Many Quebec politicians and dignitaries gathered in Laval on Saturday afternoon to pay their last respects to former CAQ minister Nadine Girault, who died of lung cancer last month at the age of 63.
“Nadine was a particularly endearing woman, who was proud of her Haitian roots, who was open and took everyone’s ideas, listened to them and tried, basically, to serve the common good”, testified the Premier of Quebec François Legault, at the entrance to the Espaces Memoria salon in Laval, Saturday afternoon.
Many Quebec ministers and politicians, from the Coalition avenir Québec as well as opposition parties, showed up for the occasion, transcending allegiances.
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PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, THE PRESS
Many politicians attended the funeral of Nadine Girault, including the Minister of Public Security, François Bonnardel.
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PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, THE PRESS
Environment Minister Benoit Charette
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PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, THE PRESS
The Minister responsible for Social Services, Lionel Carmant
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PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, THE PRESS
The Minister of Cybersecurity and Digital, Éric Caire
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PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, THE PRESS
The Minister of Justice, Simon Jolin-Barrette
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PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, THE PRESS
The leader of the Liberal Party of Quebec, Marc Tanguay
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PHOTO GRAHAM HUGHES, THE CANADIAN PRESS
Tourism Minister Caroline Proulx
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“Beyond the debates that we can have in the National Assembly, there are friendships that develop between the different parties,” remarked Mr. Legault in front of the journalists, mentioning the unifying personality of Mme Girault.
“She was a woman who was radiant, always in a good mood […], but it was above all a friend, said Mr. Legault. Obviously, it is much too young, 63 years old, to leave us. So we are all very sad, the big CAQ family, today. »
PHOTO GRAHAM HUGHES, THE CANADIAN PRESS
Prime Minister François Legault spoke at the ceremony.
A long career in business
Elected MP for Bertrand, in the Laurentians, in 2018, Ms.me Girault served as Minister of International Relations and La Francophonie, as well as of Immigration, Francisation and Integration, during the first term of the Legault government.
She had previously had a great career in the business community, recalled Mr. Legault. Before entering politics, Mr.me Girault had held the position of vice-president of business development for the Fonds de solidarité FTQ and worked for the Royal Bank of Canada, Desjardins Financial Security and BMO Financial Group. She was also involved in a large number of boards of directors.
As Minister of International Relations and La Francophonie, she enabled an economic shift to support Quebec businesses in accessing foreign markets, added the Premier.
“As much in her riding, in Bertrand, as in her position as minister, she was a hard worker to whom Quebec owes a lot,” he believes.
Gone too young
Last July, Mr.me Girault had announced that she would not be in the running for the October 2022 elections due to her state of health.
In 2019, then in 2021, it had to suspend its activities. It was in 2021 that François Legault had entrusted Immigration – a portfolio she had held since 2018 – to Jean Boulet to lighten his task due to health problems.
The funeral ceremony took place in private, without the presence of the media. On Friday, at the same place, members of the public were able to offer their condolences to the family and loved ones of the former politician.
With The Canadian Press