Mr. Speaker, we were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of the Hon. Gilles Lamontagne at the age of 97.
Mr. Lamontagne lived a very full life. He was a city councillor, mayor of Quebec City, a federal MP, the national defence minister, and lieutenant-governor of Quebec. He was a very accomplished but very humble man.
He bravely served our country as an airman in World War II. He was made a prisoner of war and survived the hell of Nazi concentration camps.
Mr. Lamontagne was elected mayor of Quebec City in 1965, and his governance style was quite different from that of other politicians. He preferred compromising to bickering and working together to confrontation. He preferred to show respect for his adversaries rather than trying to bring them down. Indeed, he never had any political enemies.
It was in the winter of his life that he made a more personal contribution by providing direct assistance to hundreds of Canadians. As the public became more aware of post-traumatic stress and the problems associated with it, this World War II veteran generously offered his support to veterans.
Although he left his position as mayor in 1978, people in Quebec City continued to refer to him as “Mr. Mayor” as a mark of respect and affection, which was always reciprocated.
Goodbye, Mr. Mayor.