorate at l’Université de Nice in France in the field of child psychology. As with many of the LDH’s leaders, he was a professor for a short period of time and became the Director of Studies at Collège Saint Denis until he joined the LDH full time. Champagne had been elected Vice-President of the LDH in 1971 and was later elected president, a volunteer position he vacated in 1972 to become the LDH’s full time director. As evidence of the key role played by the LDH in drafting Quebec’s Charter of Human Rights in 1975, Champagne was appointed a Vice-President of the Human Rights Commission in 1975. Champagne committed suicide in 1998.

"Maurice Champagne, l'artisan de la Charte québécoise des droits de la personne, est décédé à l'âge de 62 ans. Il a mis fin à ses jours et a été retrouvé sans vie près de la tour de l'Horloge, dans le port de Montréal, après avoir laissé une note dans laquelle il faisait part de son désarroi. Maurice Champagne avait procédé à une réorientation majeure de la Ligue des droits de l'homme de 1971 à 1975, défendant l'école française contre la conception anglaise des droits civils qui avait prévalu jusqu'alors." [Radio Canada: http://www.radio-canada.ca/nouvelles/18/18436.htm]