ARCHITECT OF REFORM
Gérin-Lajoie dies at 98
The invaluable contributions of Paul Gérin-Lajoie to education and international aid were hailed on Monday by many, including politicians of all stripes. Following are some reactions to his death at 98 on Monday:
LA FONDATION PAUL GÉRIN-LAJOIE:
“The death of our founder saddens us all, and the foundation’s team would like to express its profound condolences to his family. The life he led remains a source of inspiration for us and gives us the momentum and the will to keep the spirit of Paul Gérin-Lajoie alive by continuing his work.”
QUEBEC PREMIER PHILIPPE COUILLARD:
“A character of historic proportions leaves us today. The Quebec of 2018 owes a great deal to Paul Gérin-Lajoie, who has left his stamp on his time and our history. In the name of all Quebecers, I offer my most sincere condolences to his family.”
HÉLÈNE DAVID, PROVINCIAL MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION:
“He made accessibility his mantra — accessibility to education. It’s really there that Paul Gérin-Lajoie will have had the greatest impact … Even after the end of his political career, he always made sure to intervene in the cause of education, not only in Quebec but everywhere in the world.
“A man of incredible determination — determination until the very, very end.”
SÉBASTIEN PROULX, PROVINCIAL EDUCATION MINISTER:
“How sad it was to learn of the death of Paul Gérin-Lajoie, one of the principal architects of Quebec’s education system.
“My most sincere condolences to his son François and to all his relatives. Au revoir, M. le ministre!”
FRANÇOIS LEGAULT, LEADER OF THE COALITION AVENIR QUÉBEC:
“Paul Gérin-Lajoie was a great Quebecer and he remains a source of inspiration for me. My most sincere sympathies to his family and loved ones.”
JEAN-FRANÇOIS LISÉE, LEADER OF THE PARTI QUÉBÉCOIS:
“With boldness, energy and talent, Paul Gérin-Lajoie guided a modern Quebec on the paths of education, culture, promotion of French and of international solidarity. A great man. A builder of the State. A humanist. A model.”
JUSTIN TRUDEAU, PRIME MINISTER OF CANADA:
“The enormous and historic contributions of Paul Gérin-Lajoie to public life and to education — in Quebec and the entire world — have helped to improve the future of so many young people and to strengthen our society. Sophie and I offer our sincere condolences to his loved ones.”
JAGMEET SINGH, LEADER OF THE NEW DEMOCRATIC PARTY:
“I am saddened to learn of the death of Paul Gérin-Lajoie, a dominant figure of the Quiet Revolution. His efforts to reform the educational system continue to have a positive effect on young Quebecers.”
GABRIEL NADEAU-DUBOIS, CO-SPOKESPERSON OF THE PROVINCIAL PARTY QUÉBEC SOLIDAIRE:
“Bill 60, tabled in 1963, decreeing the establishment of the Ministry of Education, is possibly the most important bill in Quebec history. Paul Gérin-Lajoie, as the first Minister of Education, knew how to lead this reform masterfully. He is the true father of our free publicschool system.”
MARIO CARDINAL, AUTHOR OF PAUL GÉRIN-LAJOIE: L’HOMME QUI RÊVE DE CHANGER LE MONDE
“Gérin-Lajoie, we speak of him in Quebec, but he is known everywhere. Go to Senegal; go to other countries in Africa, for example: What he did is extraordinary. And not only for boys but also for girls: He did so many things for girls in Africa. In many, many countries, it’s considered a waste of time for girls to go to school. But Gérin-Lajoie fought for it.”