Posted yesterday at 12:00 p.m.
Respect and openness
Never, since I became interested in politics, have I been so inspired by a politician. We felt in Mr. Lévesque a deep respect and an openness to others that none of his successors unfortunately showed, regardless of party. He has great accomplishments to his credit that have made us proud to be Quebecers. Not fake “pride” used as a helium-filled slogan! A deep, real pride that made us feel “like a great people”.
Ghislaine Nadeau, Quebec
Humanism and altruism
Humanism and altruism, that’s what René Lévesque left me as a legacy! Tangible proof that with such values, too rarely observed among our politicians, we can succeed in mobilizing and making an entire nation dream. A man who embodied his deep roots with passion and humility!
Louis-Philippe Bertrand
A head of state
Above all, I remember that René Lévesque was a head of state. I can’t wait for our politicians (that is, our prime ministers) to become real heads of state and not courtiers of an electorate in search of some advantage.
Nicole Godbout, Gatineau
The sincerity of man
In the spring of 1980, I was in the last year of my BA in organizational psychology at McGill University and I attended a lecture by René Lévesque at the Stephen Leacock Hall. On the eve of the referendum, the climate was a bit tense on campus. When he arrived in a crowded room, some booed, others politely clapped. Giving his speech in English for nearly an hour, Lévesque made a plea for Quebec independence, but also on the importance of the English-speaking community and its role in a sovereign Quebec. What impressed me the most about this event came at the very end of his speech: despite a fairly cold reception at the start, René Lévesque received a standing ovation from the audience. The people present, even those who were hostile to him, realized the man’s intelligence, passion, honesty and sincerity. I was quite proud of being a Quebecer and of my premier.
Daniel Mercier
Enforce
He will have taught me to be proud of who we are and to make myself respected. I miss his charisma, his authenticity, his sincerity terribly. An exceptional man.
Diane Asselin
An inclusive Quebecer
I never supported Mr. Lévesque, I even fought him during the 1980 referendum. Despite everything, I know how to recognize this great gentleman who knew how to give confidence to Quebecers and to the Quebec state. His government left its mark with progressive policies. Mr. Lévesque will always be recognized as an inclusive Quebecer. And I will never have bad words for him. I encourage you to visit the Espace René Lévesque museum in New Carlisle, you will learn a lot about the history of Quebec.
Denis Piche
nationalization of electricity
It is ironic to note that it was as the founding leader of the Parti Québécois that René Lévesque had the greatest impact on Quebec politics, whereas it was as a Liberal minister that he carried out the nationalization of electricity, which is, and by far the most important achievement of his political career. This is his most successful legacy.
Pierre Dupuis
Pride
Pride. René Lévesque gave us a dose of pride, of confidence, in our minds and our hearts.
Michel Lefebvre, Montreal
Humility and common sense
What I remember from René Lévesque is the quiet strength of humility and common sense, in the face of the arrogance and federalist shenanigans of a bygone era…well, maybe not that much.
Jocelyn Jeffrey
The pride of our language
René Lévesque gave us back our pride, that of our language and that of our roots. At the time, I was working for an American company, Gillett, not to name it. All of the memos relating to us were only posted in English; no French translation, no respect for us. With René Lévesque, everything changed. He even gave us courage. Things changed later, despite the will of the leaders, who did not share the same admiration for him. Nevertheless, that is where everything changed everywhere in Quebec. Thanks, Rene.
Celine Boissonneault, Longueuil
Gatherer
He was unbeatable at bringing out a sense of pride and unwavering confidence in all of us. He was also a unifier and never forgot that Quebecers are a diaspora and a beautiful mix of different cultures. He believed in a sovereign Quebec, but not in a Quebec withdrawn into itself. A Quebec which, even sovereign, would continue to shine throughout the world. Even today, his words remain relevant. Thanks, Rene!
Donald Driver
genius visionary
When we take stock of his many accomplishments, both as a Liberal minister and as Prime Minister, we can only see how brilliant a visionary he was. Despite everything, the radicals of his party politically vandalized him and pushed him out. A sad end for the man who today is called the greatest.
Marcel Majeau