The tributes rained on the former mayor of Quebec Régis Labeaume, who was honored on Friday at the town hall fair, for his exceptional contribution to the national capital.
“Thank you for your audacity, for the unwavering love of Quebec,” summed up the current mayor, Bruno Marchand, in a speech felt, who paved the way for several others. A few minutes earlier, the mayor had welcomed his predecessor and the two had exchanged a few words and a cordial handshake, in front of the cameras.
“Exceptional course”
Mr. Marchand then welcomed the commitment of Mr. Labeaume, his “exceptional journey, despite the tests”, his defense of Quebec, and even his discretion, in the past four years, where he has kept his promise not to interfere in the affairs of the city. “It must have been tempting,” said the mayor, under the laughter of the audience, made up of former advisers, family and friends.
Photo Agence QMI, PASCAL HUOT
Several people who followed Mr. Labeaume’s journey took the floor. The journalist and author Karine Gagnon, who published her memoirs, underlined the love that the mayor had to the national capital and that the citizens made him well.
400th festivals
Daniel Gélinas, former director general of the 400EA festivals recalled that the decisions of the former mayor had a major impact on the success of this event. “The story will remember that moment. It will be written in fat and stressed that this decision was of incredible courage. ”
Photo Agence QMI, PASCAL HUOT
The former advisor and vice-president of the executive committee Julie Lemieux, reiterated the important contribution of Mr. Labeaume to culture, in Quebec, and the many programs and initiatives he has set up to continue to make her shine.
Finally, Boufeldja Benabdallah, co -founder of the Quebec Islamic Cultural Center, moved everyone, Mr. Labeaume included, when he recalled the great empathy and the sense of duty shown by the mayor, in the aftermath of the tragedy of the Great Mosque killing in 2017.
Difficult times
“In these extremely painful moments, Régis kept the strength to express this beautiful humanity he has in him by watching us go with from time to time, a little tape on the shoulder, who meant:” Do not worry, it will be better tomorrow. »»
Photo Agence QMI, PASCAL HUOT
Very moved and proud, Régis Labeaume accepted the distinction offered by the City, which he wanted to share with all his team, his friends and his family. If it was the Stanley Cup, he would record their names, he wanted to underline.
“I lived 14 wonderful years,” said the former mayor. I have never been as happy with my life as being here at Quebec City Hall for 14 years. My life would never have been satisfactory without it happening. ”
Mr. Labeaume thus received the Quebec medal and signed the city’s golden book.
The 3rd link and the CAQ to the twist
In impromptu of press before the ceremony, the former mayor was not tender towards the CAQ and his third link project. “I would tell you that I have never seen such a weak caucus in Quebec. I am not the only one who says it, everyone agrees on this. All this is distressing well. ” As for the third link project, he considers him stillborn. “I think you know my position. It does not just be done. What I find interesting is that we are close to the $ 10 billion that I had evaluated myself, “he said in a big laugh. He also “kept a little embarrassment” for everything related to Quebec City files, such as the tramway or the labor conflict with the Mechanics of RTC. “I’m outside that. I will not intervene on this. ” He will also not interfere in the upcoming electoral campaign or on candidates for the town hall.
The pain of the loss of his friend Fiori
“This is the first time that I have been talking about it. I found it very difficult, ”said Régis Labeaume about the death of his great friend Serge Fiori. He had talked to him again the day before his departure. “It’s appalling. He had had a difficult year. ” For him, the reaction of Quebecers was up to the importance of man. “He was a beautiful person, a good guy, a generous guy. […] I will miss it. We were a bit like little brothers. We never understood why we were friends. He said we were a caricature, and he was right, ”he said with emotion. He will participate in the national funeral on Tuesday for the singer-songwriter who played a leading role in the Harmonium group.
Politics is over
If he has eaten politics during the 14 years he spent at the town hall of Quebec, Régis Labeaume is now “satisfied”. “I have no adrenaline thrust in relation to politics. I was told, you guess a little. People say to me: “It can’t be that you don’t have a taste”. Well it can, because it happens to me. ” At 69, he says he wants to enjoy the time he has left. The death of his friend Serge Fiori at 73 years old has fueled this reflection, he maintains. “I live a very good life,” he said, filled by his many projects. He is notably a columnist in the press and participates in an animation project in Radio-Canada.
