One of the great builders of Quebec, the founder of Videotron and philanthropist André Chagnon, died in the night from Friday to Saturday, at the age of 94.
Mr. Chagnon “passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loved ones,” the family said in a statement.
An electrical technician, he began building his Videotron business in 1964 when he purchased a small Laval cable company, Ahuntsic Telecommunications.
Photo taken from the documentary Top of the line
Cable installation trucks in the 1970s.
However, it took until 1980 for the company to become a true leader in the field, with the acquisition of Cablevision.
The arrival of Télé-Métropole in 1986 propelled Groupe Vidéotron to the top. The channel, which has now become TVA, was then the leading private channel in Quebec.
Archival photo
Handshake on July 5, 1986 between André Chagnon and the CEO of Télé-Métropole, Roland Giguère, during the purchase by Videotron for $127 million of what is now TVA.
André Chagnon’s company has also made a name for itself thanks to Superclub Videotron stores and the creation of Videoway, the first interactive TV service in North America, in 1990.
The businessman has received numerous awards for his achievements, including that of Quebec’s Great Builder of Information and Communications Technologies, awarded in 2003 by the Fédération de l’informatique du Québec.
Significant philanthropist
The founder of Videotron has been involved in many charities helping the poorest.
When his company was sold in 2000 to Quebecor, he set up the Lucie and André Chagnon Foundation, which seeks to prevent child poverty.
The Chagnon family has invested more than $1.4 billion in it, making it the largest family foundation in Canada.
Mr. Chagnon was made an Officer of the Order of Canada and of the Ordre national du Québec and received honorary doctorates from McGill University and HEC Montréal.
The public sphere reacted quickly to the departure of André Chagnon.
“He is one of the craftsmen […] taking charge, here in Quebec, of our communication tools. Innovator and go-getter are attributes that describe him perfectly,” said Pierre Karl Péladeau, President and Chief Executive Officer of Quebecor.
Political reactions
“Quebec is losing a brilliant and visionary man with the death of André Chagnon. I have consulted him since I have been in politics, ”said Quebec Premier François Legault.
“Mr. Chagnon has done so much for our little ones […]. He has helped improve the lives of countless children. It is a huge loss for Quebec,” continued the outgoing Minister of Families, Mathieu Lacombe.
The leader of the Quebec Liberal Party, Dominique Anglade, thanked him for his involvement in the community.
“Today we are losing a real monument. […] Mr. Chagnon was a great man involved in many charities […] “, she wrote on Twitter.
– With Camille Payant