Michel Gagné was born in Edmundston (New Brunswick, Canada) in 1957. He attended primary and secondary schools in Sept-Iles, Québec. He earned his first bachelor's degree with a major in political science / foreign affairs from the University of Moncton in 1983. He went on to get a second degree in theology, by attending two universities in Montreal and Québec. His university studies extended over a period of 7 years, from 1976 to 1983. In 1980, he got married in Van Buren, Maine and became the father of two boys, 23 and 25 years old (2007); Jonathan the eldest, Matthew the youngest. Matthew has completed his B.A. in Religious Studies at University of Ottawa.  Matthew is now an Infantry Officer in the Canadian Forces. The eldest, Jonathan, lives in Edmundston while working, staying close to his childhood friends and family.

On December 3rd, 1997, Michel celebrated 25 years of service to the disabled people of Canada. In 1990, he received at Rideau Hall the highest honor to a Canadian; the Order of Canada. He also received the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation Medal in 1992. He was in connection with many American organizations with regard to ethics and bioethics issues, and was also in contact with the United Nations in New York. He was Vice-chairman of the Chess Federation of Canada for two terms, and also Press Officer for the World Chess Federation. As a writer, his first book "`J'ai Enraciné L'amour de Vivre dans Mes Années" sold more than 3 000 copies in the region of Edmundston. He has plans to write a sequel eventually. He has received the provincial Coat of Arms from former Prime Minister Frank McKenna and his third medal, The Commemorative Medal For The Golden Jubilee Of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II from Rideau Hall, Ottawa, in 2002.  Michel also received a Commemorative Medallion from former Governor General, the late Jeanne Sauvé.

The following persons and organizations have paid tribute to his role as human rights activist in New Brunswick and in Canada:

1. •Prime Minister Jean Chrétien.
   

2. •Former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney.
   

3. •Governor General Roméo LeBlanc.
   

4. •Lieutenant-Governor Marilyn Trenholme Counsell.
   

5. •Former Governor General Raymond John Natishshyn.
   

6. •Social Affairs Officer for the Social Policy and Development Division of the United Nations, Mr Akiko Ito.
   

7. •Former Lieutenant-Governor Gilbert Finn.
   

8. •The Chairman of the New Brunswick Human Rights Commission.
   

9. •The Premier's Council on The Status of Disabled Persons in New Brunswick.
   

10. •By acclamation from the Legislative Assembly in Fredericton (twice).
    

11. •Michel Gagné's name and biography is also included in the "Book of The Canadian Roll of Honors" (This book was presented to the Queen Elizabeth II and to all the Embassies around the world.)
    

In Edmundston, Michel has been:

1. •Vice-chairman of Atelier Rado Inc. and in charge of their government liaison.
   

2. •Vice-chairman of the Board of Directors for Café Rencontre.
   

3. •Chairman of La Ligue D'échecs du Madawaska.
   

4. •Treasurer and member of the Board of Directors for the Societé Louis-Napoléon Dugal, a regional component of the SAANB.
   

5. •Vice-chairman, then chairman of the Regroupement Socio-Culturel et Récréatif Inc.
   

6. •Founder and manager of the accommodative transportation system, Mobile Plus.
   

7. •Town councillor for the City of Edmundston.
   

Michel was instrumental in obtaining many awards for the City of Edmundston, such as the national Five-Star Community Award from the Department of the Secretary of State of Canada which was presented at the Federation of Canadian Municipalities convention held in Montreal.  The provincial Minister's Award (twice) and the Department of Tourism award which were presented in Saint John and Fredericton. He received honorable mentions for his voluntary service from, among other, Edmundston Fire and Rescue, City of Edmundston, Municipal Security, The Canadian National Institute for the Blind, the municipality of Sept-Iles. Former mayor J. Pius Bard has bestowed upon him the honorary title of Chevalier de la Republique of Madawaska. He is also the only person in the Madawaska region to have an officially recognized record in the Guinness Book (1990).

Defender of cases (work advocate) with the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission of New Brunswick and its Court of Appeal, with the Canada Pension Plan and its Court of Appeal.  He has won cases all the way up to the federal courts in Ottawa with the collaboration and recognition of specialists such as psychiatrists, orthopedist, physicians and legal experts.

Michel has two successful children, Matthew and Jonathan.  His youngest son Matthew is an Captain in the Canadian Forces, as an infantry officer and his eldest Jonathan is a sales representative in Shippigan, NB for fishing supplies.  Michel is also the proud grandfather of four grandchildren, all girls!  Ainslee, Lylah, Allysa-Anne, and ... another on the way.