The former president of the Conseil du patronat du Québec Ghislain Dufour is no more. The information was notably made public by the employers’ organization, which paid tribute to him by means of a press release.
“Mr. Dufour’s legacy is indisputable because he is credited with founding the CPQ in its current form. By occupying the position of General Manager and then President and Chief Executive Officer, for nearly three decades, Mr. Dufour carried the voice of employers in pivotal years in the history of Québec. Long after he left the organization, he was always committed to our interventions. I am proud to be able to follow in Mr. Dufour’s footsteps and thus contribute to his enormous legacy for the economic prosperity of Quebec,” said Karl Blackburn, President and CEO of the CPQ.
Joined the CPQ from its inception in 1969, Ghislain Dufour was Assistant General Manager and Executive Vice-President until 1986. Then named President and Chief Executive Officer, he was the main spokesperson for the organization for 28 years. .
After leaving the CPQ, Mr. Dufour worked for the public relations firm National. In the years following his departure from the CPQ, he was honored many times. Among other things, he received the Gérard-Tremblay prize from Laval University in 1997 and the Jerusalem prize from the Canadian Jewish Congress the same year.
On Twitter, personalities paid tribute to him and conveyed their condolences to his family.
“A leader in the business and labor relations sector, Ghislain Dufour was a model of excellence, intelligence and generosity. The Conseil du patronat, the business sector and Quebec are losing a great builder,” wrote former Quebec Premier Jean Charest.
Very sad this morning to learn of the death of Ghislain Dufour. One of the great builders of the working world we know today. He has also been a valuable mentor throughout my lobbying career. Condolences to his family and loved ones. RIP Mr. Dufour.
Martine Hébert, Québec Delegate General in New York
Employers’ organizations also expressed their sadness on Monday.
“The CFIB [Fédération canadienne de l’entreprise indépendante] welcomes with sadness the death of Mr. Ghislain Dufour, a true builder and important representative of the Quebec entrepreneurial community. He was a key player in management-government relations. Our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. »
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of Ghislain Dufour, former president of the Conseil du patronat. His leadership and dedication to business and economic development in Quebec will be missed. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones, ”said the Federation of Quebec Chambers of Commerce on its Twitter feed.