100 years ago, to the day, a man was born in Charlemagne whose immense contribution would influence the history of Quebec. This exceptional man first distinguished himself as a talented psychiatrist, then as a humane and committed politician.
Posted at 2:00 p.m.
A prominent figure in modern Quebec, Camille Laurin has accomplished a great deal in terms of protecting and promoting French. It is to him that we owe the Charter of the French language, adopted in 1977. This structuring legislative text contributed to defining the foundations of an entire people. From our French Quebec.
“The distinctive language of a predominantly French-speaking people, the French language allows the people of Quebec to express their identity. It is with these inspiring words that the Charter of the French language opens. Camille Laurin has fully grasped the importance for the Quebec nation to define itself, to express itself, to distinguish itself and to unite around our common language.
Thanks to the deep conviction and persuasive force of Mr. Laurin, Quebec has acted to protect the French language, the heritage of our ancestors, allowing us today to assert ourselves, to exist and to grow as a French-speaking nation. in a predominantly English-speaking North America. There is no better way to describe the importance of Bill 101 for the Quebec nation than that of sociologist Guy Rocher. He rightly asserts that Bill 101 is a “Quebec dignity law”. This dignity, Camille Laurin still embodies it. We have a duty to remember him. Remember that the headquarters of the Office québécois de la langue française proudly bears his name.
One hundred years after the birth of this illustrious statesman and a few months from the 45and anniversary of the Charter of the French language, it is important to make a solemn commitment to maintain action at all times to enhance and promote our national language. The torch of the French language does not belong only to the State, but to all of us, individually and collectively.
This nation, that the Dr Laurin will have loved with all her strength, continues her unique – and exceptional – journey in America. Camille Laurin will have given us the desire to stand up and continue our march towards a Quebec of all possibilities.
We owe him a lot. And we will remember.
* Co-signatories and former ministers responsible for the French language: Nathalie Roy, Marie Montpetit, Luc Fortin, Hélène David, Diane De Courcy, Line Beauchamp, Diane Lemieux, Rita Dionne-Marsolais, Marie Malavoy, Jacques Chagnon