Quebec pays tribute today to “a brilliant man”, at the origin of the creation of the Videotron company and of a philanthropic foundation dedicated to fighting poverty in the province. André Chagnon, who racked up accolades over his long career, died last night at the age of 94.
Born in 1928 in the Ahuntsic-Cartierville borough of Montreal, Mr. Chagnon first followed in his father’s footsteps by training as an electrical technician at the École technique de Montréal. Endowed with an entrepreneurial spirit, he first founded the company ER Chagnon et Fils Ltée at the age of 31.
However, it was five years later that Mr. Chagnon made himself known to the general public by creating the cable company Videotron, which positioned itself as one of the leaders in this field in the decades that followed. In the late 1980s, the company also expanded its presence in the United Kingdom and the United States, notably by penetrating the wireless cable market.
The success of his business has earned André Chagnon many awards. In particular, in 2003 he received the title of “Major Quebec builder of information and communications technologies”, awarded by the Fédération de l’informatique du Québec. Then, in 2009, he was inducted into the Telecommunications Hall of Fame.
A rain of praise
In 2000, Quebecor purchased Videotron with the support of the Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec in a multi-billion dollar transaction. André Chagnon then created the Lucie and André Chagnon Foundation, a philanthropic organization dedicated to the prevention of poverty. It accumulates funds in order to redistribute them to various organizations throughout the province. Its financial capital stood at $2.3 billion as of December 31, 2021, according to the foundation’s latest annual report.
On Saturday, many public figures and politicians paid tribute to the career of Mr. Chagnon, who was named an officer of the Order of Canada in 1993, then of the National Order of Quebec 10 years later.
“Quebec is losing a brilliant and visionary man with the death of André Chagnon. I have consulted him since I have been in politics. I offer my most sincere condolences to his children Johanne, Claude, Élaine and Isabelle as well as to his entire family, “wrote in particular on Twitter the Premier of Quebec, François Legault, according to whom the” social involvement “of the foundation created by Mr. Chagnon to prevent poverty in the province “has been exceptional”.
1/2 Quebec loses a brilliant and visionary man with the death of André Chagnon. I have consulted him since I have been in politics. I offer my most sincere condolences to his children Johanne, Claude, Élaine and Isabelle as well as to his entire family.https://t.co/1JYmL3jjuX
— Francois Legault (@francoislegault) October 8, 2022
The leader of the Quebec Liberal Party, Dominique Anglade, also wished to offer her condolences to the family and loved ones of André Chagnon.
“Mr. Chagnon was a great man involved in many charities and founder of the Lucie and André Chagnon Foundation,” she wrote on social networks.
Today we lose a real monument. My condolences to the family and loved ones.
Mr. Chagnon was a great man involved in many charities and founder of the Lucie and André Chagnon Foundation.
Thank you Mr. Chagnon. https://t.co/EYN46mGDvb
— Dominique Anglade (@DomAnglade) October 8, 2022
“He has helped improve the lives of countless children. This is a huge loss for Quebec. All my thoughts are with his loved ones, ”wrote MP Mathieu Lacombe, who was Minister of Families during the first term of the Legault government.
What sad news. Mr. Chagnon has done so much for our little ones, with the Lucie and André Chagnon Foundation. He has helped improve the lives of countless children. This is a huge loss for Quebec. All my thoughts are with his loved ones. https://t.co/ARawr2r1BA
— Mathieu Lacombe (@lacombemathieu) October 8, 2022
Mr. Chagnon, who passed away peacefully last night, is survived by a large family, including his many children and grandchildren.