Mr. Speaker, early yesterday, distinguished journalist Marcel Desjardins passed away suddenly. He was known as a hard worker, passionate about news, driven by a love for his profession, a hard-nosed journalist, a man of integrity and, above all, one committed to freedom of expression.
At work and elsewhere, people said he was motivated by a belief in a better society.
On Radio-Canada yesterday, many of those who knew him spoke of his conscientiousness, his respect for teamwork and his generosity.
For the past several years, he had worked at La Presse , where he became vice-president and assistant publisher. He started his career at Le Droit in 1967. In 1970, he joined La Presse and, in 1974, he was named bureau chief for the National Assembly of Quebec. In 1979, he became chief news editor of Radio-Canada's television network.
To his family, the staff at La Presse and his fellow journalists, the members of the Bloc Quebecois extend their condolences.