(Montreal) Politician André Spénard has died at the age of 72. Member of the Coalition avenir Québec (CAQ) in Beauce-Nord from 2012 to 2018, he was also mayor of Saint-Joseph-de-Beauce from 1996 to 2005.
Posted at 9:31 p.m.
Born in Thetford Mines, Mr. Spénard was notably a school guidance counselor, then director of several adapted companies from 1976 to 2010.
During his second term as deputy, he held the position of vice-president of the Public Finance Commission.
He has also been involved in several organizations, including Habitations du Moulin, an HLM for people with disabilities, and on the board of directors of the Beauce-Etchemin Health and Social Services Center.
He had decided in 2018 not to run for a new term in the National Assembly.
The current MP for Beauce-Nord, to whom Mr. Spénard had given his support, shared his thoughts on his Facebook page.
“It is with great sadness that I learn today (although knowing his condition in the last days) the departure of André Spénard”, wrote Luc Provençal, also elected under the banner of the CAQ.
“Unfortunately, the disease invaded him as soon as he retired from public life in 2018”, he added, speaking of a person with whom he had “developed a great friendship over time”.
Prime Minister François Legault reacted in the evening on Twitter.
“André was a proud Beauceron who devoted a large part of his life to public service. He was a straight man, a good guy. I spoke to him a few weeks ago. I offer my sincere condolences to his wife Odette, to his family and loved ones, ”wrote the head of the CAQ.